AfterDawn: News

Redbox to start streaming service to rival Netflix

Redbox, the popular $1-a-night DVD rental company, will start a subscription-based Internet streaming service, one that will directly rival Netflix.

President Mitch Lowe told analysts that the new subscription model will also give users a chance to still rent physical DVDs along with unlimited streaming.



Netflix reported last quarter that they moved to over 20 million subscribers, a huge jump since the start of 2010.

The LATimes speculates that Amazon will be Redbox's streaming partner:

Redbox has previously said it will launch a digital service with a partner but has not identified the partner. Several people familiar with the matter have confirmed that Amazon.com is in talks with studios to acquire content for a Netflix-like subscription movie streaming service set to launch soon, making it a likely candidate to be Redbox's partner.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Feb 2011 3:25

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• 6 comments

• lissenup2

  Not gonna happen.
  
  Netflix already has this market. Not gonna be profitable for Redbox in the long run unless something happens to Netflix.

  17.2.2011 09:32 #1

• dEwMe

  Will be tough anyway....seems like even my toilet has netflix installed...
  

  Just my $0.02,
  
  dEwMe

  17.2.2011 11:22 #2

• Scaldari

  I think it has a shot. they have two things going for them. 1. there is not another competitor atm. and 2. They might offer different/additional movies that netflix does not yet have access to. I personally would subscribe to both and may the best one win!

  18.2.2011 08:51 #3

• alexeemo

  I used to have the blockbuster plan with DVDs by mail and something like 5 or more in store movie exchanges per week( which I loved because you could get any movie). That being said, I switched to Netflix. It's cheaper, the DVDs only take one day to get mailed to me and the steaming is flawless on my PS3.
  
  I truly believe they are wasting their time at Redbox. How can they compete with 20 million subscribers, especially when Netflix now has an unlimited streaming only plan for $7.99?
  

  PSN ID alexeemo, Level 10, 484 Trophies and counting

  18.2.2011 08:58 #4

• duke8888

  They are having problems and put this on hold in a report I got yesterday

  18.2.2011 09:57 #5

• mscritsm

  If Redbox is using Amazon as their streaming partner, why not just go with the new Amazon streaming service? What movies will Redbox offer that Amazon won't? Will Redbox be able to price its service any cheaper?

  22.2.2011 17:08 #6