Array of services growing for on-demand entertainment.
Want to check out that new flick or the latest video game? Besides a trip to the theater, watching movies available from your local cable/satellite provider or buying the latest hot video game, there are number of good options to consider.
Netflix offers a mail subscription DVD and Blu-ray disc rental service as well as video streaming via the Internet.
Netflix streaming options are numerous: the firm supports computers, all of the major mobile platforms including Android and iOS, a variety of game consoles, practically all of the dedicated streaming devices as well as many popular Blu-ray players and TVs.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings recently announced that it will split off its U.S.-only DVD service to a separate website called Qwikster. The new DVD-by-mail service will offer DVD rentals as well as video game rentals for Playstation3, Xbox and Wii, according to Netflix’s announcement.
Game rental pricing has not yet been announced. Video game rentals will be available as an upgrade, similar to the way customers can currently upgrade from DVDs to Blu-ray discs.
This will put Qwikster in direct competition with Gamefly, a video game subscription service that provides video games by mail starting at $7.95 per month.
Of course, there are a sizeable number of competing services. Comcast offers on-demand cable movies, sports events and other goodies.
Outside of DVD-by-mail subscription services, there are a couple of good local options for consumers.
Popping up everywhere — like phone booths in the ’70s — Redbox automated kiosks provide DVD as well as Blu-ray movie rentals starting at $1. Recently, Redbox introduced video games rentals for Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation at select locations. Redbox is just becoming too convenient to ignore.
Besides the availability of Redbox Kiosk at multiple locations, Redbox offers the convenience of online reservations. You can use the Redbox website at www.redbox.com or use one of its mobile applications available for Android and iOS to browse and reserve movies as well as finding the nearest kiosk via maps.
If you prefer brick and mortar stores, Blockbuster, which is now part of television provider Dish Network, is available. Besides a traditional DVD/Blu-ray rental business, Blockbuster on-demand works with select Blu-ray players, mobile devices and computers. It also offers rentals by mail with in-store exchange privileges as well as video game rentals at select locations.
The Blockbuster mail subscription service starts at $9.99 per month for its one-disc at a time service with a 30-day trial available. They also offer two- and three-discs at a time service for $14.99 and $19.99 respectively.
One advantage to renting select titles from Blockbuster is early availability. Blockbuster opted to pay the premium demanded by several of the movie studios allowing it access to some new releases 28 days before they are available on Netflix (Qwikster) or Redbox.
Delaying DVD releases was seen as a way to boost DVD sales.
This story featured in the Business section of The Pueblo Chieftain.
