Blockbuster is launching its set-top box film rental service, in a bid to compete with US rival, Netflix. The MoviePoint player, developed in partnership with device maker 2Wire, goes on sale in the US from this week and offers pay-on-demand rentals rather than subscription services.
The device will retail for USD99, which, for a limited time, will include 25 pre-paid rentals. After this, films will be priced from USD1.99 each. Titles, which are downloaded to the box in DVD quality, can be played instantly or stored for up to 30 days. While users can pause, fast forward or rewind films, titles must be watched within a day after playback has started, reports Reuters.
The launch marks a revamp of Blockbuster's online services, which includes film rental download site MovieLink.com. This currently offers 10,000 titles and will be integrated into the main Blockbuster site next month.
The set-top box service reportedly launch with some 2,000 titles. These include new films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Smart.
The launch marks an effort to compete with rival set-top box services, by competitors such as Netflix and Apple. Netflix launched its service in January 2007, in partnership with Roku and currently offers 12,000 titles from its catalogue on a pay-monthly basis.
The rival, which started as a mail-order DVD rental firm, also has deals with TiVo, Microsoft's Xbox and Blu-ray makers Samsung and LG. Blockbuster is reportedly in similar talks with game console makers and Blu-ray makers to expand its reach.
"To be successful, a broadband video offering needs to deliver movies that people want to see, in the quality they expect, with minimal setup requirements," says 2Wire CEO, Pat Romano. "We are thrilled to help bring this service to the living room, providing immediate access to high-quality movies directly on the television set."
StrategyEye's related companies: NetFlix, Apple, Inc., Blockbuster, 2Wire
