Blockbuster again targets Netflix, readies streaming service

By on Sep 23, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Services September 23, 2011

Former home entertainment heavyweight Blockbuster is preparing to unveil a new streaming media service later today that will aim to take a bite out of Netflix’s future. While the company has made no official announcements at this point, invitations to a 1:00 p.m. Eastern press conference refer to a new service that is a “stream come true.” This is not the first time Blockbuster has chased Netflix in an effort to save its faltering business. The company introduced its “Total Access” service years ago — a spitting image of the DVD rentals-by-mail service that made Netflix the giant it is today — but the lack of a compelling argument and a string of terrible policy changes takes us to where we are today: Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy and was subsequently bought at auction by Dish Network. The firm’s Total Access service remains operational, though Netflix is doing everything it can to bury its DVD service, and now Blockbuster will take the next step in its attempted comeback.

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  • Anonymous

    It’s weird to even say, but Blockbuster has an opportunity for a comeback here. There are so many customers at Netflix wanting to jump ship, Blockbuster is in a prime position to steal them.

    I’d go right away if the content were good and they had an app on the PS3.

    • Anonymous

      No they don’t! Blockbuster’s been finished for years, it just took them sometime to realize it. Netflix has been ruining them since ’94.

      • Applesucksfatties

        Man… you are even branching out your moronic comments from RIM articles to other posts on iBGR.   I can’t wait to see what Michelle Bachmannesque comment you will post next. 

      • Anonymous

        94?….

      • Applesucksfatties

        Pay no attention to the idiot behind the curtain that pulls stuff out of his arse.   This self-proclaimed “tech junkie” is no more than an Apple loving moron.

      • Applesucksfatties

        Kinda hard to be ruining them since ’94… since Netflix wasn’t even founded until 1997.   Are you related to Michelle Bachmann…or is SBMobile her screen name on iBGR?

    • Anonymous

      I completely concur. Blockbuster already has license permits far beyond that of Netflix; reason why Netflix’s title selection sucks! I ditched Netflix after 29 days (before the free trial ended) because of poor title selection and found Crackle was better. I would gladly pay for Blockbuster if they could offer the same in-store titles online!!

    • wanorris

      Suppose everyone hates Netflix now. This seems like an overrated meme to me, but suppose it’s true. What does Blockbuster bring to the table that can’t be done better by Amazon or by whoever buys up Hulu? (Google, perhaps? Apple?)

      Plus there’s the whole thing where millions of people already have devices that play Netflix on their TVs  – all three major gaming consoles, set top boxes like Apple TV and Roku, some TVs and Blu-Ray players — but nobody currently has a box that plays Blockbuster streaming. Unless people no longer care about watching TV on their TV, that’s going to make it kinda difficult and expensive to switch, don’t you think?

    • AC

      You, sir, haven’t thought this through. If you are planning to drop cable and jump to Dish, where will you get the internet service from because Dish ain’t giving you internet, which is required for streaming!!!  Cable companies will charge you a premium if you get cable-internet without cable-TV.  In the same price difference you might as well get Netflix streaming.  Why do you hate Netflix??? It is still an excellent complement to broadcast TV.

      • http://www.facebook.com/applelover Tim Meesseman

        You, sir, don’t know WTF it is you’re talking about.

        First of all, I don’t even have cable. All of my TV watching comes from OTA and Netflix. Period. I’m honestly not sure why you’d assume otherwise. We’re talking about internet streaming, not cable/satellite.

        Secondly, I don’t hate Netflix. I’m just hoping someone comes along with some better content. Competition is good.

        Edit: Sorry about the different account. It logged me in with Facebook this time for some reason.

      • AC

        I called you “sir” and you started with WTF. Thanks!!

        nevermind the rest!!

  • Anonymous

    Match or exceed the streaming content of Netflix, at the same price or only slightly higher, Blockbuster, and we’ve got a deal. 

    • Anonymous

      I’d need them to exceed Netflix. Otherwise, where’s the compelling reason to leave other than that you just want to flip Netflix the bird on the way out?

      • Anonymous

        That’s half the reason I want a competitor. Increase prices without increasing content? Yeah, I’m ready to flip them the bird… just as soon as another competitor comes along with every episode of Top Gear. 

      • Anonymous

        flippin the bird. Consumers used to loooove Netflix. Then they got high on their heels and tried to pull one over, now they just look greedy

  • Anonymous

    The Dead eating the Dead? ….. On that note when is the Walking Dead season 2?

    • Guest

      October 16th 9pm 

      • Anonymous

        FanTASTIC!

    • Anonymous

      “I’m not dead yet!” – Blockbuster (with an English Accent)

      • Henry Earl

        You’ll be stone dead in a minute or two!

  • Thekingisback7

    I would love if they had a better steaming system with better content with a good price but we will see.

  • Anonymous

    Until Xbox supports Blockbuster streaming (or anyone else for that matter) it’s still a one company show.

  • Anonymous

    Blockbuster do it right or don’t do it all.

    1. Robust streaming content 
    2. Reasonable pricing 
    3. Send out DVDs to install service on Xbox and PS 3 (Netflix did this for the Wii)
    3. Call  to see if they will get you on the  TV in the next update
    4. Contact TV makers to add your service to Internet TVs 

    I will happily switch

  • Anonymous

    The biggest boost that Blockbuster Streaming will get is that every new Dish Network customer will get three months free. However as long as they maintain the retail stores without significantly growing sales revenue on that front, the Blockbuster unit will continue to lose money. Retail stores are simply a burden when trying to deal with RedBox and mail delivery. The stores would have to switch from a rental capacity to sales capacity but even that brings an entirely new set of competitors.

    The big threat to both will be DirecTV if they go forward with their proposed streaming service. DirecTV can market new services to 50 million customers. Compared to 23 million for Netflix and 15 million for Dish/Blockbuster. It is cheaper to get money out of existing customers than to enroll new customers.

  • Anonymous

    whoever adds porn will win

  • A_g_ness

    Blockbuster give me a good deal on the streaming service or even the same as Netflix and I’ll be on your website signing up for your service right after your announcement. Then i’ll flip my finger to Netflix on my way out with a big smile on my face!

  • James

    Stream come true? Sounds like a guy who finally passed his kidney stone.

  • Anonymous

    We will see

  • Anonymous

    I hope they do come back. Strong brand awareness makes it possible. But their brand image needs a total overhaul

  • Madvmax4

    And Dish network needs to make it available to their subscribers so you can control it with your Dish receiver like Netflix on the PS3!

  • Aziz Peregrino-Brimah

    YES!!!!!!!!!

  • Shim

    Blockbuster is going to need to be able to provide streaming to iOS, Android, and PS3 for me to even consider them.

  • http://twitter.com/EwanTouma Ewan Touma

    Most small cities no longer have a movie rental place, how are they suppose to rent 3D movies? I wonder if NetFlix will ever get into the 3D business and if it’s even possible with streaming.

  • Anonymous

    Dear Blockbuster, your name means something!!  Act on it!!  Please kick NetSux’s asssssssss!!  You used to be all over the place.  Take the back the lead!!  I will choose you over Netsux if you do so quickly–and benefit your future loving customers!  We are ready for you.  Make us happy please!!  Have a streaming, dvd/blu-ray, and games available and you will win my love—but for a reasonable cost!  Streaming selection MUST be excellent availability as well!  The MORE customers you have, the positive feedback you get from customers which leads to word of mouth, the MORE money you make!  Just base price reasonably and do not increase until after 2 years, at least and you will be back on track—even if you don’t have stores—I will still accept you like I used to accept Netsux!

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