Update on Digital Content

I posted a while back about all the new stuff we’re doing with digital content, and I wanted to update you good people now that some of it has launched.

We’ve been working on so many cool, techy things lately — movie rentals on TiVo DVRs, rentals and purchases on Samsung electronics, sharks with lasers on their heads, and transporter technology so I can beam from place to place like Captain James T Kirk. Since the status of the last two is classified, I’ll stick with TiVo and Samsung.

BLOCKBUSTER On Demand on TiVo
Last week, we rolled out BLOCKBUSTER On Demand on TiVo DVRs. That means you can now rent and watch movies and TV shows from your Series2, Series3, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL boxes. Prices range from $2.99 for older movies to $3.99 for new releases.

How do we do it? Well, it involves the internet, as well as some other technical stuff. I believe beams of light are in the mix, somehow. It’s all very complicated.

All content is in standard definition for now, but we’re working on getting HD going. If you already have a TiVo box, you just need to do a software update to get the service.

Here’s more info.

BLOCKBUSTER On Demand on Samsung
BLOCKBUSTER On Demand was also released on Samsung devices last week. It’s available on newer models of Samsung plasma, LCD and LED TVs, as well as select Samsung Blu-ray players and home theater systems. You can rent or buy movies right from your Samsung device — rentals range from $2.99–$3.99, and purchases start at $7.99.

One really excellent feature is that you can start watching on one Samsung device and continue on another. So if you begin watching a movie on your Samsung Blu-ray player in the living room and only get halfway through, you can finish watching it on the Samsung TV in your bedroom (that’s just an example; I in no way know what kind of TV you have in your bedroom). It’s crazy, mindboggling wizardry, as far as I’m concerned.

More information.


We’ve got even more sweet stuff coming in the near future, including movie downloads on select mobile phones and a much-clamored-for iPhone app that will let you manage your online Queue. Stay tuned for details!