I sat down today with Bruce Anderson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Blockbuster On Demand, to answer a few of your most frequently asked questions about our digital service.
What is the difference between Blockbuster On Demand and Netflix’s digital service?
The primary difference between us and Netflix is that we’re focused on new releases, and Netflix isn’t. The vast majority of Netflix’s streaming content is a combination of TV shows and older movies.
Most of our digital movies are available to buy the same day as the DVD and Blu-ray versions. That’s becoming increasingly true for digital rentals, as well. So for example, we’ve had Couples Retreat available for streaming and downloading since February 9 when it was released on DVD and Blu-ray. We’ve had The Hangover and Star Trek since they came out, but as of today they’re still not available to stream from Netflix. Years can go by before a movie is available from Netflix — Erin Brockovich came out 10 years ago and you can’t stream it from Netflix.
Our goal is to offer all the movies our customers want most without them having to pay a monthly fee and wait.
Nothing that hit theaters in 2010 is out digitally yet, but we’ve got a bunch coming. In the meantime, here’s a list of the top 10 movies in 2009 (from boxofficemojo.com):
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hangover
Star Trek
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Paul Bart: Mall Cop
Angels & Demons
Terminator Salvation
Every one of those movies is currently available to rent and purchase from Blockbuster On Demand except Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which is only available to purchase. Paul Blart is also the only one on the list that’s available to stream from Netflix.
Another key difference is that we offer a download option for our customers. This is really great for customers who travel with a laptop — you can download The Hurt Locker to your laptop and enjoy it on your flight or road trip, since you don’t have to be connected to watch. Literally, our customers can watch digital movies on planes, trains, and automobiles (oh yes, we have that movie too!). Downloads also let you build up a library on your PC that you can watch on your Xbox (via home network) or put on portable devices like certain Archos players. Through our relationships with HTC and Motorola, our customers will soon be able to download to smartphones. You can’t do any of that if all you have is streaming.
Why do we charge for the service, instead of making it part of our movies by-mail subscription (like Netflix did)?
Again, it is all about new releases — we want to bring our customers the latest movies and the latest movies are only available on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Movies generally aren’t available through a subscription until they broadcast on TV, at which point you could probably stream them from Netflix, but even then they aren’t free because you have to pay a monthly fee.
Why doesn’t Blockbuster On Demand work on a Mac, and are there any plans to have Mac compatibility in the future?
Initially, our primary focus was to get service going on blockbuster.com. Later that focus shifted to making it work on TVs, Blu-ray players, and other consumer electronics. Now that we’ve established those channels, our goal is to bring Blockbuster On Demand to the Mac later this year.
Why do you delay the release of digital rentals as opposed to digital purchases?
Short answer: we don’t. Longer answer: The studios set availability dates, not us. Some movies are available to us for digital rental and purchase the same day as DVD and Blu-ray, while others aren’t available to us for digital rental until a couple of weeks later. For example, The Time Traveler’s Wife came out for digital rental and purchase on February 9, but Saw VI was available for digital purchase two weeks before digital rental.
When are you going to put Blockbuster On Demand on all the other internet-connected Blu-ray and TV brands? What about game consoles?
Stay tuned. You’ll see many more electronics brands carrying Blockbuster On Demand this year. The game consoles are more challenging, as Microsoft and Sony would rather operate their own digital movie stores than partner with us. We believe we can help them rent and sell more movies, so we’ll keep working on the relationship.
Follow-up: why not just do what Netflix did on the PS3?
We could do like Netflix did (make a BD-Live disk for the PS3), but we’d rather work with Sony than work around them. This wouldn’t help with Xbox though, because that console doesn’t do Blu-ray.
Any final words?
We’re bringing our customers the movies they want, where they want them, and when they want them.
It’s a shame that it comes to this. I used to love going to blockbuster and rent dvds when i was younger. Times have changed to online streaming and blockbuster will kill itself eventually. If netflix can offer online streaming why can’t blockbuster? Please Bruce just think about online streaming and still offer rent fees for new releases. What is better having money flowing in every month consistently or have random purchases once and awhile? It seems like it would be good for blockbuster and us the consumer. Its a win win situation. i love you blockbuster but netflix is getting my money . . .
i’m seriously considering going to netflix, im tired of not being able to stream movies on my ps3, i love watching movies when its convinient to me not the for the movie rental companys. Pleas blockbuster get with the new age dont let your stubbornness destroy you, make the needed changes to compete, keep and gain new cliental
This is a really poor excuse and explanation on why you charge $4 per movie you stream. You just used sad word play and kept repeated new releases, this is pointless. Your company had a chance to buy out Netflix, when they almost went bankrupt, and now they have blown past you in the media world and are unable to catch up. This is fail idea and will never work, in 10 years people will have forgotten that Blockbuster even existed. The last Blockbuster store in my town is about to go out of business, because of your board of directors and their greed. If the company would stop worrying about unit price, compared to volume, the company would recover, but keep doing what your doing, because it will never work.
Definition of idiot in the dictionary: The repetitive attempt at something without changing any of the variables. In other words trying the same thing over and over and thinking it is going to change.
Blockbuster = Epic Fail
I actually think most of you are missing the point. What Netflix does is charge you for something most of your cable companies does for free. I don’t know how many people have cable but I do, everything I can get at Netflix for $8 a month I already pay for through my cable bill. Check the free titles on demand you’ll see an intense library of the same stuff. Netflix in essence is hurting studios and the consumer. Notice how they raised there prices by a dollar a month (not super big deal) but give you nothing extra? They say they are working to get more streaming rights but I have two friends who just graduated and work with Universal now. The studios will never give Netflix most privileges for streaming because it makes them no money. Streaming was cool at first I thought I was really getting a deal. Now it’s finally hit me. Most of the stuff on there isn’t all that great and is doubled up by my cable bill. Or I can watch free on Hulu? I have a commercial but hey free, right? Free isn’t always better. We stopped renting movies at stores and that cost Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery to go under. Yay for +10,000 people being thrown back into the job market with unemployment already bad. Oh yeah it also caused massive job loss in studious, warehouses, and shipping companies. Oh and talking about Blockbuster being greedy? Your switching to a company that employs roughly 600 salaried employees. Oh and they’ll raise prices again next year, for no reason. Greed isn’t any argument you could win.
Are you kidding me??? No streaming video to game consoles??? Bruce, your “final word” above could not be any more inaccurate! You don’t bring movies to the customer when, where or how they want them. Give me a break and get with the times!
My money is with Netflix.
well the final days of blockbuster as we know it are upon us! Now with the stock being at 11 cent a share and netflix share at 224.00 a share they come up with the genius idea maybe we should put ourselves up for sale. Wow who thought of that ….maybe it was the same person who said folks would rather pay 4 bucks a movie then to pay 8 bucks for unlimited movies…even if the movies are not the newest releases netflix gives customers choice choice to watch a tv show choice to watch a movie and not have to worry about per movie charges. I’m not a businessman but stevie wonder could see that netflix is the best deal going. Blockbuster how could you be so blind as to not realize folks have less and less money to afford a single movie for 4 bucks folks are struggling to pay for food each month …the one solice for most is the ability to come home and turn the tv on and pull up netflix and gather the family together with popcorn and watch some movies …..that is priceless….well i bet the person that buys blockbuster will offer what netflix offers pay one price and view all you want..it’s the only way to go….anything else will fail just like blockbuster is doing now…goodbye old blockbuster and good riddings….EXCELLENT JOB NETFLIX KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK….
As a business owner/manager, I suggest that you look at it this way. The average entry level user is going to compare it this way:
OPTION A:
$12/month for 1 disc @ a time, allowing for 5 in-store exchanges/month and blu ray at no extra cost with many new releases available 4 weeks ahead of the competition
vs
OPTION B:
$10/month for 1 disc @ a time, allowing for unlimited streaming of select titles (including the Starz network) and the option to add blu ray for $2/month more (total $12/month)
So, it’s pretty clear that you have two competitors who are doing everything they can to differentiate themselves from one another. The most obvious difference is whether you want to wait 4 weeks to see new releases in order to have streaming of movie libraries built in at no extra cost. Also, if you don’t need blu ray, there is a not insignificant price difference ($24/year).
Speaking for myself, I don’t want to deal with in-store exchanges/returns, so that has no weight in my decision. Also, speaking for myself, I have tried both services, and I am and will continue to stay with Option B (Netflix). My reasoning: I am a busy person who loves movies. I figure that I waited for the movie to go through the theaters before coming out on disc, so what’s an extra 4 weeks? (I know some people can’t wait, and that is the only thing, it seems, that would keep any subscribers loyal to Blockbuster.) However, I can wait, and I like being able to scroll through countless old titles to stream instantly without getting charged $4 extra per title to watch them. Plus, I save money ($24/year) on DVDs right now, though I just picked up my first blu ray player, so that may become a wash
In summation, I believe Blockbuster would be better served to go head to head with Netflix and try to beat them (with either features or price) than to work so hard to differentiate themselves from Netflix by givng some features and taking away others. From the posts I’ve read above and elsewhere on the internet, it seems that most of the consumers out there would agree. Even if Blockbuster gave you the exact same features as Netflix at the exact same price, I strongly beleive that they could convert a large majority of subscribers due to the fact that most new releases are available 4 weeks earlier with their service. (It would be a “no brainer.”) However, with the present differentiations in services, Netflix is my winner hands down.
Well Blockbuster, You gotta get with it. I think it’s cool that I can get movies on my phone but I’m not gonna pay 4 bucks or buy it for however much. I think it should be a monthly fee like Netflix. Then I can’t even watch a movie on my Mac ??? Netflix has got my money for a few years now. The only thing they are lacking are newer movies on stream but who cares if i can watch movies all day, all night for 8 bucks a month. If I spend 8 bucks at Blockbuster I get what ??? 2 movies ??? Do the math !!!
I originally went with Netflix years ago, then BB came late to the party with a better deal for me, so i joined them then stayed around for a while, then i eventually dropped my plan to less at a time with no in store rentals. Then pops up Redbox, which is really easy fast and cheap, plus I can browse and reserve the movie i want right on my iphone before i even go to the kiosk. But now with the combo of Redbox and steaming Netflix on My PS3, works for Me, so Im heading back to Netflix full time. BB you are falling behind the times with your inability to see into the future and your greed, It was good while it lasted, Sorry Block Busted!
I have Netflix right now, but I would love to switch to blockbuster if it wasn’t for the fact that Blockbuster doesn’t stream to ps3, wii, or Xbox 360… In this new age Blockbuster has fallen behind the times in marketing themselves to either of these companies and Netflix is trying to push for a contract to keep blockbuster out for a long time. If Blockbuster doesn’t make a move soon then they will be on the same route as Merrill Lynch, Zale Corporation, RadioShack, ECT… and we will once again see another giant fall because of their unwillingness to grow and change. So my question is “Why hold back?” Not making a move at all is much worse then admitting defeat…
It is painful for so many when things go wrong. It is not fun to watch nor fun for those effected.
Today, my BB store friends told me the store is closing. I have the 3 movie mailer plan, unlimited in-store swaps. They are near by. I enjoy walking there to exchange my mailed DVD’s for in-store DVD’s.
There be two stores open and now I will have to drive at least 5 miles each way to areas I never go to do in-store swaps. So, do I burn up $2 to $3 in gas for the privilage? Nah…BB is not a good enough reason to drive to these locations.
It appears I must enlist in BB’s streaming/download to learn the cost. NOT!! The BB blog tells me I have to pay a per item rental fee and I am not even sure that I can even view it on my TV from my PC. I hate watching movies on my PC. I am reading here I will have to pay as much a $4.00 per flick? FORGET IT! I have pay on demand HD cable.
Looks like I will need to be switching to one of the other home movie companies pretty soon.
My best wishes to the BB people losing their jobs, especially my friends at the BB store right down the street from me. I will miss them.
Blockbuster will kick ass if they stream. Even if it cost a few bucks more. Blockbuster needs to make a move fast. I’m a loyal Blockbuster customer sence early 1993 and one of the store near us is closing. I have their gold rewards card and have enjoy the free game or movie rentals. To show how loyal I am I just sign up for the home on demand plan at lease the trial for now and I’m buying a new blu-ray player the works with BB,and other on demand. If you guys at blockbuster need to make cut back, stop closing your stores and start fireing your board of fools.
It’s like a bad movie, you guys have spy’s killing you from the inside.
I wish I had the money to buy you out. But wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which come first. Well good luck BB. Don’t wait to long to make a move , even if all avenue are close make your own road.
Some people like me don’t really have plenty of time to watch movies from the mail and send them back. What would be great is instead of mailing movies through the mail which costs money for BB or maintaining brick and mortar stores, they should look into offering a type of membership with purely on demand. But, rather than paying for each title, I would rather pay a simple monthly fee. For instance, $12 for 10 new movies per month. When you finish the 10 movies, you won’t be able to download a new movie anymore. If you don’t download 10 movies, it rolls over to the following month. However, there should also be available a few free old movies or TV shows or the ability to re-watch the 10 new movies. To me that would be the ideal service.
For those people who are strictly into either netflix or BB, who are more than likely the cardholder or one of two cardholders in their household: There are positives and negatives to both sides. I was a blockbuster card holder at about 14, renting games and movies. Stopped renting(religiously) and started buying around 16. Then I tried out netflix after I got my 360, but it wasn’t enough for one main fact, I enjoy gaming. It became a toss up between bb and movie gallery and movie gallery won because their membership and store clerks/staff w/e, were up to my standards, a sort of relaxed friendly atmosphere. Gallery closes down and I am back at bb trying to use my new by mail/in store account only to be ignored by some rude little goth posing emo high school girl, and then with her little snobby wtf do you want attitude pisses off 2 customers in front of me. If it was not for the fact that $5-$10 to rent one game by mail seemed a bit high, I would have canceled my account over the phone after I walked out cursing. I look at at it like this I love both movies/series and gaming, streaming is a nice plus, but as of me even using the in store part of my bb account.. FUCK that, the 2 women in front of me and my gf wanted to choke that chick and the next blockbuster is 20miles out.
As of by mail rentals bb has games and movies but still half-assed(20/30 of my list is unavailable or short/long wait). Netflix has streaming locked, and gamefly has a screw-loose and will most likely be following blockbuster out to the curb on its ass. So im paying $20 less without a quick daily exchange or decent IN-STORE customer service, but I haven’t had a dry video spell yet where I’m waiting for something decent to watch because most of tv is the same old reality drama bullshit, but wait there is also redbox for a quick $1 fix. So far I have read bitch, complain, please, cmon, wtf, make sense and do something. The fact is the US was built on and with services, they provide the service and you pay for it(food, utilities and more), and almost every company that provides a service for entertainment, or anything for gadgets in digital format is a drug dealer, and no matter who you get it from its almost all the same shit just a different time or a different place and almost the same amount but not exactly what you expect for the price you payed. So its as simple as get wtf you need and move the fuck on, or do wtf you have to do and stfu.
My first post contained a typo corrected here. If the moderator is listening, please use this post instead.
Hmmm, a few good comments interspersed among a lot of bad grammar, spelling and language. Actually, I think both Blockbuster and Netflix rental plans have merit, and I subscribe to both. I had a Netflix 3 discs plus streaming video subscription. However, I recently changed to Netflix 1 disc plus streaming video plan and subscribed to Blockbuster’s 1 disc plus 5 in-store exchanges plan. Yes, I can do the math, but with Blockbuster’s in-store exchange I receive about the same number of movies per month for about the same cost. And I have more options overall. I enjoy both the convenience of online rental and unlimited streaming video via Netflix and browsing the shelves and obtaining new releases a month sooner at Blockbuster. Furthermore, Netflix does not have all of the titles Blockbuster has available online and vice versa. You can have both, so why make such a big deal out of Netflix versus Blockbuster?
A few quick points because unlike some people apparently I’m not here to write a novel.
1)If you want TV shows and some movies, get Netflix,
2)If BB would stream to the ps3, with a monthly flat rate it would kill, although if anyone really decides to put their mind to it, wait for it..
3)DID EVERYONE FORGET THAT EVERY TV SERVICE NOW OFFERS PAY PER VIEW??
If I want a new movie without going to the store, guess what, I’m not going online and trying to get it onto my TV.. I’m using my remote and watching it in about 30 seconds flat.
Blockbuster, just give up and go home already. Welcome to the digital age.
Just signed up to download movies, because Blockbuster is the only source (today) for Megamind.
Half hour later: time to cancel my subscription. Neither my Sony Blue Ray NOR my Roku allow me to access Blockbuster.
This is the very definition of a bad business model. You have a product I want. I pay for it. You can’t deliver.
I have a monthly plan with BB that has worked well for me.
I could walk to my neighborhood store and do my 5 in store exchanges. Now the store is closing and I need to decide what to do. I’m not going to drive across town with gas at $3.75, so the benefit of in store exchange is gone. Because I’m already paying $18.00 a month for 3 movies at a time, I don’t want to spend more to stream them. I wish BB would allow me to stream and have have mailed movies for a monthly fee.
Sorry for writing a novel!
I have the Total Access 3 @ a time monthly plan w/ unltd. in-store exchanges, and a free rental coupon good for a new release or game and I am paying $19.99 per month. This “grandfathered” price combined with the ability to rent Blu-ray, or games by mail for free, more new releases, and having a better selection with slightly faster mailing service than Netflix (in my area) makes BB worth it for me. The problem is my local BB is closing as of April and the next nearest is 5-6 miles away. Not exactly convenient or cost effective for in store exchanges or rentals anymore, but for me, I think the value still outweighs what a Netflix/Redbox combo for movies and games would provide.
I heard on the radio this morning that if I sign up for 12 months of Blockbuster by Mail in my local store that I’d get a free blu-ray player. Does anyone know what the terms and conditions are? Do I have to pay for 12 months in advanced? What if I decide to cancel the subscription in six months?
I have an even better idea… all the coporations get over their dumb differences and come together and work as a team to benefit the customers (us). How bout they team together and include the production companies/studios in the making up of an ultimate movie/tv show experience. They could name it Blockflix (chuckle). They charge a set price determined by their companies as a whole to stream movies the DAY they are released…. you can even pay a few more dollars if you would like 1 to 3 DVDs,games,or blu-rays sent in the mail (similar to BB and Netflix right now.) Then companies get the precious money they want and we get a great experience. I know most of us would be willing to pay a few more dollars to see every movie stream instantly. However the chances of this ever happening are slim and if it does it will be 5-10 years in the future whenever one of these companies actually wises up. Until then… I’m going Netflix cause you can’t beat their price and streaming movies rock!!!
Sounds to me like ALL BB stores are closing? I have the 2 disc out at a time with 5 exchanges per mo. I like that I can go right up the street and get a movie right away rather than waiting for the mail. I am also a VERY happy Netflix subscriber and I just learned the BB store in my town is now closing Apr 14th and the next closest is 35 miles away! Well BB you just lost me as a customer! Only reason I stayed wuz in store exchanges..Take the store away and that = FAIL…Sorry you need to step up like Netflix or you will ALL be in the Un-Employment line!
I was a devoted Blockbuster customer until they recently changed their store rental policy from 5 day to 3 day. I had a lucky opportunity to try a free month of Netflix and Blockbuster at the same time and here is what I have discovered. Netflix is a bit quicker with delivery but yes, Blockbuster has new movies first. That said, it isn’t always about new movies and Netflix has a much deeper back catalogue. Example-I have received several BBC shows from Netflix that Blockbuster does not have in stores or through home delivery. Add to that, I can stream movies for my kid on my PS3 or Wii and there really isn’t any contest. Now that Blockbuster has new owners, they need to step up into the digital age. All this talk about wanting to work with not through a company is just smoke and mirrors to cover the fact that Netflix out negotiated Blockbuster on everything but new releases. If they don’t create a new model and fast, they will be done and it won’t matter that they used to get new releases first. Since streaming is not really available thru Blockbuster (face it-if you aren’t streaming through game consoles, you aren’t streaming to most homes) as it is with Netflix, they should offer a less expensive home delivery option. I would absolutely consider just paying for streaming at Netflix and home delivery from Blockbuster if the cost for home delivery without streaming was adjusted. I hope decisions are made and announced quickly before we have all gone to Netflix.
Bring blockbuster to playstation and I will switch to Blockbuster.
Netflix is the better deal.. They’re library is getting huge. They have complete seasons of shows with no commercials. Hulu Plus was a major disappointment. And as far a new content availability, Amazon has all those movies and even some pre-theatrical releases if I wanna watch new movies on demand. My roku player was the best investment I ever made. Amazon + Netflix = Everything. I don’t even watch my cable TV anymore. I used to spend a $1000 a year with blockbuster. Now they receive 0 from me. That’s not ven including all the late fees the raped from me over the years. They should re-evaluate their situation.
Still no mac solution? These FAQs were created in March of 2010. “our goal is to bring Blockbuster On Demand to the Mac later this year.” It’s now 14 months later and still nothing. It’s no wonder Netflix is doing so much better.
We offer Mac support via streaming: http://www.blockbuster.com/streaming
Well, we have been Blockbuster customers for a long time now. We used to have Blockbuster On-Demand (the original 2wire box) that was the biggest piece of … in the world. We then signed up for the DVDs in the mail (2 at a time). While Blockbuster claims to have new movies faster, they are never available and most of our movie queue consists of “very long wait” or “unavailable” titles. We are now looking to get rid of cable completely and basically try to stream everything. We have a Sony blu-ray DVD player and we just got a PS3. We are extremely disappointed that Blockbuster is not compatible with either of these two devices. I feel like we have given Blockbuster every chance to keep us as customers, but sadly we can’t stick it out any longer. The improvements are just not coming fast enough.
I’m staying with Netflix until someone else offers streaming via Playstation, Xbox, Wii, etc. AND offers better selection.
Blockbuster could easily remake themselves into a front runner once again by implementing what Netflix does and improving on it, but strangely they don’t. I can’t see how ignoring the streaming through all the most popular devices will ever let you catch up to the company who does.
I love the fact that BB also incorporates games with their movie selections, a process i wish Netflix would employ, but until BB allows streaming through the major consoles then my time and money will stay with Netflix.
With the new Netflix price increase, I’m sure this is a huge opportunity for Blockbuster to poach disgruntled Netflix customers. I’m a gamer and am something of a videophile, so I love that Blockbuster offers Blu Ray and video games in the subscription price. I’ve also noticed that Blockbusters OnDemand selection has current movies that I actually want to watch. The only thing that has prevented me from switching over TODAY, is the fact that I have no compatible streaming device :( I have a PS3 & an Xbox 360. It seems an irony to me that Blockbuster rents games through their subscription, but doesn’t yet support streaming through game consoles.
In conclusion, as soon as Blockbuster streaming is offered through Xbox OR PS3 (without a price increase), I will switch THAT DAY!
Oh, and I can’t use the current Xbox 360 way of streaming because I use a Mac.
Unfortunately Bruce Anderson is clueless. If he was able to offer online / on demand streaming for the PS3 or Xbox360 he would start eating into the main portion of Netflix customer base. I personally havent ordered a DVD for over a year. I watch or search for shows/movies. I was going to switch to blockbuster today but couldnt see PS3 support.
I am happy, like many to pay $10 a month for this.
Thanks,
I was a Blockbuster Online customer back in 2004 when it first started. Back then, I switched over from Netflix because Blockbuster was offering unlimited in store exchanges as well and the price was right. Then came the price hikes and the limiting of the in-store exchanges. Netflix introduced streaming, so needless to say, I returned to them. Now I’ve been offered a 30 day Blockbuster trial, so I signed up in light of Netflix’s coming price hikes and was hoping to be pleased with the service. So far it’s disappointing. I thought it would be worth it due to the games and Blu-Ray discs without an additional fee. However, I’ve been disappointed so far. All of the games have a long wait and the discs take several days to arrive in the mail (my Netflix discs arrive in one day). The unlimited in-store exchanges would be a nice addition…if it wasn’t an inconvenience to find a store that’s still open. It’s great that you have new releases available for streaming, but your OnDemand service doesn’t support any devices I have and I’d rather watch a movie on my HDTV than my laptop. Also, if I want to pay per rental I can just use the CinemaNow service that’s available through my Blu-Ray player. I enjoy the old movies and TV shows that are available to stream on Netflix and it would be great if Blockbuster offered the same. As it stands, I’ll be canceling after the free trial is up.
Lately I have been getting restless with Netflix because I have watched my way through most of their selection so I have started looking into switching to BlockBuster. However, am I correct that they STILL don’t have a streaming app to the iPhone? It looks like their iPhone app only allows you to manage your queue. I stream movies and TV shows to my iPhone from Netflix everyday and that is a deal breaker! I can’t believe they don’t have a streaming app for iPhones yet. I will stick with Netflix because I use an iPhone and a Wii. Also, I love watching the TV shows on Netflix…so for now I’m not switching.
BB, despite openly courting Netflix’s disgruntled customers, you’re not really positioned to capitalize on the opportunity to steal them away. I came over ready to make the switch until I realized that you have no unlimited streaming option available, only on-demand/pay-per-view. People like to know what their bills are going to be every month so they can budget accordingly rather than having to add up every time they order a movie or worry their kids/others in the household may order them without their knowledge. You really, really need an unlimited streaming option. It would be nice if you also made streaming available to game consoles, iPhones, etc., as others have stated, but even if you do, the PPV aspect will still put people off.
Your dvd by mail program sounds pretty good, especially since you can also rent games and make exchanges in stores, but a lot of us who are taking a good look at what we’re actually paying for now that Netflix is raising their prices are realizing that we no longer use the mail option enough to justify the added expense, so we probably wouldn’t use it enough from you guys, either. The fact of the matter is that there is no viable competitor to Netflix in offering streaming + physical DVD’s and until that happens, a lot of people are going to stick with them no matter how much backlash they may be getting over the price increase. Yeah, their streaming catalog isn’t that great, but there is still quite a bit to watch, and who else even has any that’s supported on so many different devices? Step up and compete apples to apples and the Netflix refugees will *really* start pouring in.
Looking for you guys on Wii and LG DVD players (already own, how to install?) and I’ll consider switching – to get the disks, and stream movies for $10 is worth it in my mind. We often play cartoons for our children on stream and get movies on disc for the adults. Netflix doesn’t have everything on disc, for stream (Angels and deamons for example- left streaming about 6 months ago). Support more formats blockbuster and I’ll switch.
Not worth it for me, u have to pay for streaming one price on netflixs yet, u have to pay for every movie u want to watch on blockbuster, glad we lost are store to family vid, sory bb, if I want to “rent” I’ll walk to the vid store, other wise that I’m stayin with netflix for the “want to watch something different then cable” ty
I’m sick of these 1980 repeats from Netflix……if they don’t fix their problems I will soon transfer to blockbuster and use my laptop to play movies on my tv..l don’t need my game council for streaming movies it just makes it convenient
missing the point.if your paying $8.00 a month for netflix & then say your cable has the same shows /movies for free I need to know 1 thing who’s paying the cable bill because it’s more than 8.00 & just basic cable will not show all that netflix shows & it’s still more than $8.oo streaming for 8.00 & you can watch anytime you want with the avilable movies/cable cannot match that
Our Blockbuster in Arkansas City, Kansas just posted signs today saying they were closing and all inventory is for sale. No more rentals. I did the monthly thing, paying $32.63 a month for unlimited rentals (3 at a time, no late fees). They took $32.63 out of my account on the 15th and posted no rentals and closing on the 30th. How would I even begin to get back half of my money for the last half of the month.
I can’t afford an xbox so it would be great is blockbuster
added streaming to a Wii cuz that I do have I loved streaming from netflix but because of there price raise I no longer have them I would love blockbuster but can’t cuz they don’t stream to the Wii
I just saw your tv ad for the new BB trial offer. but why, I use netflix everyday. for 8$ a month. as far as I can see bb is finally going the way of hollywood and all the other stores. oh well guess I will go watch a movie on my wii, So long bb!
Ready to switch… but gotta have PS3 streaming!!! Please!
The answer is both. You can get Netflix streaming for 8$ and then you can get 1 movie at a time for 9.99 on blockbuster. U get access to new releases and Netflix streaming is available too. My biggest problem was newer releases were not available with net flix. I would end up paying blockbuster store at least 10$ a month.
Must Have streaming capability on the PS3 WII and XBOX, You have it for Droid X why not gaming systems I’am a truck driver and after watching the road all day it would be nice to enjoy a movie on a TV screen other than a Cell phone
I was a Netflix customer for years. Since I purchased a PS3 for my hubby for Xmas last, I had to find an affordable solution for the games for it. Since we cannot afford $60 for one game, or if I rented one I would end up spending $1.50 per day to rent, and then he wouldn’t want to play, or didn’t like the game.
Blockbuster has handily filled that gap for me! I am an avid gamer myself, and being able to have a game delivered to my door and play it as long as I want is absolutely a dream come true for me!
Not having to spend extra for blue-ray dics is an added plus, albeit I am eagerly looking forward to being able to stream/download onto my 250 gb system.
Two thumbs up, Blockbuster!
I am a current customer and I am cancelling my service unless I can be promised PS3 streaming soon!!!
any word on ps3 streaming that is the only thing stopping me from getting bb
Any updates on when BlockBuster On-demand will be available on LG Blu-ray players? I would cancel my Netflix and switch over to Blockbuster, but the lack of LG support prevents me from doing so. Thanks!
piggy backing on all comments above. I was ready to switch today until I realized no unlimited streaming option available! I am able to stream through my blue-ray which is nice – but I will not pay 3.99/movie to stream.
You really, really need an unlimited streaming option.