Blockbuster to offer movies, TV over TiVo
updated 07:45 am EDT, Wed March 25, 2009
Blockbuster Movies on TiVo
Blockbuster today said it would start delivering movies and TV shows over TiVo's DVRs. The tie-in will give users about 10,000 combined movies and TV shows that can be purchased or rented from any Series 2, Series 3 or HD series device. The company is offering movie rentals for between $2 and $4 and permanent movie purchases between $15 and $20. As part of the deal, Blockbuster says it will also start selling TiVo units in its retail stores.
The deal follows a similar option for the 2Wire MediaPoint but is the first such mainstream device to get the feature, according to Blockbuster. More devices should get the online video catalog soon but haven't been announced. For the company, its digital services are considered critical to its survival as its traditional, hard-copy rental business has continued to decline in recent months.
Blockbuster's addition also further supports TiVo's efforts to rival network devices such as the Apple TV and VUDU Box, which are confined to single services. TiVos already have access to purchases and rentals over Amazon Video On Demand as well as unlimited, subscription viewing via Netflix.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 1999
!permanent
They're only permanent until either Tivo or Blockbuster goes out of business, which these days seems like not too much longer... Don't buy DRM'd content, it's not really permanent.