This is just what Blockbuster needs to get a foot hold on the the business. Charlie may have gotten them just in time to get things really going. Netflix Raises DVD, Streaming Plan Price by 60 Percent - MOVIE TALK on Yahoo! Movies (http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/1701-netflix-raises-dvd-streaming-plan-price-by-60-percent)

Charlie has deep pockets and can afford to start a price war with Netflix. Unfortunately he also must consider the studio deals he has in order to keep distribution rights to new DVD releases. How low can you go and still keep those new DVDs coming in? I hope we will find out soon.

I use streaming only, so my plan will stay the same price. Physical media is on it's way out, that's the main problem with Blockbuster. Just like record stores, it's a relic of the past.

Has or will the streaming library increased?

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Isn't this like the 4th or 5th thread on this topic?

The reason Netflix decided to split streaming and DVD by mail is that they realized two things: 1) there are still A LOT of people who rent DVDs that never log in to streaming. DVD by mail is still their cash cow and is going to be around for awhile. 2) Their streaming service is not expanding as fast as they had hoped. They have not been able to make some key deals that would have made streaming more desireable, because the studios are fighting them on the concept. The studios are not willing to part with physical media as easily as consumers, and are doing their utmost to push people back to the idea of collecting movies on DVD as we so willingly did a decade ago. I think once we see UltraViolet fail, THAT will spell the eventual end of physical media for movies.

Isn't this like the 4th or 5th thread on this topic?

and all other threads have been closed.

I use streaming only, so my plan will stay the same price. Physical media is on it's way out, that's the main problem with Blockbuster. Just like record stores, it's a relic of the past.
I agree. That said, Netflix does not offer a large percentage of the new flicks via streaming... only DVD.

Shortly after the price increase came out this following email was sent out by DISH Network / Blockbuster's PR department.




Attention editors, just a reminder that when writing about Netflix' new pricing announced today, please note that Blockbuster, under the new ownership of DISH Network, also rolled out new pricing in the last month and has several competitive advantages to Netflix:


Blockbuster announced this week:


A month long pass for $4.99 for kids to rent unlimited kids movies from Blockbuster stores.

Sunday movie rentals for .49 cents at Blockbuster stores.


Blockbuster introduced in May new pricing in stores:


Lower rates and daily pricing: Thousands of titles were made available for only 99 cents per day

Just released movies were lowered to $2.99 for first day. Other newer movies were lowered to $1.99 or less for first day. Additionaly days only 99 cents.


Competitive Advantages:

Blockbuster offers a By Mail service that enables customers to exchange those movies in participating Blockbuster stores nationwide for another free rental.

Blockbuster offers many new releases 28 days before Redbox or Netflix.

Digital download services:

Blockbuster also offers rentals of digital downloads of movies to compatible mobile devices or PCs.


Streaming movie services:

Today, Blockbuster does not offer a streaming movie service but is exploring ways to expand into this platform.


Let me know if you have further questions.

Isn't this like the 4th or 5th thread on this topic?
Nope

The price increase and change in marketing tactic was just announced and thus this discussion about the effect of this increase on Blockbuster is all new.

and all other threads have been closed.

Merged and moved I believe....

This is why they can raise the rates on streaming. They are pretty much the only one providing streaming at a monthly fee. The other streaming services charge per download. Lack of competition, a strong customer base, and a strong hold on a service gives makes it easier for them to raise rates.

I hope BB starts offering streaming soon so they can compete with NF

This is why they can raise the rates on streaming. They are pretty much the only one providing streaming at a monthly fee. The other streaming services charge per download. Lack of competition, a strong customer base, and a strong hold on a service gives makes it easier for them to raise rates.

I hope BB starts offering streaming soon so they can compete with NF

I would think that maybe one day you may see streaming with dish receivers?? Just a thought, but yes I would think for the public that does not have dish streaming would be a nice add

I do like the fact that with the blockbuster plan if you have one locally (we still do) you can do exchanges In store

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I would think that maybe one day you may see streaming with dish receivers?? Just a thought, but yes I would think for the public that does not have dish streaming would be a nice add I think we will as well. In fact I am sure of it after seeing the new data center that they are building in Cheyanne...

Amazon is also streaming to Prime members. Netflix is reportedly looking at a tenfold increase in streaming licensing costs comparing 2010 to 2012. I don't see physical media disappearing very soon. Netflix is actually investing even more money in the DVD side of the business. Many cannot get anything better than SD quality streaming from Netflix anyway. I'm in that group. This change benefits me as I'll be saving money by being able to drop streaming altogether.

I received an email from Blockbuster today telling me I can order a DVD, have it mailed to me, and return it by mail or store dropoff for $5.00. I don't see this as a deal at all.

I'm with Laddyboy. No more streaming for me, not that I ever used it much. HD streaming had so many artifacts, it looked worse than SD to my eye. SD streaming was unwatchable on a 42" TV due to blurriness.

I'm with Laddyboy. No more streaming for me, not that I ever used it much. HD streaming had so many artifacts, it looked worse than SD to my eye. SD streaming was unwatchable on a 42" TV due to blurriness. sounds like u need a faster internet connection

sounds like u need a faster internet connection
Yup! Netflix streaming via Fios to my 60" plasma looks at least to be DVD quality.

Once the price increase comes in Sept I am dropping Streaming. I'll keep the DVD/Blu-Ray service. Netflix streaming is just about useless for me. It's all old stuff that I've seen or that's already on HBO/Starz/Epix and even HBO/Starz/Epix, gets them before Netflix streaming.

I'm going to drop streaming too. Nothing more frustrating than watching a blurry picture that stops and starts all of the time. As far as a faster internet connection, some of us don't have many choices. I know, its 2011 and its hard to imagine but its true. I'm stuck with AT&T "Fastaccess" DSL 6.0. For that I pay $42 / month. My only option for faster speed is Metrocast cable at 10 mbps download for $73 / month. Cost doesn't even take into account the numerous service outages I experienced with cable when I did have it making it notoriously unreliable. My neighbors confirm this is still true. I cut the cable a long time ago and I can't see paying another $31 per month for internet. Between cell phone, land line, E*, DSL, Netflix, Sirius/XM for the car, and the occasional video on demand rental (because Netflix can't ship me a new movide I want to watch without waiting six months or more), it's becoming crystal clear that I need to start cutting back somewhere in my communication and entertainment budget.

With all these caps providers are putting into place and some people's lack of getting a good quality internet connection, I can still see demand for dvd rentals for at least a few more years. Blockbuster's advantage is that you can pikcup and drop the movies off at the store instead of having to do it all through the mail. This means less wait on getting more movies as they would be getting them back sooner even if you had to wait in the mail for the next one.

I dropped the DVD option when the studios started issuing "rental" versions, with no extras or commentaries that were on the retail version, and Netflix agreed to hold new studio titles for thirty days after street date. I have had zero problems with the streaming so I'll stay with that and if I want a DVD, I get it at the library with full extras for twenty five cents.

I use streaming only, so my plan will stay the same price. Physical media is on it's way out, that's the main problem with Blockbuster. Just like record stores, it's a relic of the past.

I don't agree. There isn't a stream in the world that compares to a Blu-Ray with Dolby TrueHD or DTS sound to say nothing of the picture quality.

Having said that, I do use and enjoy Netflix streaming mainly for TV shows.

I have been with Blockbuster online for about 2 months now and I love it. I tried the Netflix streaming but it was a bunch of old shows and movies. I am one of the lucky ones I guess because I still have a Blockbuster store about 5 blocks from where I live so I can exchange my Blu Ray's right there in the store. This store is always busy (which is probably why it is still open). When I was in there the other day I noticed they had installed a Dish Network kiosk and at the time even had a Blockbuster employee helping a customer sign up for service on it. It was very well layed out presentation of Dish services and equipment information so a customer could make a sound decision on getting the right equipment and service.

This is (at least for now) good for people who live in rural areas who do not have broadband internet. I just changed our Netflix plan to the DVD only option (no streaming) because we can not utilize streaming where we are. There are a lot of rural areas like that: DSL? Nope. Cable, not required by county contract so KOA. Satellite internet?--5GB limit and speed for streaming, nope.

Well this really bites. I have been pleased with my Netflix service because, as I posted once before, my son & my wife like the streaming, and I like getting the BD. I agree with ibanex_ax, "There isn't a stream in the world that compares to a Blu-Ray with Dolby TrueHD or DTS sound to say nothing of the picture quality." My son likes cause he can stream directly to his X-Box in his room. At $13.00/month, it was worth it for the family, specially since I would tend to watch the BD as soon as they came and return them the next day.
Blockbuster isn't the answer for us because all the ones that were close by have close down. That another reason I went with Netflix, because almost all of the video rental stores have closed down around us.
Redbox might be the answer, since there's one at the WalMart where my wife works. So it should be easy for her to pick up and take back a movie (should be).
I just don't see me putting out $18.00/month to stream and get BD rentals. Specially, after paying my monthly Dish bill too. It looks like I might be saying good-bye to Netflix. My son is good at watching movies via youtube and other web sites on the computer in the TV room. I'm the one that will really lose out...I definitely have to do me some think'n and calculate'n!
Ghpr13:)

Well this really bites. I have been pleased with my Netflix service because, as I posted once before, my son & my wife like the streaming, and I like getting the BD. I agree with ibanex_ax, "There isn't a stream in the world that compares to a Blu-Ray with Dolby TrueHD or DTS sound to say nothing of the picture quality." My son likes cause he can stream directly to his X-Box in his room. At $13.00/month, it was worth it for the family, specially since I would tend to watch the BD as soon as they came and return them the next day.
Blockbuster isn't the answer for us because all the ones that were close by have close down. That another reason I went with Netflix, because almost all of the video rental stores have closed down around us.
Redbox might be the answer, since there's one at the WalMart where my wife works. So it should be easy for her to pick up and take back a movie (should be).
I just don't see me putting out $18.00/month to stream and get BD rentals. Specially, after paying my monthly Dish bill too. It looks like I might be saying good-bye to Netflix. My son is good at watching movies via youtube and other web sites on the computer in the TV room. I'm the one that will really lose out...I definitely have to do me some think'n and calculate'n!
Ghpr13:)

You could do Blockbuster by Mail. They don't charge extra for Blu Ray's. Here are there plan. I'm on a 3 month free trail with Dish right now to try it out. I also have Netflix.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/m/plan

You could do Blockbuster by Mail. They don't charge extra for Blu Ray's. Here are there plan. I'm on a 3 month free trail with Dish right now to try it out. I also have Netflix.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/m/plan

Thanks! I will look into this.
Ghpr13:)

Here is an article that came out from PCWorld this morning. And BTW DodgerKing at the time that I posted this there didn't seem to be a thread with the info. That is why I posted it. PC World article: Netflix Users Protest Proposed Price Increases With Social Media Firestorm | PCWorld (http://www.pcworld.com/article/235627/netflix_users_protest_proposed_price_increases_with_social_media_firestorm.html#tk.nl_dnx_t_crawl) I'm glad that I wasn't posting something that had already been done 4 or 5 times. I was a bit surprised that it hadn't.

You could do Blockbuster by Mail. They don't charge extra for Blu Ray's. Here are there plan. I'm on a 3 month free trail with Dish right now to try it out. I also have Netflix.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/m/plan

If you get one disc at a time, Blockbuster is still more expensive. They're offering one BR disc at a time for $11.99 while Netflix has it for $9.99 minus the streaming. The one advantage that Blockbuster does have is the lack of a 30 day delay on the availability of some movies. I suppose you have to ask yourself, is that worth the extra $2 a month?

If you get one disc at a time, Blockbuster is still more expensive. They're offering one BR disc at a time for $11.99 while Netflix has it for $9.99 minus the streaming. The one advantage that Blockbuster does have is the lack of a 30 day delay on the availability of some movies. I suppose you have to ask yourself, is that worth the extra $2 a month?

In my experience, Blockbuster's turn around time is longer than Netflix as well. Netflix usually ships out new movies the day they receive returned movies, but Blockbuster often waits a day before shipping out new movies (and given their warehouse location it can take two days by mail to get to me instead of netflix's one day- but that's geography related and will vary).

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I have a question I am with netflix for few years now as blu-ray customer & getting it by mail
Since I have screen room and love the blu-ray format.. streaming movies, still gives me same qualithy , sound & format like blu-ray? Not 16by9? for someone dose have screen room qualithy?

I have a question I am with netflix for few years now as blu-ray customer & getting it by mail
Since I have screen room and love the blu-ray format.. streaming movies, still gives me same qualithy , sound & format like blu-ray? Not 16by9? for someone dose have screen room qualithy?

Streaming is not the same quality as Blu Ray, not sound and not the video.

Ok thanks Randal

Here is an article that came out from PCWorld this morning. And BTW DodgerKing at the time that I posted this there didn't seem to be a thread with the info. That is why I posted it. PC World article: Netflix Users Protest Proposed Price Increases With Social Media Firestorm | PCWorld (http://www.pcworld.com/article/235627/netflix_users_protest_proposed_price_increases_with_social_media_firestorm.html#tk.nl_dnx_t_crawl) I'm glad that I wasn't posting something that had already been done 4 or 5 times. I was a bit surprised that it hadn't.

no need to justify. Its cool. I was just asking a question and I did so before realizing this was a totally diffrent asoect of the same story. It deserves its own thread.

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This would be worth it, if netflix decides to start streaming new releases. If not, I guess my xbox is going to lose its ability to play movies for the second time. First was the death of HD DVD.

I may drop Netflix completely. I'm currently on the $11.99 plan that allows one DVD/Blu-ray plus unlimited streaming, but I can't see paying $18/mo. for the same service. I now have Netflix streaming through my PS3 to my 54" plasma or my projector with 96" screen (both 1080p), but I frankly don't use it as much as some other people. I am far more likely to watch MLB.TV through my PS3 all summer, than watch a streaming movie. I also have Amazon Prime so I have access to their free streaming service through my internet-connected Panasonic plasma TV, even though I almost never use that, either.
I will probably just switch to RedBox if I want to watch a recent-release movie. What I don't understand is -- how come RedBox is only $1.50 for a HD Blu-ray rental, but DISH charges $6 or $7 to view an HD movie? Add-in the fact that DISH does not have to install, maintain, and constantly re-stock 27,000 machines to provide their movie rental service! If DISH charged what Blockbuster charged for a one-day rental of a new release -- $2.99 -- I would probably be all over that after I dropped Netflix. But at 6 or 7 dollars, I don't even consider watching a DISH Cinema movie.

... What I don't understand is -- how come RedBox is only $1.50 for a HD Blu-ray rental, but DISH charges $6 or $7 to view an HD movie? Add-in the fact that DISH does not have to install, maintain, and constantly re-stock 27,000 machines to provide their movie rental service ...
The comparison is only valid because Red Box has found a way to keep their satellite expenses low.

Redbox might be the answer, since there's one at the WalMart where my wife works.
I have the same situation with my wife working at Walmart and Redbox there. The problem with Redbox (at least at that Walmart) is that BD are very few and of the few they are old ones. And with DVDs and New BD that they do carry they rarely have new of anything because they're always rented out. The other thing is there is always a line and people take so long to choose what they want. Now if our Walmart had 2 or 3 Redboxes in there then that would surely so the trick. I tried Redbox and gave up on it because of all that.

We have a Blockbuster maybe 10 min from here. The one closer closed down. There's never anyone in that BB though so I can't see it lasting much longer. I can't see joining BB and renting them by mail and returning them to the store. Seems pointless to me. Netfix is SOOOOO convenient by mail. I select rentals so easily through the queue, I get them the next day, I put it in my mailbox the following day, then they get it and notify me it's received the next day, then on the same day ship me another (and a notification that it shipped). It's just so convenient and easy.

Jay

I have the same situation with my wife working at Walmart and Redbox there. The problem with Redbox (at least at that Walmart) is that BD are very few and of the few they are old ones. And with DVDs and New BD that they do carry they rarely have new of anything because they're always rented out. The other thing is there is always a line and people take so long to choose what they want. Now if our Walmart had 2 or 3 Redboxes in there then that would surely so the trick. I tried Redbox and gave up on it because of all that.

We have a Blockbuster maybe 10 min from here. The one closer closed down. There's never anyone in that BB though so I can't see it lasting much longer. I can't see joining BB and renting them by mail and returning them to the store. Seems pointless to me. Netfix is SOOOOO convenient by mail. I select rentals so easily through the queue, I get them the next day, I put it in my mailbox the following day, then they get it and notify me it's received the next day, then on the same day ship me another (and a notification that it shipped). It's just so convenient and easy.

Jay

You don't return them it the store. You just put it back in your mailbox when you're done watching it just like Netflix. You do get 5 in store exchanges though.

You could do Blockbuster by Mail. They don't charge extra for Blu Ray's. Here are there plan. I'm on a 3 month free trail with Dish right now to try it out. I also have Netflix.

https://www.blockbuster.com/signup/m/plan
How do you get the 3 month free trial? It shows a 2 week trial. Thanks!

How do you get the 3 month free trial? It shows a 2 week trial. Thanks!

Sign into your Dish account and click on Get Blockbuster.

Sign into your Dish account and click on Get Blockbuster.
I just tried that and there's nothing at all that refers to BB on the site. Not on the regular pages, not in the site map, and not in 'my account' either. :(

I just tried that and there's nothing at all that refers to BB on the site. Not on the regular pages, not in the site map, and not in 'my account' either. :(

Is it just for "First timers"?
Ghpr13:confused:

Blockbuster Rescues Furious Netflix Customers





Netflix Customers Offered Blockbuster Total Access With New Everyday Pricing and Free 30-Day Trial With Proof of Netflix Account




MCKINNEY, Texas, July 14, 2011 – Blockbuster L.L.C. (wlmailhtml:{5B12E204-B042-48D7-8158-7E1D6F21DB64}mid://00000134/!x-usc:http://www.blockbuster.com/helloblockbuster) today began rescuing upset Netflix® customers by launching a limited time, nationwide promotion for all Netflix customers who switch to Blockbuster Total Access™.

Blockbuster Total Access provides benefits Netflix doesn’t offer: availability of many new releases 28 days before Netflix; unlimited in-store exchanges; games for XBOX 360®, Playstation3™, and Nintendo Wii™, and no additional charge for Blu-ray™ movies.

As part of Blockbuster’s ongoing efforts to provide the ultimate in convenience, choice and value, Netflix customers who switch to one of Blockbuster’s two most popular Total Access plans will receive a 30-day free trial. After the free trial, customers will continue to receive Total Access for a new everyday price of only $9.99 per month for “1 Disc” at a time or $14.99 per month for “2 Discs” at a time.

“Blockbuster quickly responded to the cries of Netflix customers,” said Michael Kelly, president of Blockbuster. “Blockbuster Total Access is Netflix ‘without the wait.’ The combination of DVDs by mail and unlimited in-store exchanges provides more than 100 million people living near Blockbuster stores immediate convenience and unparalleled choice.”

Many Netflix customers have voiced their frustration about the Netflix price increase on Twitter by posting “Goodbye Netflix, Hello Blockbuster!”

“We find it shocking that anyone would raise rates as high as 60 percent,” Kelly added. “In contrast, Blockbuster has worked hard over the past few months to deliver value in entertainment to consumers in this economy and has even reduced in-store movie rentals to as low as 49 cents.”

This special offer for Netflix customers is available through Sept. 15, 2011, in participating stores and at Blockbuster’s website (wlmailhtml:{5B12E204-B042-48D7-8158-7E1D6F21DB64}mid://00000134/!x-usc:http://www.blockbuster.com/helloblockbuster).

In order to take advantage of this limited time promotional offer, outraged Netflix subscribers are encouraged to visit www.blockbuster.com/helloblockbuster (wlmailhtml:{5B12E204-B042-48D7-8158-7E1D6F21DB64}mid://00000134/!x-usc:http://www.blockbuster.com/helloblockbuster) or bring in the tear-off from their Netflix mailer to a participating Blockbuster store.



Here’s a comparison of Blockbuster Total Access vs. Netflix by mail service:





Blockbuster Total Access Netflix DVD only with Blu-ray





In-store exchanges Unlimited None

Games Xbox 360, PS3, Wii None

New Releases Immediate Up to 28-day delay for multiple studios

Blu-Ray Yes Yes

Price (1-disc plan) $9.99/month $9.99/month Today (starting Sept. 1)



Follow Blockbuster on Twitter (http://twitter.com/blockbuster (wlmailhtml:{5B12E204-B042-48D7-8158-7E1D6F21DB64}mid://00000134/!x-usc:http://twitter.com/blockbuster)) and Facebook (http://facebook.com/blockbusterinc (wlmailhtml:{5B12E204-B042-48D7-8158-7E1D6F21DB64}mid://00000134/!x-usc:http://facebook.com/blockbusterinc)) for new exciting deals or visit www.blockbuster.com/helloblockbuster (wlmailhtml:{5B12E204-B042-48D7-8158-7E1D6F21DB64}mid://00000134/!x-usc:http://www.blockbuster.com/helloblockbuster).

LOL! They're offering the same pricing as Netflix even with the new price increase.

Netflix: Unlimited DVDs (no streaming)

Exchange DVDs as often as you want

1 DVD out at-a-time

$7.99 a month $9.99 a month with Blu-ray

2 DVDs out at-a-time

$11.99 a month $14.99 a month with Blu-ray

Blockbuster:

1 Disc at a time $9.99.
2 Discs at a time $14.99.

Is it just for "First timers"?
Ghpr13:confused:

No. Matt said not everybody can get it. That is probably why. I don't know if he can change that on his end. I would send him a PM and see what he says.

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No. Matt said not everybody can get it. That is probably why. I don't know if he can change that on his end. I would send him a PM and see what he says.

Sent from my iPad 2 using the SatelliteGuys App

Thanks!
Ghpr13:)

So Blockbuster is offering the same pricing as Netflix, to help Netflix customers upset with their soon to be current prices. That sounds so Congress.

As to the BB deal. It's a couple bucks off their regular price I think. You do have the ability to grab your movies at the brick and mortar instead of waiting for them to be shipped and can get new releases right away instead of 30 days later. I used to use BB because I could get Blurays much faster than with NF. I usually only care about Bluray for big action movies so it's of limited benefit to me these days.

Having games in the mix sounds really nice. Can try a game out before sinking $50-60 into a game that winds up sucking. That with the combination of no 28 day window and exchanges at the store means that my netflix Bluray business will be going to Blockbuster.

I'll still keep the streaming, but since Blockbuster has a better deal at the same price for DVD's & Blurays means they'll get my business.

Yeah, I'm thinking of jumping ship to BB. We can do without the streaming from Netflix. There's a lot of other places to stream from. Being able to get games for the son's x-box will win him over. I'll probably go with the 2 disc deal, that way the son can get a game, and I can get a BD movie...wife is into more of that reality crap anyway.
Ghpr13:)