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Blockbuster Movie Pass announced

Written by Rich Fiscus @ 23 Sep 2011 1:18 User comments (5)

Blockbuster Movie Pass announced

Blockbuster and Dish Network have just announced a new package called Blockbuster Movie Pass.
This new service will be similar to the combined disc by mail and streaming service Netflix recently abandoned. It offers unlimited movies and games by mail and streaming video, as well as in-store disc exchange at Blockbuster brick and mortar stores.

The catch is it's only available with a Dish Network subscribtion, although they did indicate Blockbuster may be launching a separate streaming service later for non-Dish subscribers at some point.

Another key feature of Blockbuster Movie Pass is the the availability of Blu-ray at no additional charge. Blu-ray discs cost extra for Netflix customers.

The key question is whether Dish Network's assertion that customers would prefer a streaming and disc rental service which is bundled with pay TV. There's no question such an approach is attractive to content partners, particularly Starz.



Recent trends toward cord cutting seem to suggest customers may be less interested.

Clearly Netflix's recent price increase has left an opening for competition. The bigger question is whether this will do anything to help Dish Network keep customers.

If not, that would seem to artificially limit the program's success.

Blockbuster Movie Pass launches on October 1.

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5 user comments

123.9.2011 15:54

Why is this tied to Dish network at all?

Are these guys just REALLY thick headed?

223.9.2011 20:19

Originally posted by ThePastor:
Why is this tied to Dish network at all?

Are these guys just REALLY thick headed?
Mainly because Dish Network bailed them out of bankruptcy.

323.9.2011 22:49

Originally posted by klassic:
Originally posted by ThePastor:
Why is this tied to Dish network at all?

Are these guys just REALLY thick headed?
Mainly because Dish Network bailed them out of bankruptcy.

...And because Dish OWNS them. I have to say, this is rather pointless as far as I am concerned...I don't want TV...if I want a poor selection of things that (for the most part) I don't want to see, I can get that with streaming for a lot less. Why would I want streaming and TV at the same time? I only have two eyes, and one is already focused on the laptop screen.

424.9.2011 23:22
Doctor Love
Unverified new user

Almost Blockbuster, almost! I guess they have yet to realize that they are so far behind the movie rental industry and they are in no place to make demands and conditions like this for service!

525.9.2011 02:03

Originally posted by Doctor Love:
Almost Blockbuster, almost! I guess they have yet to realize that they are so far behind the movie rental industry and they are in no place to make demands and conditions like this for service!
They already know this...Dish is using them to sell sat service, and they will probably untie it about a day before some better service starts up (or a day before Amazon adds the netflix library to Amazon+)

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