RedBox vs. Netflix

[Krakalakachkn]

Redbox, the company behind the 30,000+ bright kiosks offering film rentals for as little as $1 a day, is set to take on main rival Netflix in the home movie streaming market.

 

Redbox president Mitch Lowe tells The Los Angeles Times that the company will begin offering subscription-based Internet streaming by the end of the year.

 

A monthly fee will then give consumers access to movies on multiple devices as well as discs through kiosks.

 

Redbox is expected to partner with another company to offer the service with Amazon.com and Hulu.com mentioned as possible partners, though no-one is confirmed as yet.

[Krakalakachkn]

I think it's really going to come down to the availability of RedBox's streaming capabilities and how much they charge for it. While Netflix takes longer to deliver movies, I almost never have to wait. However, with Redbox, I feel like their movie selection is pretty poor and every time I use it, all the good moves are already gone.

 

For now, I stand with Netflix. It's reliable and has a much larger library than RedBox. Also, if I keep a movie for over 8 days, it doesn't charge me more than my 8.99 subscription fee. However, if I keep my Redbox movie over 8 days, it keeps on charging me a dollar per day.

[Elend]

For the moment I use Netflix. I lost my Netflix envelope though so need to send this DS9 disc to them in one of my own :(

[Krakalakachkn]

I hate when I do that!

[SinisterDeath]

Heres what you do.

 

Get 2 at a time?

Send both in one envelope.

 

That way, they recieve both movies at the same time, and send both out at the same time.

 

I actually had 3 movies, arriev 1 day apart from each other, even though, I mailed them... same day!

So I mail all mine at the same time, in one envelope. (3 at a time. They only like you doing it 2 at a time.)

So I always have, 1 or 2 spare envelopes, specially after the chance when one doesn't 'open' correctly and rips.

[Majsju]

None of the above (even if they had been available here)

 

*whistles innocently*

[Krakalakachkn]

Last night I discovered that Red Box doesn't even accept cash! And they charge tax! What the dump! They only take cards! Outrageous!

 

 

In other news, Netflix has upped the ante:

 

Netflix, the video streaming service juggernaut that now makes up a big portion of all online traffic within the United States, is making a major gamble.

 

Deadline reports that the company has outbid several major cable networks, including HBO and AMC, for the rights to the David Fincher-produced, Kevin Spacey-led remake of classic British mini-series "House of Cards".

 

Negotiations are still ongoing, but Netflix reportedly is in the winning seat thanks to a commitment of two seasons (26 episodes) for the drama with a budget in the $4-6 million an episode range. Combined with the cost of promotion, the deal is expected to be worth over $100 million.

 

Yet if it succeeds, it could very well herald the start of a new way for people to consume new TV shows legitimately. Netflix dominates the movie streaming market with a 61% share, far and above the likes of the 8% from Comcast's VOD and the 4% each for Apple's iTunes and DirectTV.

 

Yet the company still doesn't operate outside North America and has only dropped cryptic hints about operating in international territories.

[SinisterDeath]

There might actually be legal concerns about them operating over-seas.

Kind of like how its supposed to be illegal for a foriegn company to own a radio station in the US. :P

[Emperor]

I have never used RedBox so I may be biased.

 

Netflix is going to win. They have already committed to being off the dvds in a few years and have EVERYTHING streaming. They recognize the future. Now if they could compete with Hulu and get TV on sooner they might actually rival cable TV. Imagine paying $20 a month instead of $100... and getting movies.

 

Blockbuster has lost too much of their marketshare to make a comeback. They are playing catch up to Netflix. The only way they come back is leap frog Netflix in technology.