The Blockbuster vs. Netflix Battle
By Andy Denton on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 2:53 pm
About two years ago Blockbuster had a big advertising blitz around the time of the Super Bowl - they were eliminating late fees. Shortly after that, they tried to add an online service to their regular bricks-and-mortar stores (to compete with Netflix). Well, a year later and customers were slow to adapt. Netflix was kicking Blockbuster’s butt.
Until recently… Blockbuster has an interesting proposal by which Netflix can never compete. A few weeks ago, Blockbuster rolled out their “Total Access” plan. The basics are just like the Netflix service. You sign up online. You get your DVD’s delivered to you in the mail. You can keep up to 3 rentals at a time. You also can mail them back and wait for your next DVD to arrive - just like Netflix. But, in addition to this, you can also opt to take your DVD’s back to ANY Blockbuster store.
In essence, you get to bypass the long mail time waits, and get your next rental right away! No waiting for the hot new titles, no long waits.
Today, Netflix fought back. They can’t offer the same convenience of Blockbuster. But, they can be innovative. In an effort to stay ahead of the Jones’s, Netflix has rolled out a “Watch Now” service. As an added bonus to your Netflix membership, with no additional costs, each Netflix member can view full version TV shows and other content from the likes of NBC, Sony, MGM, 20th Century Fox, and others.
I’m all for online video. But, who wants to sit in front of their computer for more than 30 minutes at a time? Sitcoms belong on the television, not on the PC.
If I were a bigger couch potato, my money would go to Blockbuster. But, for now, I’ll stick with my Movies on Demand. 
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Comment from Rickenbacker
Posted on Tuesday, 16 January 2007 at 6:41 pm
Interesting debate. I heard about that this morning and thought the same thing. Although I think Steve Jobs came up with something that will let you move it to your TV. Otherwise, I would never sit in front of my computer for that long!
Comment from Will
Posted on Wednesday, 17 January 2007 at 11:18 pm
I have watched TV shows on the computer a few times when I have missed them on TV, but I don’t think I would want to do it on a regular basis.
