Well, well -- what have we here? As Microsoft's
Xbox 360 skyrockets up the list of most wanted movie set-top-boxes and units like the Roku Netflix Player
hold the promise of incorporating HD downloads in the near future, along comes the flagging
Blockbuster to put up
a mild fight. In a move that's half baffling and half expected, the DVD rental company is reportedly looking to pump out a
movie STB of its own for the holiday season. That's according to CEO Jim Keyes, who said as much on a recent conference call with investors. Unfortunately, he passed along no other pertinent information whatsoever, though he did mention a "Blockbuster-branded widget on Intel-manufactured chips embedded in IPTV monitors" for next year. Good luck Blockbuster, you'll probably need it.
[Via
NewTeeVee]
posted Nov 10th 2008 10:12AM
they are still in business? how?
they should probably just license NetFlix tech :/
Who are their main competitors and rivals in the brick-and-mortar video rental market? I don't see any new Hollywood Video's popping up on the corner, taking their business away. Unless Netflix becomes so commonplace in the market of video rentals that they lose a lot of their market share; I don't think that they're going anywhere anytime soon.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/historic_blockbuster_store_offers
I interviewed at NetFlix and they insisted that they would always be ahead of the competition because... they just would be. I thought those would make great last words.
Concerning Blockbuster, I switched from netfix to blockbuster for the price and speed of returns (instantaneous if you use the store).
I see NetFlix as one of those overconfident startups that thinks they are invincible, a sure sign that a nasty fall is in their future.
@ bob
that is brilliant.
blockbuster online is great, im grandfathered in with 3 movies at a time and unlimited returns to store for like $17/mo, putting stuff in the mail is too much work, then there is all that waiting...
they should just partner with ps3 and forget making their own set-top, the playstation store rentals need work anyway
oh yes, speaking of dinosaur companies that need to go bankrupt.
none of them understands that they should release PC/ps3/wii software to play their content instead of creating a costly junk box that wont sell? guess managers cant give themselves enough bonus that way?
I'm guessing Blockbuster Online.
I've actually used Blockbuster Online for a long time, and like them a lot. For me personally, I like them simply because I use the in-store free movie/game rentals all the time (you get 2 of them every month). They're awesome for last-minute dates or when friends want to come over and rent a game. And of course you get the 3 movies out at a time deal thing.
I've got nothing against Netflix (although their watch online thing is looking very tempting). Either way though, how is this bad? You guys can hate them all you want, but I'm happy they're still here. Having only Netflix around (READ: no other mail-in DVD based competition) would suck.
Damnit, that was supposed to be a reply to bob sakamano's comment.
Have they done ANY consumer studies? Or did they just hire the guy behind the old CC Divx project?
Three letters for Blockbuster: L, O, and L.
And once again, Blockbuster has shown that the only way they know how to do business is to STEAL THEIR COMPETITOR'S IDEAS.
They did it back in the day as a brick and mortar store and they continue to do it today. It's like their unspoken mantra. I know, I'm a former employee (long, long time ago) and I was the dweeb who actually read the company newsletters. Corporate leeches they are.
Too little, too late. I was using blockbusters service up until Netflix started streaming on Macs last week. Top it off with Xbox 360 compatibility and I have no reason for the service in any way.
Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Never will happen. In it's effort of cost-cutting itself into prosperity, blockbuster got rid of it's entire development and support organization and is now relying entirely on 3rd party organizations for any new efforts.
Bottom line, nothing new, that requires any sort of technical involvement, will again come out of blockbuster.
I think its a bad idea to release a "blockbuster set top box"; partner with a company that already has a service and get it working on existing hardware so that people don't need to buy yet another set top box.
Just partner with NMT. Then they'd already have a ton of business in people's homes.
Ah, Blockbuster. You can always count on them to be 3 steps behind.
Blockbuster's new motto. Hey, Wait Up! ©
Their download service is ridiculous anyway, I'm a blockbuster online member and to "rent" a download is $2.99 on top of my membership fees.
The widget they have with intel is the key to the future of online entertainment, BB online is way better than netfix when it comes to DVD by mail, I had netflix and would brag about it but then I was given a gift card for Christmas last year for use online and it is so much faster compared to netflix. I am not a fan of watching movies on the pc , I prefer to watch on a 52 with surround sound. Oh, I tried to watch a movie I paid for online xbox 360 and I got the 3 red lights, I was so mad.
The widgets on the intel chip will be the best thing to happen to TVs. You will be able to watch NBC abc CBS episodes and rent blockbuster right to the tv without any set top box. It will be great as everything will be on the tv.
Anybody who says netflix is better just hasn't tried blockbuster yet.
I hate Blockbuster, but I love the deal I get. I was grandfathered in to the new plans and still have my 2-at-a-time + unlimited in-store exchanges for under $20. And archaic or not, I love perusing the store and bringing home an actual DVD case. The stupid part is that they still will get you on late fees for those in-store rentals... oh well, you take the good with the bad.
When I said I hate Blockbuster, I was referring primarily to the legion of retards that work there. I also really hate how stores separated by not even 2 miles are completely incapable of networking together. Three or four times I've returned a video to the "wrong" store as every time I end up verbally abusing someone a couple weeks later when I get charged for it.
One time I actually realized what I'd done within a couple days, but when I called the "wrong" store - I called the "right" store too - nobody could find it... for two weeks. When I basically swore on my grandfather's grave that I didn't have it anymore and one of the stores did, some little piece of shit actually told me, "maybe you should pay attention to where you are returning the videos and you wouldn't have this problem." He's unemployed now.
Technically he was right though.
I really would like to know who is running this company, because this is awful.... if they release a set-top box... this will be the last days of blockbuster.. start shorting the stock immediately.. I have been shorting the stock since back in September when it was $3 dollars.. and it's been a gold mine.. because one thing is clear to me, they have no idea what they are doing, just the fact that they wanted to buy circuity city show's that the people running this are clueless...
For one how hard is it to see that Netflix is their biggest problem, and to fight that problem they need to release a service like Netflix did on 360... but theirs should be on the PS3.
but instead, some rocket scientist at the company thinks they should come out with a set-top box, oh just what people need, another box to add to the cable box, and Tivo box... a blockbuster box. (are you serious?) This is like the dumbest move they could do.
The thing that surprises me the most is with all their mistakes they continue to survive which just shows how strong the idea of the company is and not the how good the leadership is.
For one the prices are a joke, their is so much they could do to really get some serious sales... For one add a one day video game rental system meaning - for $2.99 take this home check it out bring it back tomorrow, or hold it for the week for $6.99 by going online checking your cart and clicking extend.
Add all your customers to a credit card link - so they don't have to worry about cash, you can just bill the card, (of course give people a pin in-case they lose their card no one can just rent stuff) people spend more when they don't have to pay right now in cash. Add paypal and pay by phone. Make it as easy as possible to grab videos and go.
This list goes on and on, I could do this all day but I don't work for blockbuster, but if someone wants me to turn it all around and make blockbuster a super money making machine feel free to email me.
I'll even have my software company write the software that they can use on the PS3 to offer an amazing online service, with access to videos and game demos. -exclusive for blockbuster customers.
Back in the day, it was your friendly neighborhood corporation-eater Viacom that owned Blockbuster... I'm not sure if it still is today though.
(Oh, you know Viacom! CBS! Paramount! MTV! Comedy Central! VH1... and on and on...)
It was only a matter of time. Netflix was having too much fun with online content without any compitition. I use Netflix player on my Xbox 360 and it is pretty decent. In the meantime, get a free month of Blockbuster online using promo codes >> http://www.flexdeals.net/deals/index.php?page=blockbusteronline.
Its not the Roku Box that makes Netflix work .. its price ( $8.99 is the sweetspot ) and being on ALL BOXES ...ps3, appletv, xbox, The Popcorn Hour.
I would say all storefront video rental will eventually disappear ... why would anyone want to drive to a store and walk around looking at dvd boxes when its so easy to find and select entertainment without leaving the house?