This is actually a pretty awesome feature. I have my TV set to turn off after four hours, my DirecTV reciever for four, my PS3 for two, and my 360 for two. That way, when I fall asleep watching Netflix, the devices suffer minimal side effects. This feature alone is why the PS3 is my Netflix device of choice. Until an update last year, the 360's lowest time was 6 hhours. The PS3 had way more options. I HATE coming home from work to find my daughter's TV and Wii on and it's showing nothing but a Netflix menu for who knows how long. It's a waste of energy and it could potentially harm the console AND cause bur in on the HDTV. To me, this was sort of a big deal.
Good to know the Wii U will offer this benefit.