Dish Network $1 Movies

Source: Home Media Magazine

The satellite television provider Dish Network has a pretty amazing deal for on demand movie rentals.

Typically new video on demand movies will cost you $3.99 but through July 7th select new releases will only cost you 99¢. Not only is the price right but there are some pretty decent flicks to choose from including She's Out of My League, Alice In Wonderland, Green Zone and Hot Tub Time Machine. After ordering the movies are available for viewing a full day, just in case you missed it the first time around for some reason. On top of that all of these VOD movies are available in standard and 1080p high definition (for no extra charge!) depending on the quality of your TV.

So if you Dish subscribers aren't to busy trying to lose a limb in some amateur pyrotechnic display, or the weather is just being crappy, for less than a dollar you have a pleasant alternative.

Redbox Dabbles in Video Games

Source: Home Media Magazine

It is a cautious start, but Redbox now not only rents out DVDs and some Blu-rays but a very limited catalog of video games as well.

Last week Redbox started experimenting with $2 a night game rentals in about 150 kiosks Austen, TX as well as lukewarm efforts in Reno, NV and Wilmington, NC. If you are in one of these localities and are a gamer who rents it may behoove to check this out.

The success or failure of these limited rentals may dictate how and if Redbox decides to make a major video game push. I think Redbox has every intention on adding video games to its wares in the near future, regardless of how these trial runs turn out, as video game rentals is big business racking in about $10 billion dollars annually.

The key to adding video games to the Redbox kiosks is simply a matter of space economy. These entertainment vending machines can only hold so much, and video games will need to be able to earn their place inside of them. If DVDs and Blu-rays can earn more then games simply will not be included.

It has been a while since I actually rented a game (I can't tell you how many times I forced my mom to rent Battletoads/Double Dragon for the NES back in the day) but is $2 a day too steep? Or do you guys feel that is fairly reasonable?

Blockbuster On Demand

Source: Home Media Magazine

Blockbuster has been experimenting with streaming content directly to Verizon customers with wireless devices for a while now and with the release of the new Motorola Droid X the deal has sweetened.

You don't need a Droid X to participate in the new Blockbuster video service as it will work on various devices equipped with Blockbuster On Demand, but it is probably the slickest way to watch the content.

"What content?" I assumed you asked. Well by using what is being called "Blockbuster On Demand Presented By V Cast Mobile" you can have access to the newest releases the day that they also hit the DVD shelves. You have the option to either rent or own, with rentals priced at a fairly reasonable $3.99 and $9.99 to own.

Looks like Blockbuster is getting its content streaming feet wet, even if right now it is just limited to Verizon customers.

Why Blockbuster Is In Trouble

Source: Gizmodo

This, my friends, is a direct quote from the mouth of Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes ... hold on to your pants:

"I don't have to figure out how to get it from my Nintendo machine to the screen. I know I can do it, but I don't want to - it makes my head hurt to think about it."

Wow.

Mr. Keyes up there is of course referring the complex act of inserting the Netflix disc into a Wii and the apparent headache that the entire process induces. If I had stock in Blockbuster I probably wouldn't for much longer. That above quote may be excusable for, say, my grandmother to utter but a CEO of a company that specializes in video rentals?

This actually explains a lot about Blockbuster and how it hasn't exactly been proactive in competing with online streaming services like Netflix. Blockbuster recently pulled off something of a media embargo and has exclusive rights for 28 days on new releases, but that is far from enough to keep them competitive in the rental market.

Yes it is true, Blockbuster now has a mailing service similar to Netflix and has a kiosk system similar to Redbox but it apparently has no plans to go digital as this candid interview with Jim Keyes proves.

CEO Jim Keyes is obviously a firm believer in the old school rental train of thought, he has had to be, and while I still feel that going and renting a hard copy of a flick still has its place it is by no means the most convenient method. Blockbuster needs to do something drastic if it is going to survive this new age of instant gratification, streaming is the future and it is time for the people like Mr. Keyes who run the company to come to terms with this fact.