Blockbuster Launches Internet Movie Downloads
To better compete with Netflix and others, Blockbuster video will debut a new service today that will allow customers to download movies from their computer via the internet. The service is “Blockbuster on Demand” and will require a box in order to utilize the new service. Customers can get the box free if they rent 25 movies in advance for $99.
Blockbuster will initially offer over 2,000 movies and TV shows during the launch, but will add more titles in the near future. The separating factor between Blockbusters new service and Netfix “watch instantly” service is Blockbuster will focus primarliy in offering customers new releases, citing “we are focusing on quality vs. quantity” says Jim Keyes, Blockbuster’s CEO.
Blockbuster on Demand is pay as you go, offering movie downloads costing between $1.99-$3.99 and customers will have 30 days to watch the movie and only 24 hours to finish watching once you start. Blockbuster will also feature high-definition video downloads.
How lazy are people becoming? lol,
nah seriously though, dont we use the internet to watch stuff anyways?
I like the pay structure, but the 24 hour limit is a deal breaker for me. My wife and I often watch half of a movie one night (starting around 9:30) and watch the second half the next night (again starting at 9:30). With only 24 hours to watch a movie, we couldn’t do that.
Yea, that 24 hour bit is a deal breaker. Apple has/had a similar limitation on their video rentals from the iTunes Store. I know I ran into the 24 hour limit once … and it did perturb me.
I do like the idea of the new releases available via this service … but I really don’t like the per unit pricing on video. It gets expensive REALLY FAST.
The business model is expensive, flawed and complicated. 25 movies for $99? Pay as you go for $2-4? DRM? 24 hours to watch then what–I have to download again? Silly. Netflix and Apple learned that subscription models are easy to understand and there’s no billing-stress on the customer. Customer’s loathe stress associated with guessing at how much their rental bill will be, particularly if they have spent more than would like in previous months.
Will companies like Concast require payment for using their lines to download the movies? I’ve heard them use that argument before when talking about companies like Google or Yahoo. I’m curious if they will go after Netflix and other companies because bandwidth is being chewed up.
We shouldn’t be using the internet for stuff like this I’m told (seriously, on my blog I’ve heard this a few times). We should unplug and go outside and socialize.
But keep paying for the service you are not using. These companies have revenue numbers to hit after all.
Netflix for the win. Tivo and amazon has this deal with the same price points and it’s a FAIL. It’s just too expensive compared to doing Netflix. Sure all the Netflix movies you get through the internet are old and the selection is sparse. Still coupled with the mailed DVD’s it is the best bang for the buck. Add a Roku box to the mix and you can watch them on a TV. My kids watch a ton of different shows and movies on the Roku through netflix. With Block Busters model you would be paying 1.99-3.99 every day your kids wanted to watch Meet the Robinsons. My son has watched MtR about 10 times in the last month. I can’t afford that with Blockbusters pricing model.
To me it smells like Blockbuster is trying to squeeze out as much cash from the consumer as it can. Netflix however seems to understand the market, the consumer and the future of entertainment with out the gouge.