Blockbuster joining online rental picture.

[Treebeard]

Looks like they finally realized they were loosing customers to netflix & walmart.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/biztech/07/21/industry.blockbuster.reut/index.html

[fugu]

Reading Antioco's comments made me laugh.

Asked whether Blockbuster's $24.95 a month in-store subscription pass compares well with Netflix's slightly cheaper online offer, Antioco said it is "a hell of a better deal," because his company offers unlimited numbers of rentals under the pass. While Netflix users rent seven to eight DVDs a month, Blockbuster's Movie Pass owners rent more than 10 a month.

So, doing some quick math:

Netflix: $22 per month / 8 rentals = $2.74/rental

Blockbuster in-store subscription: $24.95 per month / 10 = $2.49/rental.

Ok. Great for the consumer. But since he is making these comments to his investors, how is $2.49/dvd more profitable than $2.74/dvd? Oh yes, now I figured it out, blockbuster doesn't have to pay for shipping, but I have to pay for gas to get to BB twice a week rather than have the rentals delivered to my home. Boy, that is a better deal for us consumers! Jackass. This on top of the news that BB is arbitrarily canceling subs for people who rent too many movies on thier "Unlimited" plan.

Seriously though, more competition for online rentals is good, maybe it will cause Netflix to beef up their slow website and improve browsing. Sometimes i stop at Hollywood video on my way home just to browse the racks, since I get exposed to more new movies that way.

[BobV]

[quote="fugu"]Reading Antioco's comments made me laugh.

Asked whether Blockbuster's $24.95 a month in-store subscription pass compares well with Netflix's slightly cheaper online offer, Antioco said it is "a hell of a better deal," because his company offers unlimited numbers of rentals under the pass. While Netflix users rent seven to eight DVDs a month, Blockbuster's Movie Pass owners rent more than 10 a month.

WHAT? Thats not right fro me any ways... My aveage 30 day rental is 18. Where did they get their number?

[ViRaL1]

Which plan are you on?

[Mythos2002]

I don't think Netflix will have too much to worry about especially if Blockbuster's online service doesn't have a better selection than their stores do.

I haven't joined Netflix yet, but I plan to soon because Blockbuster has such a limited selection. They just about got rid of all of their VHS tapes. The problem is that they didn't get DVD replacements for those films because they said no one rented those movies that much. Well, maybe no one rented them because they don't rent VHS tapes anymore.

A big improvement for Blockbuster would be to improve their in store selection instead of jumping into online rentals in my opinion.

Mythos

[wulf109]

Unlikey to increase in store selection with declining rentals. Thousands of stores means mllions of DVD's. An online store can cover the territory with thousands of DVD's instead of millions. They would be seriously stupid if they didn't join online rentals. Name recognition alone should assure their success.

[illgamma]

i used the blockbuster serivce and would go about once or twice daily. so far i think ive rented well worth the 25$. the selection isnt great but its easier than mailing stuff

[Treebeard]

So far I have used Netflix & Walmart. I am not really satisfied w/ either as they are very sloooow getting movies back to you. Im sure I will give blockbuster a try at least.

[Wetmonkey]

http://beta.blockbuster.com/homepages/displaySubscriptionOffer.action

its 19.99 with 3 videos out at a time, and 2 free instore rentals a monthly

its easier to drive to a store, find the video out of a small selection, wait in line, pay, drive back home and do it all again.. VS. selecting the videos online, opening an envelope, returning the dvd into the envelope and placing it in the mailbox... MAX 5mins for those who cannt tie their own shoes vs an easy 30min trip. Pass me the cheeba your smokin cause my reality must be warped

[Wetmonkey]

So far I have used Netflix & Walmart. I am not really satisfied w/ either as they are very sloooow getting movies back to you. Im sure I will give blockbuster a try at least.

This will more then likely be similar turn arounds with blockbuster untell they get a large enough distribution network. I have had netflix for several years now. They placed a distribution center in tempe, az. This cut my turn around time to 3 days from 5-6. I mail the disc, they get it the next day mail mine out the same day and i get it the following. HUGE improvement and as fast as the USPS will ever be able to make it.

[BodaZoffa]

Check out Gameznflix.... cheaper than the rest.

Boda

[BobV]

Which plan are you on?

With Netflix basic plan ($23/month) and being able to have 3 movies out at once I'm able to view as many as 18 movies in a month. I've checked this number several time and it seems consistent (18 movies in any 30 day period). I like the plan...

BTW If I put a movie in my mailbox on Monday, they have it on Tuesday and normally send a new on out that same day. I receive the new movie quite often on Wedsday. (this is ture about 80% of the time.)

[handyguy]

I thought they already did this with filmcaddy.com ?

[ViRaL1]

I wish I was closer to a distribution center. I have an extra day in transit each way.

[sillyfaget]

How many morons drive to town just to rent movies from Blockbuster? I live in nowhere in Michigan, and there are still tons of Blockbusters, including one right across the road from where I work.
Also, I got over 20 DVDs per month on the 3-out plan at Netflix, though I think Blockbuster would be a better deal if they had a bigger selection, since you don't have to wait for shipping.

[handyguy]

I go to BB, but then its right next to Trader Joes. I need to see the box cause the box says its captioned or not & Netflix does not.

[sullen]

I lived in New York when they were piloting the unlimited in-store rentals. At that time it was $29.99 a month, but $5 off if you were using a credit card and letting the charge be automatic, and you got three movies at a time. I rented three movies nearly every day for about two months for myself and friends. Then I ran into the fact that they didn't have any more movies I wanted to watch. Classic example: Ed Wood. Most stores don't have it on VHS and NONE of them have it on DVD when it was recently released. I would love to watch it, but don't want to buy it necessarily. I was sort of surprised they got the Indiana Jones Trilogy when it came out since it technically wasn't a "new release." BB doesn't have Ed Wood on their online service either. BB is just too far for me right now and the max. plan you only get 2 DVDs for $25 a month! The good thing though is the Hollywood Video here is $3 for any movie for 5 days. Plus they sell Previously Viewed $25 for 3 as opposed to $20 for 2 at BB. I recently bought Return of the King, Matrix Revolutions, and a movie for my dad. Killer deal and guaranteed for 1 year.

[bbllc]

I just signed up. I am not impressed at all. The selection is to restrictive. I was expecting more, but hopefully that will change when the site goes live.
The 2 in store rentals included each month definately differentiates the store from other online rentals.

[nelson133]

In the catagories I prefer, Blockbuster is just inadequate. I got a gift card from my girlfriend and have had trouble finding enough stuff to use it on. I patronize Netflix primarily for the selection. I do wish that it was possible to get collections from Netscape in a group rather than one disk at a time. Having to wait several days to see all of Shaka Zulu , breaks up the story too much. Nyah Levi

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Blockbuster is a good deal if you live near the store.

[djmattyb]

Asked whether Blockbuster's $24.95 a month in-store subscription pass compares well with Netflix's slightly cheaper online offer, Antioco said it is "a hell of a better deal," because his company offers unlimited numbers of rentals under the pass. While Netflix users rent seven to eight DVDs a month, Blockbuster's Movie Pass owners rent more than 10 a month.

This is wrong. You don't get only 8 a month with Netflix, you get 8 out at one time. If you mail them back right away you can get 8 more 3 days later. I can keep sending them back as often as I want with no monthly limit, as long as I only have 8 out at one time. If I send my 8 back every 3 days, in a 30 day month, that means that 10 times I will get 8 new movies. 10 x 8 = 80 movies a month! Sound close to unlimited to me!

[ViRaL1]

Seven to eight is an average that they worked out based on 3 out at a time plan ($22/mo) and the average turnaround time for the Netflix distribution centers. Eight movies out at a time with Netflix will run you $50/mo. Granted seven to eight is a little low for us movie fanatics. I've gotten 18 in a month when I was really keeping up. I could do more if I didn't work so much.

[bbllc]

I recently signed up. There selection is not as wide or deep as Netflix's, but the turnaround time is the same if not better. Blockbuster has a distribution center in my city, while Netflix is approximately 70 miles away. So far, I am satisfied with Blockbuster. Also, the 2 in-store monthly rentals are a great addition that Netflix cannot compete with.

[Robbins1940]

But you have no controll over what they send you. They send you a selection of what you have picked usually you got to have 20 titles on your list and they send you 3 or whatever it is.

Least if you go into the store you can pick what you want to rent.

David

[ViRaL1]

Who does that? Netflix or Blockbuster?

[Robbins1940]

Screen Select - You need to have at least 10 titles on your rental list and they send you 3 of these for £14.99 per month. You have no controll over what they send you. Which means you could be waiting weeks for the one you want.

Tesco DVD Rentals - You need at least 20 titles on your rental list and they send you any 3 at a time. Again no controll over what they send you and it costs £13.87 a month.

Go in a store and you can rent what you like as long as its in stock.

David

[ViRaL1]

Netflix always sends you the next 3 on your list, unless all copies of something are checked out. They check your local distro first, then others. If no one has it then you get the next on your list after that.

[handyguy]

Use the coupon code: cooper
when you sign for BBV. Cause you get it for $17.95 a month that way. & also you get a 4 week trial, not a 2 week one. I haven't got any dvds yet, just said they sent them.

[Robbins1940]

Does Netflix exist in the UK?

David

[stiltman]

Use the coupon code: cooper
when you sign for BBV. Cause you get it for $17.95 a month that way. & also you get a 4 week trial, not a 2 week one. I haven't got any dvds yet, just said they sent them.

Thanks!