Microsoft: Redbox Instant to be Xbox 360 exclusive launch
updated 03:11 pm EST, Tue February 5, 2013
Streaming service still expected in first quarter of 2013
According to a blog post by Larry Hyrb, the Xbox Live director of programming, Verizon's Redbox Instant movie streaming service is coming to the Xbox 360 as a console launch exclusive. Xbox Live subscribers currently involved in the Redbox Instant beta program will be receiving emails with unique codes to access the app on the Xbox 360 in "the coming days." Both an Xbox Live Gold account, and a Redbox Instant account are required for the service.
A monthly fee of $8 per month for DVD or $9 per month for Blu-Ray gives users four rental-days from kiosks, as well as unlimited access to the streaming library. Customers can register up to five devices with the service, including those running iOS and Android, Samsung TVs with Smart TV capabilities, some makes of Blu-Ray players and the Xbox 360. Streaming through a browser will use Microsoft's Silverlight browser extension.
CEO of RedBox Instant by Verizon Shawn Strickland announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that the highly-anticipated offering will launch before the end of the first quarter of 2013. The service, currently in invitation-only beta testing, was rumored to have launched at the end of December but was held up by unspecified technical issues.
