streaming-video

Blockbuster Movie Pass no Netflix killer

commentary Talk about a serious letdown.

Anticipation was high that Dish Network would unveil a streaming video service through Blockbuster that would compete--and even possibly undercut--Netflix, which isn't exactly feeling the love right now. Instead, Dish announces a bundle of streaming videos; DVDs and games by mail; and access to premium movie channels--but only to Dish customers.

So those of you looking to leave Netflix in righteous anger over the way the company has treated you in the recent months might want to pause for a moment, because Blockbuster Movie Pass is no viable alternative. In hindsight, we probably … Read more

Look out, Netflix: Dish set to unveil Blockbuster streaming details Friday

Reed Hastings' week has gone from bad to worse.

Monday began with the Netflix CEO issuing an apology for the company's recent price hike, even as he unveiled a controversial decision to split its streaming and DVD-by-mail offerings into separate companies.

Now comes word that the week will end with news from onetime archrival Blockbuster. The company--now a division of Dish Network--has announced a Friday press conference at which it will unveil what it calls "the most comprehensive home entertainment package ever." The 10 a.m. PT San Francisco event is dubbed "A Stream Come … Read more

The 404 906: Where Qwikster delivers the booty (podcast)

Happy birthday to the emoticon, invented 29 years ago today on a computer-science bulletin board at Carnegie Mellon University. Thanks for making parents around the world feel tech-savvy. :)

Before we get into the important Netflix news of of the day, Jeff tells us about his weekend experience at "Sleep No More," an interactive theater experience in New York that's loosely based on the Macbeth story--with a creepy twist. The plot plays out in various acts throughout a three-story abandoned warehouse in Chelsea, so tune in to hear more spoiler-free details and reserve your tickets here!

Next we'll get into the Netflix mea culpa delivered by e-mail and blog post this morning that's giving current Netflix subscribers even more reasons to moan about the recent price hike.

CEO Reed Hastings announced that the company will soon split in two, with the name of the DVD mail rental service changing to Qwikster (not to be confused with Quixtar, QuickStar, Kwikster, Quickster, or Quik-Star), while the video-streaming arm will retain the Netflix name and Web address.

We'll also talk today about a satellite plunging from space, a group of scientists that are poaching PS3 gamers to help find a cure for AIDS, and the last single-space parking meter disappearing in Manhattan today.

The 404 Digest for Episode 906

The emoticon was invented 29 years ago today. Netflix CEO: " I slid into arrogance." PS3 users are helping to find a cure for AIDS. A satellite loosely based on "Donnie Darko" is coming to Earth. World's largest sperm bank refusing donations from redheads. Iguana Fart.

Episode 906 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Netflix CEO's apology brings new backlash

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings tried yesterday to assuage customer wrath about the company's price hike, but instead ended up triggering a new round with news that its streaming-video and DVD-by-mail services will be almost completely separated.

Hastings on Sunday night offered an apology for the company's customer communications shortcomings, an attempt to justify the separation of the services, and some details about how customers who want both will now have two separate Web sites, movie queues, rating systems, search boxes, and payments.

The apology sounds genuine, and Hastings also is engaging with customers in the post's comments. … Read more

Fanhattan review: One app to rule your iPad video

Devices like Apple's iPad are revolutionary for their myriad ways of accessing TV and movies, but discoverability across services is a huge pain. Example: knowing whether any Steven Spielberg movies are on Netflix streaming. Or, is your favorite TV show on Hulu, Netflix, or neither? Is it on iTunes, or maybe even Vudu? Fanhattan is an app that intends to help users tackle this problem by tying together a media-browsing interface and search that doubles as a launcher for those TV shows and movies. The app launched earlier this year, but a recent app update has added more features, including a Facebook connection. Is it the ultimate way to figure out what video to watch on your iPad? Well, it's close.… Read more

Orb Live streams tons of media

Meet Orb Live, a versatile media app that lets you stream free Hulu content, premium videos, and even your home media library right to your Android device. Since it requires no subscription fee, it's $9.99 download price may be a great deal for those wishing for more multimedia on the go.

Here's how it works. First, install Orb Caster on your PC or Mac (for free), and point the program to your multimedia folders so it knows which files to make available for streaming. You can also point it to your iTunes and have it stream everything … Read more

Get a D-Link Boxee Box for $119.99

It was barely a week ago that D-Link dropped the price of the Boxee Box to $180, down from $200, but that's still too rich for my blood.

Today only, and while supplies last, Sellout.woot has the refurbished D-Link Boxee Box for $119.99, plus $5 for shipping. My question for you: even at that price, is the Box worth buying? (If it sells out, I guess we'll know.)

For those unfamiliar with it, Boxee is a media-streaming set-top gizmo that competes with the likes of Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku. However, even at $120, it'… Read more

Netflix vs. Blockbuster: What's the best service for streaming and DVDs?

Editors' note (September 19, 2011): Since this story was first published, several important changes have occurred. Netflix has initiated new pricing plans and is spinning off its DVD-by-mail program into a separate company known as Qwikster; Starz content will be disappearing from Netflix streaming as of February 28, 2012; a new Blockbuster subscription streaming service is rumored to be debuting before the end of the year. We'll update this story in the future once the details on these new developments are fully revealed.

There are more choices than ever for your entertainment dollar, but Netflix and Blockbuster remain the only two that offer both online streaming and disc-by-mail options. Recent changes to both--a controversial Netflix price hike and a change of ownership for Blockbuster--make this a perfect time to re-examine how both of these vendors stack up against one another.

In the analysis below, we explain how Netflix and Blockbuster stack up against each other on both fronts (discs and streaming), look at the other competitors (including Hulu Plus, Amazon, Vudu, and iTunes), and make an overall recommendation on the best choices for you.… Read more

Starz halts licensing talks with Netflix

Starz, the premium movie channel that owns the Internet rights to movies from Disney and Sony Pictures, has stopped talking with Netflix about renewing their streaming-licensing agreement and announced it will pull its content off Netflix when the deal expires in February.

Here's what Starz said in a statement this afternoon.

"Starz Entertainment has ended contract renewal negotiations with Netflix. When the agreement expires on February 28, 2012, Starz will cease to distribute its content on the Netflix streaming platform. This decision is a result of our strategy to protect the premium nature of our brand by preserving … Read more

Apple TV vs. Roku 2: What's the best streaming-media device for under $100?

There are more ways to stream Internet video--Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and the like--than ever before. On that subject, I've laid out my hardware recommendations for a variety of consumers in an earlier blog post ("Which streaming-media device is right for you?"). But looming large in the marketplace these days are the two $99 offerings: Apple TV and Roku 2. It's enough of a horse race that it's worth a separate discussion.

Before we start, a few key points apply to both units:… Read more