Blockbuster Seeking to Bring Movie Downloads to Apple Devices?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/25/blockbuster-seeking-to-bring-movie-downloads-to-apple-devices/)

Reuters reports (http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSTRE52O0X420090325) today on a deal between TiVo and Blockbuster that will allow TiVo subscribers to download to their set-top boxes films offered through Blockbuster's OnDemand service. Looking beyond the TiVo agreement, a senior executive at Blockbuster revealed the company's intentions to pursue bringing a similar service to Apple's products."You will see us in a large number of other devices going forward," said Kevin Lewis, senior vice president of digital entertainment at Blockbuster, who added that the company also plans to makes its system available to Apple Inc's products. "We need to be in the normal places that consumers want to watch movies," he said.It is unclear whether Apple shares Blockbuster's interest in bringing this service to its customers, as Blockbuster's offerings would directly compete with Apple's own video content available through the iTunes Store and Apple TV. Apple recently made HD movie rentals and sales (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/19/apple-announces-release-of-hd-movie-sales-and-rentals-via-itunes/) available through the iTunes Store, signaling their continued commitment to Apple-controlled distribution of digital content.

According to Reuters, Blockbuster expects to offer about 10,000 movies upon launch of the TiVo service later this year, roughly double the number currently offered through the iTunes Store.About 10,000 movies will be available when the service launches in the latter half of this year. Most rental films on Blockbuster.com today cost about $2 to $4, while purchased movies start at less than $10.

Blockbuster claimed that its roster of movies on TiVo will outshine that of online choices available at Netflix and Amazon. Indeed, while Amazon and Netflix have more videos available in total, most are older titles, whereas Blockbuster.com offers many more recent hits.

Article Link: Blockbuster Seeking to Bring Movie Downloads to Apple Devices? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/25/blockbuster-seeking-to-bring-movie-downloads-to-apple-devices/)

[DPA]

I am still waiting for Netflix to do this. I want Instant Play on my iPhone!

David

[Lesser Evets]

Slow newsday, huh?

[edesignuk]

Blockbuster seeking any way possible not to fail entirely.

[DPA]

Slow newsday, huh?

I'd say. I thought this would go on Page 2, I guess it's kind of on the line of Page 1.5.

Blockbuster seeking any way possible not to fail entirely.

¡¡News Flash!!

David

[Sky Blue]

I'd rather pay a month amount and rent all of the stuff in the iTunes store.

[jw2002]

Blockbuster needs to close down for good. They are a dinosaur.

[reverie]

I wonder if they really have 10.000 movies or if they count TV shows as well. Netflix always does that. Nevertheless, impressive collection.

I'd rather pay a month amount and rent all of the stuff in the iTunes store.

Sure. How do $50 per month sound? The $9 Netflix asks are not sustainable, certainly not for a big library with recent titles.

Blockbuster needs to close down for good. They are a dinosaur.

Don't think so. Competition is good for the market.

[lftrghtparadigm]

Blockbuster seeking any way possible not to fail entirely.

Including making up "hopes" of working with Apple to get out across popular blogs, aka, free advertising.

[lftrghtparadigm]

I wonder if they really have 10.000 movies or if they count TV shows as well. Netflix always does that. Nevertheless, impressive collection.



Sure. How do $50 per month sound?

Ha! sounds like Apple, "Since Everyone Rents on average one movie per day...."

[ashjamben]

apple need to get their backside in gear to compete

[motoracer1486]

Blockbuster needs to close down for good. They are a dinosaur.

Do you realize blockbuster employs roughly 50,000 people? The last thing we need is another company going out of business and increase the amount of unemployed people. Maybe you should think before you post your garbage.

[HailToTheVictor]

I can see Apple implementing Blockbuster rentals into the $99 netbook;)

[Kilamite]

Blockbuster's had its time. It's too far behind in the digital era. Although renting Blu-Ray's is really the only positive thing..

[mattster16]

Blockbuster needs to close down for good. They are a dinosaur.

I don't think so - I still use blockbuster and love them. I signed up for the 3-movies at the time through the mail/unlimited movies per month/unlimited in store exchanged/2-free movie or game coupons per month. I signed up when it was $17.99 a month. it's now like $35 for the same plan but blockbuster doesn't raise your price - they grandfather you in even though there are no contracts so they could easily just raise the price.

I definitely get my moneys worth as I never mail the movies back I just exchange them for new movies in the store and then they mail me the next movies from my queue...sometimes I have as many as 6 movies at a time. Oh and no late fees either...

Oh..and blu-rays do not cost extra and are included.

There is really no better deal out there for (legal) movie rental as far as I know.

If blockbuster gets their act together as they appear to be doing and get their downloadable content they could beat Apple. They have much better name recognition for most people when it comes to video rental.

[Alith]

Too little, too late response to digital distribution. It will go the way of all the rest of the retail outlets.

I was walking down Oxford Street (London) the other day and was really shocked to see the cavernous void left by the old Virgin Megastore flagship store. It's a massive, eerie space that exists slap bang in the middle of the busiest shopping street in the city. It's one thing to hear about the whole Zavvi thing in the paper and another thing entirely to see the huge impact the internet has had on the high street.

[koobcamuk]

Do you realize blockbuster employs roughly 50,000 people? The last thing we need is another company going out of business and increase the amount of unemployed people. Maybe you should think before you post your garbage.

That's not really the point, is it?

Times change, new things develop and take off and create new job opportunities. We can't stick to the ways of old just to keep people in jobs.

Sounds like you'd love communism mate.

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

Apple allow a competing service on its products? LMAO!

[Small White Car]

My dream world in the year 2012 is that you walk into a Best Buy and see an Apple TV with 3 other devices just like it from other companies.

All 4 boxes offer online Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, and Blockbuster stores (between which you have both sales and rentals of music and movies.)

You know, kind of like how today you can buy a Mac, a Sony, or a Dell and go to any web page with all of them? Something kind of like that, but for your TV.
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: (Ugh, it's not going to happen, is it?)

[koobcamuk]

Too little, too late response to digital distribution. It will go the way of all the rest of the retail outlets.

I was walking down Oxford Street (London) the other day and was really shocked to see the cavernous void left by the old Virgin Megastore flagship store. It's a massive, eerie space that exists slap bang in the middle of the busiest shopping street in the city. It's one thing to hear about the whole Zavvi thing in the paper and another thing entirely to see the huge impact the internet has had on the high street.

Agreed.

However, what always makes me wonder... is why are the shops open 9-5 (some 9-8) during the week, and then close at 5pm on a Sunday. I think Sunday trading should be 9-8 like any other day.

I'm more likely to buy a DVD online using play.com during my lunch break at work and have it delivered to my door, than I am to walk into town, wasting time as I go, just to buy said DVD.

If shops were open during sensible hours on the weekend (why are shops open during weekdays 9-5 (or 8) anyway??) then I might potter around at my convenience. Not peg it into town at 4.30 because I only just got dressed.

It's the age of convenience and times have changed. When people download mostly everything, those shops will not be needed. Entertainment [as an industry] has changed.

[mattster16]

Too little, too late response to digital distribution. It will go the way of all the rest of the retail outlets.

How is it too little too late? Is there already some establish digital movie distribution channel I don't know about with majority market share encroaching on physical rentals/purchases? You might not believe it but the vast majority of people still physically rent/buy their movies and that won't change for awhile. Even Apple is struggling to get their service off the ground and penetrate the market. Blockbuster has as good a chance as anyone if they market their service well and offer what consumers want.

[Kilamite]

You might not believe it but the vast majority of people still physically rent/buy their movies and that won't change for awhile.

Source?

[batchtaster]

I can't think of a single reason why Apple would get involved with a middle-man like Blockbuster when they're already dealing directly with the studios. Sure, it would be amazing for Blockbuster, but what would be in it for Apple?

It's like: "Hi Brad Pitt, this is David Spade calling. I think it'd be really neat and totally help your next movie if I was in it."

[emt1]

Blockbuster is an evil company and they won't get one cent from me.

[BeyondtheTech]

Blockbuster doesn't need to close down for good.

Blockbuster needs to get rid of their upper management that's either greedy, stupid, or both, and do the right thing - cater to its customer base. As a former employee and and even former customer, I saw the policy and prices changes from the inside that made no sense to me as an employee, let alone the customer, leaving only the managers scratching their heads as to why everyone was canceling their in-store and online passes and heading to Netflix, GameFly, and GameStop for all their entertainment needs. Look at post after post on the Consumerist website for an in-depth play-by-play.

Blockbuster needs to remain an enjoyable place to visit, where movie and gamer aficionados, as well as casual users, can go for a quick grab of something new, something old, something fun - but on top of that, not get reamed with insane policies and price plans.

On a side note, I succinctly remember when VHS tapes were being shoveled out in favor of DVDs, and how they kept saying that the cost to manufacture DVDs would be minor fraction of its predecessor, yet we see costs either stay the same or go higher. Whatever happened to that?

[skinnylegs]

Blockbuster's had its time. It's too far behind in the digital era. Although renting Blu-Ray's is really the only positive thing..Uh....no. Too far behind in the digital era? They have a huge online library of films. They simply need a decent advertising campaign.

[skinnylegs]

Source?Dude is correct. There are far more DVD's rented than movies streamed (legally). If you're not convinced, research it yourself.

Here's one source.....

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/10747.cfm

[skinnylegs]

but what would be in it for AppleHuh? What's in in for Apple? How about a piece of every BB movie rented via ATV? :rolleyes:

[mattster16]

Source?

2008 Video Rental by Type:

59% - Traditional Rental (brick and mortar)
24% - Subscription (by mail rental)
10% - Cable/Telco (on-demand)
4% - Kiosk (redbox, etc.)
2% - DBS (satellite)
1% - Digital Rental

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6644141.html

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/retailers/report-rental-store-market-share-decline-20-2013-15011

While this study shows traditional rental will shrink by 2013 it is still projected to be the dominant rental method

[Psychic Shopper]

Here's a link to David Lynch talking about watching movies on a phone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiIroiCvZ0

[Small White Car]

Here's a link to David Lynch talking about watching movies on a phone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiIroiCvZ0

Well, since pretty much everyone here is talking about set-top boxes, I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.

[LethalWolfe]

Source?


DVD sales flat, but still dwarf downloads (http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10042979-93.html)

The research group reported Tuesday that, on average, consumers spent 41 percent of the money budgeted for movies and other video content by purchasing DVDs of films. Movie rentals on DVD were the next biggest category with 29 percent. Consumers spent 11 percent purchasing TV shows on DVD. About 18 percent went to theater tickets, according to the report.
Here's the kicker for Internet video: only 0.5 percent was spent on renting or purchasing TV shows or movies off the Web.
Emphasis mine.

TV has license to kill movies at iTunes, Netflix (http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10119509-93.html)

One recent study found that movie downloads make up only 0.06 percent of studio revenue, said Jan Saxton, an analyst with Adams Media Research. She said her firm estimates that the return is a little higher but is still tiny.

Legal downloading of movies is about 99% buzz and 1% reality right now.


Lethal

[ashjamben]

Too little, too late response to digital distribution. It will go the way of all the rest of the retail outlets.

I was walking down Oxford Street (London) the other day and was really shocked to see the cavernous void left by the old Virgin Megastore flagship store. It's a massive, eerie space that exists slap bang in the middle of the busiest shopping street in the city. It's one thing to hear about the whole Zavvi thing in the paper and another thing entirely to see the huge impact the internet has had on the high street.

zavvi collapsing had nothing to do with the internet.

[gmcalpin]

Here's a link to David Lynch talking about watching movies on a phone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiIroiCvZ0
Aw, damn. Beat me to it.

Well, since pretty much everyone here is talking about set-top boxes, I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.
FCP.guru.guy mentioned wanting Netflix streaming on his iPhone. It was the first comment. That's what it has to do with anything.

[bossxii]

Here's a link to David Lynch talking about watching movies on a phone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiIroiCvZ0

Haha what an idiot. Once again the old generation that likes newspapers and hardcover books have no clue what the digital age consumers want. There is rarely a movie, as I call it "theatre worthy" as 95% of them are trash.

To the BB topic at hand, they still have their place and online rentals will not come close to in store renting until we see a much larger percentage of the US with true high speed broadband, not this 3 or 6mbs DSL speeds or cables wanna be 20mbs shared with everyone connection. I'm talking about 50 to 100mbs pipe that can stream blue ray quality video.

Based on what the wireless companies are doing they will overtake the speed records within a couple of years with 4g, and LTE technologies. They will cover more rural area's through wireless connections and make the online services grow even more. Someone living 50 miles from their nearest video rental store but only has 56k speed is not likely doing much of either. Give those same people a wireless hub with 4g/LTE type speeds and I'm guessing they will be a Netflix or BB online customer pretty quick.

I personally haven't rented a video at a brick and mortar store for well over a 2 years. I've used Netfiix for some time and enjoy it. Their instantly viewable library is rather lacking, mostly old outdated or B movies/TV shows, but it is free and was added after I was a member so it's just a bonus I use now and then.

The whole Apple + BB would surprise me, Apple love their iTunes, don't see them bringing in someone like BB which would take away from their own sales. Yes they would get a percentage of the rentals, but currently they are in control of the situation and growing everyday. I'm all for options but Apple to date hasn't shown me a reason they would invite a server like this to their Apple TV or other devices.

[DELLsFan]

It's sad, but Blockbuster fell way behind Netflix in value and variety long ago. I give them credit as Pioneers in the movie rental industry, but its management made a terrible mistake to ignore Netflix and its competition until their balance sheets forced them to.

Competition is good. Keeping those employees employed is also good. However, a company without sound management and the innovation to effectively compete in the digital age is a recipe for disaster. No employee should plan on getting gold watches for retirement from this one. Every BB employee should be keeping their resumes fresh, IMO.

/salute, Blockbuster ... you had your day and share of success. Thank you for all you brought to living rooms in the 80's and 90s. However, I grew tired of your late fees, expired membership cards, and the hassle of driving to and from your retail stores when I didn't need to. You missed your chance to grow and retain MY business.

If there is to be any Apple collaboration in the movie rental industry, I would rather Apple partnered with Netflix than BB. YMMV.

:apple:

[Greenhoe]

Blockbuster reminds me of AOL (a worthless overpriced product which only the naive still use), a worthless service that over charges for its products and has the worst customer service in the world, due to greed rather then being an actual good business.

I will never step foot into Blockbuster again and I hope they fall just as bad as AOL.

[mattster16]

It's sad, but Blockbuster fell way behind Netflix in value and variety long ago. I give them credit as Pioneers in the movie rental industry, but its management made a terrible mistake to ignore Netflix and its competition until their balance sheets forced them to.



Even though Blockbuster still has majority market share in the traditional movie rental business (storefront) which makes up 60% of the market...a market which Netflix doesn't even compete in. Oh and they don't have late fees anymore

[mattster16]

Blockbuster reminds me of AOL (a worthless overpriced product which only the naive still use), a worthless service that over charges for its products and has the worst customer service in the world, due to greed rather then being an actual good business.

I will never step foot into Blockbuster again and I hope they fall just as bad as AOL.


Yeah I get unlimited dvds and blu-ray every month for $17.99 and the ability to exchange in store if I want - so overpriced and worthless, I'm so naive!

I know I'm posting in defense of blockbuster a lot here, I'm not some fanboy, but I will defend them because personally I like their service. I also had no idea people had such a negative perception of the place!

[LethalWolfe]

Haha what an idiot. Once again the old generation that likes newspapers and hardcover books have no clue what the digital age consumers want. There is rarely a movie, as I call it "theatre worthy" as 95% of them are trash.
More like one of the greatest living filmmakers expressing his opinion that one can't have the same movie watching experience on one's mobile phone that one can in a theater. Which I think anyone who has ever watched a movie in a theater and on a phone can agree with. Is seeing a jpeg of the Mona Lisa on one's phone the same as seeing it in person? No. There is content more suitable for mobile devices and there is content less suitable for mobile devices but everyone is different about their threshold of what'll they'll enjoy on such a tiny screen. Just like there are shoes more suitable for running marathons and shoes less suitable for running marathons and if you prefer running marathons in slippers that's your prerogative.

The 'digital age consumer', well pretty much any mainstream consumer, would sacrifice quality for convenience and while that's the nature of the beast it doesn't mean that everyone has to like it.


Lethal

[motoracer1486]

That's not really the point, is it?

Times change, new things develop and take off and create new job opportunities. We can't stick to the ways of old just to keep people in jobs.

Sounds like you'd love communism mate.

No, I just like my job (and having a job).

[Greenhoe]

Yeah I get unlimited dvds and blu-ray every month for $17.99 and the ability to exchange in store if I want - so overpriced and worthless, I'm so naive!

How much does it cost for someone that doesn't watch movies all the time to go in and rent a Blu-Ray? Probably over 50% then what Blockbuster actually pays for that Blu-Ray.

[Westside guy]

Haha what an idiot. Once again the old generation that likes newspapers and hardcover books have no clue what the digital age consumers want.

It seems pretty apparent that, without looking him up on Google or Wikipedia, you have no idea who David Lynch is.

[Robert Denby]

Blockbuster could boost profits by firing the woman who works Friday afternoons at my local store.

[talkingfuture]

Can't see this one happening unless Blockbuster can get some sort of leverage between Apple and the studios that gives them a more attractive deal. Then they have to persuade Apple to go for it.

[HailToTheVictor]

Thinking more about it, what if Apple were to implement a BB store subset into the iTunes movie rental service. The end game for Apple has always been to sell hardware, and if I remember correctly they make a very small margin of of music (I am not sure about video) Re-branding the iTunes video rental store with "iTunes Blockbuster" would instantly give much more weight to the rental service, especially for the older generation that still heads to the brick and mortar outlets. This would push Apple TV sales and Apple could get a kickback from Blockbuster. Of course, I am not taking into consideration the different contracts that have previously been agreed upon, but this whole concept is something to keep an eye on.

[8CoreWhore]

I wonder if they really have 10.000 movies or if they count TV shows as well. Netflix always does that. Nevertheless, impressive collection.
Sure. How do $50 per month sound? The $9 Netflix asks are not sustainable, certainly not for a big library with recent titles.
Don't think so. Competition is good for the market.

How is Netflix unsustainable? They are profitable. The streaming service is no extra charge on top of the rental for receiving DVD's or Blu-rays in the mail. I stream from them using my Samsung BD-P2500 blu-ray player and it is GREAT! Thousands of titles, plus I get 3 blu-rays out at a time all that for 18.99 plus tax. So, for about $20 - I get about 15 Blu-rays discs in hand (each month) and unlimited streaming to my TV! Some of that in HD.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/26/netflix-profit-up-45-in-q4-nears-10-million-total-subscribers/

[eyehop]

The Netflix DD (digital download) arrangement is a poor deal for me and my TiVo, one I'm not willing to pay for. Much of what's available through postal mail isn't available for DD. Why would I subscribe at a premium level to download a limited selection? I don't want to mail DVDs, I just want DD access that's not second rate. It's almost 2010. Our media/entertainment/distribution moguls need to step on it. Blockbuster may be on the right track. I for one don't dig subscriptions. Who has time to make it worthwhile? PPV is much better.

[rtdunham]

Blockbuster is an evil company and they won't get one cent from me.

Whooo! You win a prize for most meaningful post. Thanks for contributing. :rolleyes:

[blackpond]

Blockbuster selling rentals on iTunes/AppleTV makes about as much sense as Apple renting DVD's at the local Blockbuster. :confused:

[Unspeaked]

I know I'm posting in defense of blockbuster a lot here, I'm not some fanboy, but I will defend them because personally I like their service. I also had no idea people had such a negative perception of the place!

mattster16, you make valid points but the fact of the matter is - as is clearly evident in the posts here - Blockbuster has spent whatever goodwill they ever had with consumers, and even if they offered a superior product (which is debatable), most people would rather turn to companies like Netflix and Apple - companies that haven't been in the video game long enough to have left a bad impression on a majority of customers - for their video needs.

I personally think Netflix is overrated, but Blockbuster is just too disliked to have a chance at succeeding going forward. As you mention yourself, over half of movie rentals are done in brick and mortar shops like Blockbuster's core business, yet they managed to contract their sales by over 10% this last quarter from the year before, and also find themselves nearly a billion dollars in debt.

(Compare that to Netflix, which is growing at nearly 20% and has over $250 million in the bank...)

[VoR]

Even if you've been stung by company X before, ignoring a superior product at the lowest prices seems a little silly. Ignore the brand name, the past, their bank balance and help these clueless corporates serve you better.

[SFStateStudent]

Isn't Blockbuster the same company that didn't have a single Blu-Ray Disc for rent or sale last December '08? It's a good thing they have one story buildings.... :D:D:D:D:D:D:p:p:p:p:p:p

[***moviemaker**]

For what it's worth, this article entitled "Big Media Cartel About To Punish Netflix?" is an interesting read.

An excerpt:
The Wall Street Journal's astute Martin Peers warns tonight that Netflix "stock-price bubble may be close to bursting" because Hollywood studios and networks don't like the competition...

...At the same time, some of the studios [like Disney] are pondering their own online movie- or TV-subscription services.

Source:
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/big-media-cartel-about-to-punish-netflix/

[zombitronic]

Sure, it would be amazing for Blockbuster, but what would be in it for Apple?

Hardware sales. This is where Apple makes most of their money. A big pre-established base of subscribers could help sell more Apple TVs.

[bossxii]

More like one of the greatest living filmmakers expressing his opinion that one can't have the same movie watching experience on one's mobile phone that one can in a theater. Which I think anyone who has ever watched a movie in a theater and on a phone can agree with. Is seeing a jpeg of the Mona Lisa on one's phone the same as seeing it in person? No. There is content more suitable for mobile devices and there is content less suitable for mobile devices but everyone is different about their threshold of what'll they'll enjoy on such a tiny screen. Just like there are shoes more suitable for running marathons and shoes less suitable for running marathons and if you prefer running marathons in slippers that's your prerogative.

The 'digital age consumer', well pretty much any mainstream consumer, would sacrifice quality for convenience and while that's the nature of the beast it doesn't mean that everyone has to like it.


Lethal

Glad you enjoy his movies I don't, greatest... I don't care for him brand of movies. To each his own.

I'm sure if he would just use say F#@$ing a few more times he would better prove his point. :rolleyes:

@ Westside Guy, I knew he was/is a director, but i don't care for his brand of movie. Am I suppose to be impressed your some sort of movie expert? Relax :)

[koobcamuk]

No, I just like my job (and having a job).

Sure.. but we can't keep the mines open just to keep people in jobs... :)

[LethalWolfe]

Glad you enjoy his movies I don't, greatest... I don't care for him brand of movies. To each his own.

I'm sure if he would just use say F#@$ing a few more times he would better prove his point. :rolleyes:

@ Westside Guy, I knew he was/is a director, but i don't care for his brand of movie. Am I suppose to be impressed your some sort of movie expert? Relax :)
What does his 'brand of movies' have to do w/the point he was making that watching a movie on a mobile device is not the same experience as watching it in a theater? Or on a big, HDTV?


Lethal

[Yvan256]

Hardware sales. This is where Apple makes most of their money. A big pre-established base of subscribers could help sell more Apple TVs.

Too bad the :apple:TV was designed to limit the potential customers base. This thing should have at least had an S-Video output and 4:3 support built-in.

After all, if it's supposed to only support high-end TVs then why the heck does it support 480i? I can understand 480p for components, supporting 480i with no 4:3 support and no S-Video makes no sense.

[hitekalex]

What does his 'brand of movies' have to do w/the point he was making that watching a movie on a mobile device is not the same experience as watching it in a theater? Or on a big, HDTV?


Also, regardless of one's appreciation of David Lynch and his "brand of movies", I wouldn't call a legendary movie director an "idiot".. especially as the opinion he voiced is perfectly reasonable. If Lynch is an "idiot", I wonder what that makes bossxii, who I will bet accomplished much much less with his life.

[bossxii]

What does his 'brand of movies' have to do w/the point he was making that watching a movie on a mobile device is not the same experience as watching it in a theater? Or on a big, HDTV?


Lethal

That's his, and obviously your opinion. It's not going to change my life watching a movie on my laptop vs in a theatre. Sorry I don't place that kind of value on those things like you do.


Just agree we disagree, I'm not derailing another thread over pointless crap. :)

[gkarris]

Question:

Is BlockBuster still in business?

I just passed a couple on the way to work and they're closed down... :eek:

[bossxii]

Also, regardless of one's appreciation of David Lynch and his "brand of movies", I wouldn't call a legendary movie director an "idiot".. especially as the opinion he voiced is perfectly reasonable. If Lynch is an "idiot", I wonder what that makes bossxii, who I will bet accomplished much much less with his life.

You should show your parents how clever you are, they would be proud :)

[DHarrisDBS34]

I can't see this happening. Why would Apple let Blockbuster do this and compete with the iTunes Store?

[Alith]

How is it too little too late? Is there already some establish digital movie distribution channel I don't know about with majority market share encroaching on physical rentals/purchases? You might not believe it but the vast majority of people still physically rent/buy their movies and that won't change for awhile. Even Apple is struggling to get their service off the ground and penetrate the market. Blockbuster has as good a chance as anyone if they market their service well and offer what consumers want.

I was thinking more along the lines of the target demographic being more internet savvy and shopping or stealing things online. I have no data to back this up and don't care enough about the topic to look into it. I've just heard lots of anecdotal evidence from friends in the music industry that have watched it struggle and downsize over the last 5-10 years. I guessed similar industries were in the same boat.

[11800506]

I don't really see someone like Apple dealing with Blockbuster. It's completely against Apple's business model to have another company launch their service on Apple's device especially with Apple's on distribution model.

I agree with those who say too little too late. Our local Blockbuster (and a bunch in the area) finally closed a few weeks ago which finally gave us the push to try Netflix. We did, and we really love it. The free streaming is a really great feature as well and compared to Netflix, Blockbuster's effort seems overpriced. What would really be something would be if Netflix partnered with Apple to bring streaming to the Apple TV. That would be something that I think a lot of people would have more interest in.

[srl7741]

I wonder if Blockbuster is reaching for life preservers as they begin to drown? Apple would be one option but I don't see Apple doing that.

[gkarris]

Too bad the :apple:TV was designed to limit the potential customers base. This thing should have at least had an S-Video output and 4:3 support built-in.

After all, if it's supposed to only support high-end TVs then why the heck does it support 480i? I can understand 480p for components, supporting 480i with no 4:3 support and no S-Video makes no sense.

AppleTV is more a media extender for iTunes. Apple won't compete with gaming consoles or those cheap Windows Media or Netflix boxes...

[LethalWolfe]

That's his, and obviously your opinion. It's not going to change my life watching a movie on my laptop vs in a theatre. Sorry I don't place that kind of value on those things like you do.

Yer missing the point. The point that David Lynch was making is that the you can't get the same experience watching a movie on a mobile device, like a phone, that you can in a theater. Which is true. Just like viewing an image of the statue of David on a phone isn't the same experience as seeing the statue of David in person. That doesn't mean that people can't/shouldn't/won't enjoy media on their phones just that there are concessions to be made for doing so. You are arguing against a position that no one has taken, IMO.


Lethal

[mrklaw]

Where in the article does it say Blockbuster mentions ipods or AppleTV? They could rent you stuff onto macs - which previously has been a PC only solution due to using windows DRM, perhaps they'll use silverlight 3.0 to support downloadable movies on mac? Or even adobe AIR?

[Jelite]

I wish someone would bring a film download service in the UK to compete with Apple.

I can buy the 2 Disc Dark Knight DVD for £5.99 or £10.99 just for the main feature from Apple.:rolleyes:

[KCMichaelB]

Blockbuster reminds me of AOL (a worthless overpriced product which only the naive still use), a worthless service that over charges for its products and has the worst customer service in the world, due to greed rather then being an actual good business.

I will never step foot into Blockbuster again and I hope they fall just as bad as AOL.

I couldn't have said it any better. I haven't stepped one foot into a Blockbuster since 1999 when they accused me of not returning a movie and tried to charge me $29 for it.

[RedTomato]

Haha what an idiot. Once again the old generation that likes newspapers and hardcover books have no clue what the digital age consumers want. There is rarely a movie, as I call it "theatre worthy" as 95% of them are trash.

Yes, Lynch is one of the greatest film-makers alive. I don't like Lucas / Spielberg much and I think Lucas butchered the new Starwars films, but I do accept they are amongst the greats.

You can dislike someone's work and still respect their dedication and the impact they have had on their field of work.

You are also slightly wrong on the 95% figure. More like 99% of current film output is complete utter stinking poo, and shouldn't be seen by anyone. We are in agreement there.

However, when you get to know the film world, you start to know which people you respect, and start keeping an eye out for their films. It could be famous people, it could be obscure 1930's silent comedians (I'm currently in a Buster Keaton obsession) - but the point remains that it's better to see the films you love on a big screen rather than on a laptop or iPhone.

I do agree cinemas are crappy and over priced. That's why I'm buying a video projector to watch films on the big screen for free with my girlfriend and my mates. David Lynch probably watches his auteur films at home too, on a projector, not in the cinema.

Digital age films don't necessarily mean small screen.

[Steve Jobs=God]

Can see this being a interesting business idea for Apple,

Seeing as it's Blockbuster doing the initial approach to Apple, i can them outsourcing their rental services to BB for a large sum and a higher percentage of each rental then they are currently getting.

Unlikely to happen but would be interesting

[jw2002]

Do you realize blockbuster employs roughly 50,000 people? The last thing we need is another company going out of business and increase the amount of unemployed people.

And how in the world is delivery of online content to mobile devices going to keep those 50k employees in their jobs? And what is there about the Blockbuster experience that would even attract customers? Their stores have always had a terrible selection.

Maybe you should think before you post your garbage.

Thanks for the personal attack. I stand by my words. Blockbuster is being killed by Netflix big time. I live in the DC area, and tons of Blockbusters as well as pretty much every other brick and mortar video store have closed down. Their stock is down 75% from a year ago and 90% from 4 years ago, so even the market knew they were a dinosaur -- even before the 2008 economic meltdown. Blockbuster knows that the video store is dead, so they have been forced to compete against Netflix at something that Netflix already does a lot better and at a big profit to boot.

It's only a matter of time before Blockbuster is gone for good. Same goes for TiVo -- I love their product, but it is being eclipsed by other media delivery approaches.

[koobcamuk]

I wish someone would bring a film download service in the UK to compete with Apple.

I can buy the 2 Disc Dark Knight DVD for £5.99 or £10.99 just for the main feature from Apple.:rolleyes:

I wish I knew how. :o

[Eriden]

I for one don't dig subscriptions. Who has time to make it worthwhile? PPV is much better.

Well there are a hell of a lot of us who would rather pay one low monthly fee of ~$20/month for unlimited access to a catalogue than to pay $1.99-$3.99 to rent individual flicks or shows on a PPV model. Unless micropayment rentals are in the equation, I for one prefer to stick with a subscription model.

[iSee]

Wow, from reading this thread I've learned that:

(1) A lot of MR members hate Blockbuster
(2) A lot of MR members love David Lynch

Personally, I'm ambivalent to both. But so what? That's all irrelevant:

If Blockbuster can put together a good VOD service, then it's a good thing.
IMHO, by far the #1 thing holding back immediate VOD services is a lack of enough content. If BB can *really* deliver more desired content than others, then that's great and this is a good thing.

[pkoch1]

I don't think so - I still use blockbuster and love them. I signed up for the 3-movies at the time through the mail/unlimited movies per month/unlimited in store exchanged/2-free movie or game coupons per month. I signed up when it was $17.99 a month. it's now like $35 for the same plan but blockbuster doesn't raise your price - they grandfather you in even though there are no contracts so they could easily just raise the price.

Exactly the same for me. I also live about a 2 minute walk from Blockbuster so It's really easy to always have a movie to watch for only $18 a month. I just went in yesterday and got 6 free movies (3 online trade-ins, my 2 monthly free rentals, and my 1 monthly free rental for being a rewards member) and there are 3 online movies on the way! It will be a movie marathon if I say so myself!

[bossxii]

Yes, Lynch is one of the greatest film-makers alive. I don't like Lucas / Spielberg much and I think Lucas butchered the new Starwars films, but I do accept they are amongst the greats.

You can dislike someone's work and still respect their dedication and the impact they have had on their field of work.

You are also slightly wrong on the 95% figure. More like 99% of current film output is complete utter stinking poo, and shouldn't be seen by anyone. We are in agreement there.

However, when you get to know the film world, you start to know which people you respect, and start keeping an eye out for their films. It could be famous people, it could be obscure 1930's silent comedians (I'm currently in a Buster Keaton obsession) - but the point remains that it's better to see the films you love on a big screen rather than on a laptop or iPhone.

I do agree cinemas are crappy and over priced. That's why I'm buying a video projector to watch films on the big screen for free with my girlfriend and my mates. David Lynch probably watches his auteur films at home too, on a projector, not in the cinema.

Digital age films don't necessarily mean small screen.

That is your opinion and I have no issue with it. I wasn't attacking anyone on this site, I simply stated MY OWN opinion. You don't like Lucas, I don't like Lynch. OK next topic. :)

Yes 99% is probably the case but no matter I would have guessed it would have been wrong :) That's the nature of forums and stating a statistic based on opinion.

The context of the video provided, he came off looking like an idiot. That's all, it's my opinion, no one has to agree with me. I don't need to conform to social pressure that because someone has money or makes a movie I should agree with anything they say. No need for people to get so defensive of someone they don't personally know just because my idea's and opinion don't fit into some little preformed box of what THEY believe is right or socially acceptable.

@ Lethal (to save yet another post :))
I know what I like, I think for myself and I'm not afraid to state my opinion, I hope everyone that finds joy in bashing that kind of thinking feels better, really doesn't matter to me. If I see a turd I call it a turd. Simple as that.

I can list all sorts of "famous" people that I think are idiots. That's the beauty of living in America. I can have my own opinions. I'm done beating this pointless topic to death. Have a nice day. :)

[jjohnny]

You should show your parents how clever you are, they would be proud :)

And if your daddy would have used a condom, we wouldn't be having this dumb conversation. :)

[TwinCities Dan]

^ Some of these comments are very embarrassing for the entire MacRumors Community. :o :(

Let's leave the S&*t-talking on the playground, shall we?

[darklighter]

I hate blockbuster and hope they close down. I use to work for them and I know of their business practice of intentionally opening up a store near a mom and pop video store to close them down, even if their own store is in the red.

[milo]

If blockbuster gets their act together as they appear to be doing and get their downloadable content they could beat Apple. They have much better name recognition for most people when it comes to video rental.

And how much did that help them when Netflix came along?

Blockbuster selling rentals on iTunes/AppleTV makes about as much sense as Apple renting DVD's at the local Blockbuster. :confused:

I'd agree about BB selling on ITUNES, but that's not what is proposed. BB selling online and having it available on aTV would help aTV sales as well as helping blockbuster.

I think a better comparison is iPods playing mp3s and AAC from many sources instead of just content from the iTunes store.

[wbeasley]

Source?

as much as I love digital downloads and tech stuff in general, movies take too long to download and chew thru too much band width.

it's just so much easier to go down to the local video shop, browse, rent and go home and watch them. AND IT'S CHEAPER!

never underestimate the power of price.

digital music downloads work. i would be very worried if i owned a music shop. it's fast AND CHEAP to download music. that's not the same for movies.

and HD downloads are NOT as HD as they should be. Blu ray is still the benchmark and blows everything else away. i will upgrade the movies i really love to blu ray when they come out. renting blu ray is better (and cheaper) than going to the movies. and seems to be getting much closer to cinema release dates as movie companies try hard to ride on their original publicity.

[ddTaylor]

Blockbuster seeking any way possible not to fail entirely.

So?

D

[michael.lauden]

Blockbuster is pretty dead. Netflix is killing them daily - and unless they can strike a great deal with Apple (which why wouldn't Apple go with the video renting company who has higher stock+is doing better in today's economy?) they will be out for sure.

iTunes HD download (IMHO) can have the momentum to not only keep blueray expensive+unpopular, but if they joined with Netflix could overthrow the entire movie industry.

[vvebsta]

isn't it crazy how this tiny little thing called the internet has changed our lives? blockbuster served its purpose when dialup was the only thing available, now all our media will be instant access thanks to fiber optics and soon 4G. kids will be saying, "what's a disk?" sooner than you think. ;)

[redvolvodavid]

I don't think so - I still use blockbuster and love them. I signed up for the 3-movies at the time through the mail/unlimited movies per month/unlimited in store exchanged/2-free movie or game coupons per month. I signed up when it was $17.99 a month. it's now like $35 for the same plan but blockbuster doesn't raise your price - they grandfather you in even though there are no contracts so they could easily just raise the price.

I did not have that experience. I had the exact same plan and loved it, then they raised the price 1 dollar a month, then they raised it again and I said enough. Blockbuster is over.

In addition, why the hell would Apple allow competition into the rental market? I don't have much faith in this article. This is, unless they take an 80% cut of blockbuster's fees-which could be possible for a failing company to agree to...

[MrSmith]

...Competition is good for the market.
I often see this comment stated as though it's an unquestionable truth. IMHO the real truth is that competition brings about a kind of 'lowest common denominator' scenario, a 'one size fits all', that stifles anything stylish or creative that may conflict with the lowest price point. That's fine for generic products like baked beans but people want a choice, including the choice to spend more than necessary if they so desire on products on which the makers have not been forced to cut corners or make compromises.

I just fancied a soapbox moment, so sue me. :p

[AidenShaw]

I often see this comment stated as though it's an unquestionable truth. IMHO the real truth is that competition brings about a kind of 'lowest common denominator' scenario, a 'one size fits all', that stifles anything stylish or creative that may conflict with the lowest price point.

Counter-examples:

http://www.lamborghini.com/

http://www.ferrari.com/

[MrSmith]

Counter-examples:

http://www.lamborghini.com/

http://www.ferrari.com/

I think you mean examples.

[AidenShaw]

I think you mean examples.

No, I definitely mean counter-examples.

You claimed "IMHO the real truth is that competition brings about a kind of 'lowest common denominator' scenario, a 'one size fits all', that stifles anything stylish or creative that may conflict with the lowest price point".

There is plenty of competition in the automotive market, yet Lamborghini and Ferrari continue to set certain standards for style and creativity.

And, to the point, they're not at "the lowest price point".

An example that undermines an argument is a "counter-example".
____________

What competition helps promote is the situation that two companies producing the same product are pushed to sell at similar prices.

For example, competition will make it difficult for company "A" to sell a Xeon 3500 workstation for $2499, when company "D" sells almost identical hardware for $999. Pretty cabinets are nice, but it will be difficult to justify a 250% price increase for a huge, pretty cabinet. It makes it especially hard when company "D"'s computer supports 3 times as much RAM as company "A"'s computer.

[MrSmith]

No, I definitely mean counter-examples.

You claimed "IMHO the real truth is that competition brings about a kind of 'lowest common denominator' scenario, a 'one size fits all', that stifles anything stylish or creative that may conflict with the lowest price point".

There is plenty of competition in the automotive market, yet Lamborghini and Ferrari continue to set certain standards for style and creativity.

And, to the point, they're not at "the lowest price point".

An example that undermines an argument is a "counter-example".
You clearly do not understand basic economic concepts. The two luxury automakers you quote are indeed hoping to sell more than each other (and producing cars they hope will wow buyers more than the other) but are not in competition with the rest of the 'normal' car makers. If they were they would be trying to sell as many as possible as cheaply as possible at any given standard. They are in their own niche (or discrete) market, more susceptible to fuel and tax costs than what anybody else is making.

[AidenShaw]

You clearly do not understand basic economic concepts.

Thank you.


The two luxury automakers you quote are indeed hoping to sell more than each other (and producing cars they hope will wow buyers more than the other) but are not in competition with the rest of the 'normal' car makers.

This is inconsistent with what you originally stated.

To take your argument to the extreme, I could say "if I increase my price by 250%, I'm no longer in competition with the companies at the natural price point", and be happy.

I think that the example of the automotive market proves that competition does not bring "about a kind of 'lowest common denominator' scenario" as you claimed.

Competition in the automotive market forces the premium marques to clearly differentiate themselves from lower tier vendors. No one will mistake a Ferrari for a Saturn, in any way. They both convey a small number of people from point A to point B - but little else is the same.

An Apple running Photoshop and a Dell running Photoshop, however, are exactly the same. Apple will have trouble charging a 250% premium for running Photoshop at the same level of performance as the Dell - especially when the Dell not only support 3 times as much RAM as the Apple, but Photoshop on the Dell is true 64-bit and can actually use the RAM. So the 150% "Apple tax" for the pretty box actually get you less performance on the primary task.

Oops, I mean "computer A" and "computer D".... ;)

[yossim]

It would be nice though if these people would lower their prices. Maybe blockbuster would help lower them...
just a thought.

[LethalWolfe]

I often see this comment stated as though it's an unquestionable truth. IMHO the real truth is that competition brings about a kind of 'lowest common denominator' scenario, a 'one size fits all', that stifles anything stylish or creative that may conflict with the lowest price point. That's fine for generic products like baked beans but people want a choice, including the choice to spend more than necessary if they so desire on products on which the makers have not been forced to cut corners or make compromises.


I'm no following your thought process. You don't want competition but you want choice. AidenShaw brings up a Ford vs. Ferrari example (ones size fits all vs. a product "which the makers have not been forced to cut corners or make compromises") and you say that isn't what you are talking about. Do you want a Ferrari for the price of a Ford? If Ford was the only automaker on Earth do you think they'd sell a Ferrari-type car for the price of a Focus?


Lethal

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Blockbuster's had its time. It's too far behind in the digital era. Although renting Blu-Ray's is really the only positive thing..

How is renting 1080P Blu-Ray too far behind? One could easily argue that it is Apple iTunes at 720P compressed that is "far behind" in at least the quality/resolution respects. If I understand correctly here, Blockbuster is talking about offering movie rentals online to download. Again, how is THAT behind the times? Compared to the crappy local rental place I have down the street (that still uses over half their floor space to rent VHS!!!), Blockbuster would be nice to have nearby, especially if it meant I could get their discs in the mail and return them to the local store so I could get the next batch in the mail that much faster AND have a local browsing option if I'm out shopping.

If Blockbuster could offer a partnership and/or alternative to Apple's iTunes store for my AppleTV with Apple's blessing, I'd be all for it since Apple is missing a *LOT* of titles. They've had over a year to get 720P HD movies to rent and they're sadly still pretty low in the total number of rentals available. I also don't like how the SD rentals/purchases do not have Dolby 5.1 sound. There is no technical limitation there (all my own rips/encodes have 5.1 where available and most have commentary and stereo tracks to boot!) and therefore there is no excuse for Apple in that area.

Sadly, I'd have to say it is Apple that is the dinosaur in many media areas still. While they are riding the forefront of phone technology, their Quicktime "standard" won't passthrough Dolby Digital 5.1 and that's just SAD in 2009! The format has been WIDELY available since the mid 1990's! Why is it that the version on AppleTV will do it and their laptops and "desktops" won't? Could it be to push buying AppleTV units or are they that incompetent? I'm not really sure at this point given the whole copy/paste thing on the iPhone. Will Quicktime X finally add the option in Snow Leopard? I doubt it....

[MrSmith]

I'm no following your thought process. You don't want competition but you want choice. AidenShaw brings up a Ford vs. Ferrari example (ones size fits all vs. a product "which the makers have not been forced to cut corners or make compromises") and you say that isn't what you are talking about. Do you want a Ferrari for the price of a Ford? If Ford was the only automaker on Earth do you think they'd sell a Ferrari-type car for the price of a Focus?


Lethal
I didn't say what I want in all cases. In some cases competition is a good thing. In others, something less than perfect competition is better. Ideally I want a choice between mass-produced cheap 'n' cheerful and 'better' stuff at a premium. I'm arguing that having only the former (per the original quote, 'competition is good for the market') is not ideal. If a manufacturer does not have to worry about making the most for the least they are able to add unnecessary refinements and 'waste' more in R&D, etc. I am prepared to pay more for say, off the top of my head, Apples iLife suite because it's convenient, fits together nicely, etc. There are freeware/shareware alternatives out there, but I am happy that Apple isn't directly competing with an iLife alternative. Apple can concentrate on making it a good product for people prepared to pay for quality instead of trying to flog it to a mass (undiscerning?) market.

I said competition tends to bring about a LCD scenario. AidenShaw's suggestion that Ferrari and Ford are examples of companies that survive in a competition without bowing to pressures of low cost/high demand is misleading because they are not in the same market. Their customer bases do not overlap. There is no competition. OK, maybe that doesn't support my argument, but it certainly doesn't contradict the LCD scenario.

[LethalWolfe]

Competition doesn't mean lowest common denominator. For example, there are many luxury car makers (Lexus, MB, BMW, Infiniti, etc.,) that are all competitors but obviously don't cater to the lowest common denominator. There are also different tiers of software, video cameras, home theater systems, etc.,. The buying power of a company's target demographic for a specific product plays a big part in the features and the price tag of said product. You are also making a big assumption that a company w/a monopoly or near monopoly in a specific market will be more altruistic than greedy. If iLife had more direct competition would the apps be more feature filled than they are now? If Dell was the only computer maker in town would they sell better PCs at 'today's prices' or would they sell 'today's computers' for twice as much?


Lethal

[MacFly123]

I am just very excited to see what the Apple TV has in store this year with their renewed interest and investment in the platform :)

Can you imagine content deals, new hardware and "wii" remote, dvr, safari, an sdk and the app store..... SIGN ME UP!!! BRING IT APPLE! :D

[MrSmith]

Competition doesn't mean lowest common denominator. For example, there are many luxury car makers (Lexus, MB, BMW, Infiniti, etc.,) that are all competitors but obviously don't cater to the lowest common denominator. There are also different tiers of software, video cameras, home theater systems, etc.,. The buying power of a company's target demographic for a specific product plays a big part in the features and the price tag of said product. You are also making a big assumption that a company w/a monopoly or near monopoly in a specific market will be more altruistic than greedy. If iLife had more direct competition would the apps be more feature filled than they are now? If Dell was the only computer maker in town would they sell better PCs at 'today's prices' or would they sell 'today's computers' for twice as much?


Lethal
I'm not disagreeing. My original (and only) point was that competition is not necessarily a good thing by right. Whether that means in some cases a monopoly would be a good thing is academic. Privatization (i.e. the resulting competition) of the UK postal service was a disaster. That really did become cheapness over quality. But that's just one example, a nationalized industry rather than a real market monopoly and therefore maybe irrelevant. Lastly, if a monopoly in non-essentials tries to screw its customers they will answer with closed wallets.

[synth3tik]

Blockbuster lost my business a long time ago. This is too little way way to late.

[mdntcallr]

This is great, Blockbuster coming to Mac's, Ipod's, iphones and Apple TV is a great thing.

I don't know why people have problems with it. The more content people can watch on Macs.... the better.

Look at the great content flood on Macs for 2008-2009.

Netflix
Amazon Video
and alot more... some sites like hotmovies.com (isnt it always adult that helps paves the way in new tech)
-------
Now possibly Blockbuster... fantastic.

But... to me the biggest issue is that most of these are using streaming media solutions. ie Microsoft Silverlight or Adobe's solution. this allows for DRM protection for studios.

But... Mac doesn't have a good download solution. what happens if someone wants to watch content while on the road, for plane flights or when they are offline. the only content they can rent is... via iTunes.

There needs to be a subscription, rental solution that isn't just supplied from Apple. I know to many this is sacrilege. but i just don't think we should rely on Apple for everything.

Apple needs to start playing a more open system ... Apple TV needs Netflix on it. maybe amazon and blockbuster as well.

Mac's and iphones/ipods need to play well with others as well. this includes opening up the Apple Fairplay DRM to allow for other companies to sell/rent product to Apple Product loving consumers like us.

Apple needs to be more open to deals with companies like blockbuster.

[mdntcallr]

Blockbuster lost my business a long time ago. This is too little way way to late.

this is different, try out Amazon Video on your ac ... it works great. basically it is the same thing. movie rentals without the physical disc.

Blockbuster without the late fee's. if they offer a good service, i hope you would give it a shot, we need competition for consumers, not just itunes.

[muskratboy]

I definitely get my moneys worth as I never mail the movies back I just exchange them for new movies in the store and then they mail me the next movies from my queue...sometimes I have as many as 6 movies at a time. Oh and no late fees either...

um... not any more you don't. BB is obviously flailing around, as they've revised their online service about 6 times in the last year. they are just trying anything you can think of.

now you have one "universal queue" ... so you DON'T have 6 movies at once, you have 3. you don't get a new one sent until you've returned your store box copy. this is a new change, apparently requested by all the incompetent morons who can't tell the difference between a box and an envelope... and so they essentially REQUESTED that their service be cut in half, for the same price. morons.

so instead of having boxes for 5 days and envelopes for infinite days... now you have all movies for infinite days. which means you get basically half as many movies.

now i just want to find a movie they have a single copy of, that is still somewhat important... and just keep it forever. i'm sure the local store will love that..

"this guy has had "shaun of the dead" checked out for 3 years. do you think we could maybe get that back?" :rolleyes:

[pkoch1]

now you have one "universal queue" ... so you DON'T have 6 movies at once, you have 3. you don't get a new one sent until you've returned your store box copy. this is a new change, apparently requested by all the incompetent morons who can't tell the difference between a box and an envelope... and so they essentially REQUESTED that their service be cut in half, for the same price. morons.

I still get mine sent to me when I return the online movies, not when I return the in-store movies.

From the TOS:

If you have the maximum number of BLOCKBUSTER Online Rentals allowed by your plan checked out, no additional movies will be shipped until you return one or more of the BLOCKBUSTER Online Rentals.