More than 5,000 BlackBerry devotees have signed an online petition aimed at persuading web and mail-order video company Netflix Inc. to bring its streaming service to the PlayBook tablet.

The petition under the heading “Netflix, Why the Hate?” was launched at the end of February on Twitter by Philip Whittle, who identifies himself as a PlayBook fan based in Dallas.

PlayBook maker Research In Motion Ltd.’s app development chief Alec Saunders in a Twitter post applauded the enthusiasm, but cautioned against appearing disrespectful to Netflix officials. A Netflix spokesman said the petition “would not change our development plans, which do not include BlackBerry at this time.”

The petition addressed to the California-based company reads, in part: “You’ve had enough time and no more excuses.

When I purchased my PlayBook I expected there to be a Netflix App on it from day one. I have paid for your services for years along with many of the other 70 million Blackberry users. Part of my expectation of you being my online streaming provider is that you will provide service to the devices I choose to utilize. Especially when you have the capabilities.”

Many supporters of the petition threatened to drop their Netflix accounts if the app is not allowed on the RIM tablet.

Netflix, with more than 24 million subscribers in the U.S., has said that it does not plan to support BlackBerry devices, including the PlayBook and has not indicated if a service agreement may ultimately be achieved.

Observers have speculated that Netflix is reluctant to offer its service on the PlayBook because of a comparative lack of apps on the device and its disappointing sales since last April’s launch.

The Netflix service is available on Apple Inc.’s iPhone and iPad and devices operating on Google Inc.’s Android software platform.

Read more about: