According to a report from The
Hollywood Reporter, Blockbuster is secretly working on a device which will
allow video content to be streamed directly to a TV.
It seems like the new device will be ready for launch this
month, but there are no other details such as its technical abilities or the
price.
However, The Hollywood Reporter noted that the content will
be provided by Movielink, a former joint-effort of MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner, which
was acquired last year by Blockbuster. Movielink has a library of 6,600 movies.
A Blockbuster spokesperson declined to comment about this
specific rumor, but it confirmed that they are working with various partners “about
products, services, alliances and initiatives that can help us achieve our
mission to transform Blockbuster into a company that provides access to media
content across multiple channels”
So far, Apple TV has failed to be a success, but in January
at MacWorld, Steve Jobs introduced a new, cheaper, version, along with the
introduction of movie rentals on iTunes.
Apple TV Take Two has a new software that ensures a seamless
integration with Movie Rentals, allowing movie fans to rent and watch movies
right from their widescreen TV, with no computer required. Also, it can be used
for viewing photos from the computers, Flickr and .Mac Web Galleries.
A 40-gigabyte model is sold for only $229, while a
160-gigabyte model costs $329. Besides Apple TV, Blockbuster will compete against the
device promised earlier this year by Netflix and LG. Netflix already allows
subscribers to stream a selection of films to their computer screens at no
extra cost. The company offers more than 90,000 titles on DVD and around 6,000
titles via the Internet.
Also, Amazon Unbox, the movie service of the online retailer
Amazon is available on TiVo boxes since last year.
Earlier this week, Blockbuster added in its stores Blu-ray
movies for rent and sale. The offer will become available in stores across the United States and Canada, as well as domestic
franchise locations.
Blu-ray kiosks will become available throughout Blockbuster
stores, the company said, adding that in addition to the Blu-ray titles
available online, it will also begin offering online subscribers a preference
setting which will automatically indicate if they wish to receive all available
titles in this format via their mail service.
Regarding the kiosks, the company announced that they will
feature a 42-inch high-definition TV with movies, via a PlayStation 3 console,
in order to reinforce the idea that “PS3 consoles double as Blu-ray players.”