Redbox and Verizon's Netflix killer goes into testing, launching later this year
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What the service lacks in naming originality it may make up for in utility – the idea is to supplement Redbox’s DVD rental service with an expanded set of streaming video over Verizon’s network. Of course that won’t make it so useful to you if you aren’t on Verizon, and Big Red is expected to use this as a differentiator of their 4G LTE network. Since Big Red apparently owns almost 2/3rds of the shares in the joint venture, that’s probably not going to change any time soon.
The service will apparently look to extend Redbox’s offerings, rather than compete with their disk rental model. As a result new movies will continue to be made available at physical locations, while popular catalog releases will be available for streaming. While that may seem less exciting, it does make some sense for Redbox, since they can’t keep a very large collection of movies in any one kiosk – this will let them deliver many more popular titles to customers with instant streaming.
The service is entering alpha test status today, and is still on target to launch sometime in the latter half of 2012. Any takers out there?
source: Redbox Instant via The Verge
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16 Comments
1. Jay_F posted on 24 Jul 2012, 16:27 2 0
I can't help but laugh when a company proclaims their product as the "killer" of their competion's massive product. Reminds me of all the phones that proclaimed themselves as the iPhone killer back in the day. Redbox has been quite successful with it's DVD rental service, but to challenge Netflix's domination of the streaming market is going to take some serious effort.
8. RORYREVOLUTION posted on 24 Jul 2012, 18:46 1 0
Exactly and if you are just RENTING DVDs, it's not really the same as Netflix. Where you pay ONE monthly bill and watch whatever show/movie you want. If you are using Redbox, you have to purchase each movie/tv show. Am I not correct on that?
So really, it's not killing anything.
11. KingKurogiii posted on 24 Jul 2012, 21:06 0 0
i'm not completely sure i understand this but if i've got this right since this is a subscription service you would have unlimited streaming and Kiosk access for one flat, monthly rate like how Netflix USED to be. if that's the case then even for say $20-$25 a month it would be worth because unlike Netflix Redbox has the latest movies like a week after they're released in retail and it probably will be that high considering how high the cost of having those digital streaming contracts would be.
14. jroc74 posted on 24 Jul 2012, 21:33 1 0
If it is a monthly fee for unlimited streaming....I may just get rid of Netflix.
Netflix has fell off with movies lately. And stuff I wanted to see was never available for streaming, but DVD only.
13. jroc74 posted on 24 Jul 2012, 21:31 0 0
Companies never really proclaim their product the next "killer" of the competition.
Even for the iPhone.
The media, writers, bloggers, forum folks do that. Companies just want folks to know "Hey, I have a similar product I want yall to use, too" And maybe....in the process you will like it better.
3. Immolate posted on 24 Jul 2012, 17:10 0 0
What are you going to give me that Netflix streaming doesn't give me, and what will it cost?
Hulu and Amazon Prime are other Netflix killers that couldn't. It's all about the content. Netflix doesn't thrive off the movie market, although you can easily get your $8 from them. They are the place to go for TV series, and that's the name of the game. Netflix didn't get there overnight. Also, Hulu and AP have exasperating interfaces that make them less user-friendly than Netflix, at least on the Roku. Not saying that Netflix couldn't improve with broadened search criteria (actor, director, year of release, by user rating anyone?), but at least the interface is intuitive and fairly direct.
12. KingKurogiii posted on 24 Jul 2012, 21:09 0 0
the big dogs are Hulu Plus and Netflix. i have them both. Hulu offers more up to date television episodes and Netflix offers more dated movies. where Redbox Instant would fit in is offering the latest movies with a subscription service not to mention access to their Kiosks but this will be for more heavy movie watchers since it's already just a dollar to rent a hard copy of the movie for the night.
4. cptbeatstix posted on 24 Jul 2012, 17:37 0 0
Netflix won't be killed be redbox. Netflix is what caused the initial downfall of blockbuster. But, it won't be a killer right away, it's going to take A LOT of time before it gets to that point.
5. dabuck84 posted on 24 Jul 2012, 18:11 1 0
The funny thing about this is they are boasting this as a netflix killer but they took away the unlimited data from new customers and people that upgrade there phones ( unless you buy it straight out ) so what good is this going to be when you blow through all your data after a few movies. Sure you can use wifi but if you are doing that most of the time you are close to a computer, tablet, or tv that has Netflix on it. The best thing in my opinion was for them to keep the unlimited data but guess they needed to make more money with the overages. Lol
10. downphoenix posted on 24 Jul 2012, 20:58 0 0
maybe they will have the movie streaming not count against the data total.
16. dabuck84 posted on 24 Jul 2012, 23:06 0 0
Hate to say it but that won't happen because everyone knows all business are in it to make profit and I'm not knocking them for it at all because more profit equals a more advanced network. I'm lucky enough to be on the unlimited plan and hope to keep it that way.
6. appleDOESNT.com posted on 24 Jul 2012, 18:15 0 1
Redbox is the cheap b&m solution, teaming up with Verizon can't be good for consumers lol
7. warriorbeats posted on 24 Jul 2012, 18:18 1 0
If they have alot of the same movies on the streaming service as they have in the redbox locations i can see this being a very successful.
9. narutoban posted on 24 Jul 2012, 18:55 2 0
The writer of this article is the one who said that it is a Netflix killer. People need to chill. All of media and bloggers are the who writes it is a Netflix killer or Ipad killer. None of the companies will tell you that it is another product's killer. The writers need to have a nice catch phrase so readers will read their article.
15. jroc74 posted on 24 Jul 2012, 21:36 0 0
T H A N K Y O U!!!.
I wish I woulda read all the way down here....I seemed to have copied your post.
Dont sue me....lol.
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