TiVo to bundle Blockbuster Online?

Our buddy Dave Zatz was poking around the TiVo store last night and stumbled upon an apparent, unannounced partnership not with Netflix, but Blockbuster Online. From the look of things, you'll be able to lock yourselves into a 1 year Blockbuster Online commitment for between $13-$15 per month over the cost of TiVo's current hardware / service bundles. Sure it sounds a bit promiscuous given TiVo's history with Netflix, but with that video-on-demand service postponed indefinitely and mean ol' Netflix looking to give Blockbuster a pounding in court, why not get a little on the side, eh TiVo?

[Gordy @ Apr 19th 2006 9:32AM]

What'd really be cool is if the rented/purchased movies could be downloaded right to your Tivo box. Heck, I'd buy one if that were the case.

[Michael @ Apr 19th 2006 10:26AM]

Awsome! i like blockbuster alot more then Netflix. Netflix screws there customers.

[Jason @ Apr 19th 2006 10:55AM]

Ugh. Blockbuster is not on my good list.

[John from Buffalo @ Apr 19th 2006 11:34AM]

#2 > Michael

I take it you work for Blockbuster, huh?

[Topmounter @ Apr 19th 2006 11:45AM]

Sad, I swore off Blockbuster a long itme ago.

I'll stick with Netflix.

[thispaceforsale @ Apr 19th 2006 11:53AM]

Unlimited movie rentals from a selection as large as blockbuster (or netflix) for $150 a year. Split that with roommates and this is an awesome, awesome deal.
Hell, the Criterions alone would make it worth it.

[Mischa Lockton @ Apr 19th 2006 12:02PM]

I'll take netflix and my Dish DVR, thank you very much.

Although I sometimes gripe at paying 5.98 per month when the hardware is sitting right there and the listings are in there anyway, I then remember that tivo users have to pay about $13/month. I guess Dish is going to pay royalties to Tivo, and eventually raise rates. By then I will sport a free-vo of some sort running on a mac-intel-mini.

Tivo you are soiling your brand's image if this is true. Netflix does not need to sue Blockbuster- because Blockbuster needs a lot more help with their queue logistics. I agree with the writer who theorized the lawsuit was more to further scare off Amazon than hurt Blockbuster- but who knows.

[Michael @ Apr 19th 2006 12:22PM]

netflix fucks u over if your a frequent renter havnt you heard fuck there was a whole 60 minutes or was it 20/20 on it... shit..

[glacia00 @ Apr 19th 2006 12:23PM]

I'm seriously considering Blockbuster anyway. I have been a netflix member for some time and the shine has deffinately worn off. I've seen the time to receive a movie once they claim they've sent it step out from 2-3 days to 7-10 days.

It's pretty clear they're playing fast and loose with the term 'sent'. Cry competition let slip the dogs or the movie war.

[Shoeman @ Apr 19th 2006 12:26PM]

ONLY of interest if this includes downloadable, DD 5.1/DTS video to my TiVo. Otherwise, Netflix continues to get my DVD rental money.

And thisspaceforsale, I seriously doubt this would be unlimited, even if it meant downloads!

[Mischa Lockton @ Apr 19th 2006 12:59PM]

I am tired of this throttling BS.

Most of you whiners are FULL ON PIRATEZ. Burn and return. Then whine about being screwed when you ultimately f#ck artists and creators.
Normal people with jobs can only watch so many movies.

Either way, I have heard if you complain you will be moved back up in priority. Anyway, I still get 1-day sends and always have, with very rare exceptions.

If you really feel that netflix has poor service- go try Blockbuster!

The netflix stock is spiking right now- I bet they have good news aside from likely great earnings.

[John from Buffalo @ Apr 19th 2006 1:53PM]

DVD Burning Rig: $250
BlockBuster membership 1 month : $25.00
Software : (cost) < $50
---- shrink/dvdcopy + dvd-decrypter
Ripping & Burning 150 movies a month : priceless

[Lee Gibson @ Apr 19th 2006 4:53PM]

Mischa, I've never burned a Netflix movie and I've seen the throttling happen on my account.

I use GreenCine now. They're smaller, and they're not as fast as NetFlix at their best, but they're way better than slo-mo NetFlix.

[Wry Cooter @ Apr 20th 2006 12:18AM]

Gordy,

How else could it even conceivably work? Is someone thinking Tivo would partner with Blockbuster or NetFlix just to push DVD rental by mail?

I guess that might work with some people that do not have web access, or refuse to order items over the web. Maybe Blockbuster intends to target that segment, that couldn't do Netflix if they tried, because they don't have a computer.

Congrats Tivo, you've become WebTV.

[Perrey Z. @ Apr 20th 2006 3:36AM]

I'm not the type that rent movies, i preffer to own them, but even i know that Netflix is far superior than Blockbuster. Last spring my cousin asked me what company was better for renting DVDs; Wal-Mart {Now defunt and thank goodness}, Netflix or Blockbuster i recommend her to Netflix in a heartbeat.

Wal-mart was a bully with no creativity or desire to create a customer base on their own. They were more interested in stealing any if not all business from Netflix using their infamous "practices". and Blockbuster is in the misleading policies and overcharging fees.

[c.Lake @ Apr 20th 2006 4:20AM]

Blockbuster over Netflix? Dumb. Cut-up and edited movies loaded with commercials, for $15 dollars more a month? Yeah... no thanks. I'll stick with Netflix.

[ty @ Apr 20th 2006 6:09PM]

i don't care who they partner with as long as i get downloads and no editing, if its bb i'll drop my 4yr netflix sub in a NY minute