Redbox Instant launches nationwide starting at $8 per month

[Shawn Knight]

Redbox Instant has completed its beta run and is now open to the general public. The service from Verizon combines streaming movies and DVD rentals via Redbox in a convenient bundle starting at just $8 per month ($9 monthly if you prefer Blu-ray rentals).

The service offers unlimited streaming access to 4,600 streaming titles from the likes of Warner Bros. and Epix, a joint venture between MGM Studios, Lionsgate, Paramount and Viacom. The streaming catalog is smaller than more established outfits like Amazon, Hulu Plus and Netflix but the company is hoping that the DVD rental service will make up for any shortcomings.

Members are entitled to four free DVD or Blu-ray rentals per month at any of the 35,000 Redbox kiosks nationwide as part of their Instant plan. Furthermore, the service allows customers to rent or buy new titles online that aren’t yet available for streaming. It’s worth pointing out that members won’t be able to use their Redbox rentals for this service.

In an interview with GigaOm, Redbox Instant CEO Shawn Strickland said the service saw interest from hundreds of thousands of people during the closed beta. What’s more, the beta confirmed their belief that there are still a lot of people that value physical rentals. Tens of thousands stuck around after the free trial and are now paying customers, he said.

With regards to original content (something that competitors like Netflix and even YouTube are now exploring), the executive said such talk is premature as they don’t yet have enough insight into what sort of exclusive content members would be interested in.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/51951-redbox-instant-launches-nationwide-starting-at-8-per-month.html

 

[Guest]

You have to love America for the competitive spirit. Personally I am a faithful consumer and will stick with Netflix. Good luck red...

 

[learninmypc]

I'll stick with my local library since one is forced to have a credit card just to sign up for a so-called free trial period at Netflix.
Between my local library, crackle & youtube, I'll be happy for quite some time. I don't care if they're not first run.

 

[soldier1969]

Or you could just get a VPN and torrent everything...Just saying.

 

[tipstir]

Netflix is the best for me. I can watch it all Windows PCs (desktops, laptops, netbooks and tablets) I can also watch in on Network Media Players like SONY SMP-N100, SMP-N200, SONY B-Ray, Android Tablets and Android Smart Phones. They have movies you just can't find anywhere else. Second them would be Amazon Prime Instant Videos those are HD just like Netflix. Amazon also gives you free ones if you use your PC instead of a Network Media Player. Vudu HDX is very good price is way to high to use. I used up all the free movies deals they had. Since I had so many SONY SMP locks of perks. Redbox I'll take a pass.

 

[9Nails]

I might give them a shot and see what they have. Netflix can, at times, feel stale as far as their streaming service goes. And the DVD service is an extra cost. Redbox seems to offer both streaming and disc rental for one price. I wonder if the video games are included or can be added on?

 

[tipstir]

How can Netflix media be stale, there is so much to offer. I now run off laptop with HDMI on Windows Media Center, but sometimes the DRM Rights issue gets corrupted. There is PlayRights file that needs to be deleted when you delete it gets restored with a fresh one. Another glitch from MS the same issue if you run Windows 8 Media Center too. Once those glitches are fix not bad. Crackle TV has some nice stuff going on like the old Prisoner series from the 60's, couple of movies. I still feel the best bet will be Netflix. Redbox just playing catch-up. Amazon Prime Instant Videos and Netflix has a lot media to watch. Redbox will offer the same media, they all have the same media unless Redbox will carry all Walt Disney Movies?

 

[Guest]

Having 35,000 kiosks can seem convenient but what about when the kiosk is full and you have to find another one to return your movie. Or how about when the movie is out? Streaming is much better. I like that Redbox Instant has mobile movie apps though. I also like to watch movies on my breaks when I work at DISH. There are a lot more titles to choose from with my DISH Blockbuster @Home service, which has been around a lot longer than Netflix Instant, plus it costs about the same as Redbox Instant. I get the movies I want, when I want them, which is a more convenient way to watch for me.

 

[Guest]

It's a shame that Redbox doesn't expand to Linux!

 

[Guest]

It's a shame that Redbox doesn't expand to Linux!

It's a shame that Linux doesn't support DRM!

 

[Guest]

Or you could just get a VPN and torrent everything...Just saying.

Torrents are unreliable since there are not enough seeders to keep the torrents alive. Most torrents are only good for up to a week. After that, they become useless as soon as the 'Hit and Run' leechers completed their downloads and vanished into the night.

 

[Guest]

It's a shame that Redbox doesn't expand to Linux!

It's a shame that Linux doesn't support DRM!

You hit the nail on the head. DRM is a prerequisite for viewing content so if Linux users want to watch their favorite content on their platform then they need to swallow their pride and learn to embrace DRM with open arms.