Cart (0)
VIDEOBlockbuster, TiVo Team Up to Upset Netflix
By
Scott Reeves Mar 25, 2009 11:45 am
Brief scrutiny of today's headlines.
 |
|
Blockbuster plans to sell and rent movies through TiVo’s (TIVO) digital video recorders. The new service is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2009.
Netflix now offers movies and TV shows via TiVo digital video recorders and other equipment as part of its “Watch Instantly” service. The difference: Blockbuster will offer new titles 2 to 4 weeks after they hit the shelves in video stores. That would make the new titles available to customers before the movies are shown on pay-per-view TV.
Blockbuster now offers video-on-demand through Vizio TVs and a 2Wire media player. Netflix offers video-streaming through Microsoft (MSFT) Xbox game consoles, Blu-ray players with Internet capability developed by LG and Samsung. Movies also can be viewed on Roku digital video players.
TiVo also has deals with Amazon (AMZN) and Comcast (CMCSA). Cox Communications and DirectTVGroup also use TiVo’s set-top boxes.
The deals are part of Hollywood’s effort to distribute its movies as widely as possible. US theater ticket sales generate about $11 billion a year, but the video game industry now generates about $14 billion a year in global sales. This explains why some movie characters morph into video games and a few video game characters jump to the big screen.
But it remains to be seen if Blockbuster can jump over Netflix.
No position in stocks mentioned.
The information on this website solely reflects the analysis of or opinion about the performance of securities and financial markets by the writers whose articles appear on the site. The views expressed by the writers are not necessarily the views of Minyanville Media, Inc. or members of its management. Nothing contained on the website is intended to constitute a recommendation or advice addressed to an individual investor or category of investors to purchase, sell or hold any security, or to take any action with respect to the prospective movement of the securities markets or to solicit the purchase or sale of any security. Any investment decisions must be made by the reader either individually or in consultation with his or her investment professional. Minyanville writers and staff may trade or hold positions in securities that are discussed in articles appearing on the website. Writers of articles are required to disclose whether they have a position in any stock or fund discussed in an article, but are not permitted to disclose the size or direction of the position. Nothing on this website is intended to solicit business of any kind for a writer's business or fund. Minyanville management and staff as well as contributing writers will not respond to emails or other communications requesting investment advice.
Copyright 2011 Minyanville Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2011 Minyanville Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
