Ears On

Will Netflix Go Non-Postal?

Mark Fleischmann  |  Jun 22, 2006

Netflix is eyeing the movie-download market, according to Variety. Eric Besner, VP for original programming, told a movie- and TV-production conference in LA that a new service would download movies overnight into a proprietary set-top box. Pricing may be the same as existing subscription fees for hard copies by post. Though scrapping with Blockbuster to shore up its existing business, Netflix sees the writing on the wall (and the profits in the rack). Various services are already bidding to replace videodisc rental. One of them, Movielink, is reportedly up for sale. The 800-pound gorillas are Verizon and AT&T, whose set-top boxes may ultimately become ubiquitous for movie downloads and dozens of other uses—but only if they cut the right deals with Hollywood. If Netflix wants a piece of the movie-download pie, it'll have to move fast. Besner said the service may begin before year-end.

COMMENTS
Ian Bell's picture
Submitted by Ian Bell (not verified) on June 27, 2006 - 4:55pm

I can understand Netflixes thinking, but the last thing people want is another box in their cabinet. There are only a few players that can truely make this happen. The big "gorillas" as you say, Comcast, AT&T, Cox that are promoting their VOD services. TiVo has a great opportunity as well if they ever make up their mind regarding their business strategy. Akimbo is trying mighty hard to make this happen, but like I said, people really do not want another box....and if they do it will be their PC.

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