DailyTech - Blockbuster, TiVO Team Up to Offer Streaming Content

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Internet Blockbuster, TiVO Team Up to Offer Streaming Content
Michael Barkoviak - October 15, 2009 6:16 AM

13 comment(s) - last by R3T4rd.. on Oct 16 at 6:28 AM

Blockbuster and TiVo will work together to offer consumers even more streaming content

TiVo subscribers now have the ability to watch movies through the Blockbuster On Demand streaming service.

The two companies announced a working partnership last March, and will let Blockbuster sell and rent movies and TV episodes using their TiVo. The companies said more than 10,000 titles will be available, and prices will range from $2.99 for rentals and $14.99 for purchases.

This partnership is interesting because it shows agreements can be made through set-top box companies and streaming content providers. There was a bit of confusion as to whether or not all the companies would be able to play nicely in such an infant industry that will continue to evolve at a rapid pace.

Furthermore, it shows Blockbuster is serious about competing with Redbox. Redbox is available through the Microsoft Xbox 360, Roku Netflix Player, and other set-top boxes.

TiVo subscribers must have a TiVo Series 2 and 3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVR player. Blockbuster will also begin selling TiVo DVRs with broadband in retail stores.

TiVo also oddly enough supports the Redbox rental service, which is an interesting little nugget of information. It could prove interesting to see how many other companies in the industry begin to double dip.

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Too Late

By Mitch101 on 10/15/2009 8:58:33 AM , Rating: 4

This sounds like being too late to the game. Who doesn't already get something like this from their cable company or direct tv? Ive already paid enough stupid fees to blockbuster that even if they came out with the ultimate unit I would still fear getting billed for not rewinding my digital media content. I think they charged me fees for not rewinding DVD's. Crooks.

I picked up a 360 elite with a Dell coupon and the $50.00 rebate and might just drop my netflix subscription down to the $8.95 sub a month because were using the online option so much now the DVD's that arrive in the mail just sit there now. If they got more new release videos I could see this making a big dent in piracy. Why would you need to pirate anything when its instantly available and for $8.95 a month? I'm very happy with the quality and I'm renting titles I wouldn't have bothered to put in my rental queue. Very satisfied and impressed with Netflix on the 360.

RE: Too Late

By Spivonious on 10/15/2009 9:37:17 AM , Rating: 2

I agree, Blockbuster missed the boat on both mail rentals and online streaming.

My only complaint about Netflix after two years of having a subscription is that they charge $2 extra to get BDs. Still, even $10.95 a month is cheap compared to renting BDs at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video. The streaming looks great coming through my HTPC too.

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RE: Too Late

By Hiawa23 on 10/15/2009 3:55:51 PM , Rating: 2

I have had Netflix since day 1, & the $2 or $3 extra they charge for Blu-ray really doesn't bother me, as they don't force you to pay for it. I mostly rent DVDs anyways. I like the stremin also, that I also use on my 360, but Blockbuster seems to be too late to the game.

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RE: Too Late

By scud133 on 10/16/2009 12:00:49 AM , Rating: 2

BBuster has by-the-mail rentals, just like netflix, except they don't charge extra for blu-ray.

So it's the exact same service as netflix just cheaper.

Nobody seems to know this... they really need to advertide it better.

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RE: Too Late

By bhieb on 10/15/2009 9:43:46 AM , Rating: 1

I agree. This is akin to and AOL Yahoo merger. 2 dead companies trying too little too late. I used to have Tivo on DirectTv, but after that deal fell apart (and with the advent of DVR's from the providers) Tivo has become a niche, and blockbuster is slowly dieing to Netflix.

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RE: Too Late

By Hiawa23 on 10/15/2009 4:00:33 PM , Rating: 4

Redbox is available through the Microsoft Xbox 360

It's clear he meant Netflix, cause I have not seen Redbox on my 360.

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it is??

By kattanna on 10/15/2009 10:27:59 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Redbox is available through the Microsoft Xbox 360, Roku Netflix Player, and other set-top boxes.

while i havent really looked for it on my 360, there is nothing about it on my roku unit, nor any website for roku/redbox?

RE: it is??

By Quicksand Jesus on 10/15/2009 11:12:53 AM , Rating: 2

Same here, what are they talking about??

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RE: it is??

By wolrah on 10/15/2009 11:23:54 AM , Rating: 2

The author of this post failed, it's Netflix, not Redbox.

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Seriously, Redbox

By illuvatar81 on 10/15/2009 8:36:25 AM , Rating: 3

It's just amazing that the Xbox has RedBox available. And New RedBox settop boxes, when did those role out?

WOW!

How about Netflix, which you mention in the very next sentence.

RE: Seriously, Redbox

By straycat74 on 10/15/2009 8:52:55 AM , Rating: 2

Everyone needs to relax with all of the critiques. I come here to see if there is anything interesting, then I follow the links to the real story. This is a great news regurgitation service.

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Expensive Service!

By BWAnaheim on 10/15/2009 11:39:30 AM , Rating: 3

This is going to be one expensive service. Not only does one need to pay for the content, just look at the hardware requirements,
"TiVo subscribers must have a TiVo Series 2 and 3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVR player. "
All that hardware just to watch one movie? Hopefully the televisions have enough HDMI ports!

I believe the author meant to say,
TiVo subscribers must have a TiVo Series 2 or 3, or a TiVo HD or TiVo HD XL DVR player.