Ever since it nearly KO'd Blockbuster, Los Gatos, Calif.-based Netflix has become a hot commodity. In one year, its stock has tripled. It has taken on major cable companies like Time Warner and subscription content providers like HBO. It has successfully transitioned from being a DVD mailing company to a streaming content provider; all while surpassing 20 million subscribers.
Naturally, this kind of success inspired several rival services, the latest one from Amazon. Here is a breakdown of those who have taken aim at the streaming content king.
Hulu Plus is competition for only the TV side of business. However, it has one significant advantage over Netflix; instant access to full, currently airing TV shows (minus those on the CBS network). It also has an extensive back catalog of seasons of past TV shows, although Netflix and most of the others have that as well. At $7.99 per month, it can also be watched on a variety of devices ranging from the iPhone to connected TVs. IBTimes Screen GrabVudu, which is run by retail chain Wal-Mart, is similar to iTunes. Instead of subscriptions, it rents out streamed movies directly to the connected device (PS3, Blu-Ray players, computers via Boxee box and connected TVs). It has $2 rentals for two days. Vudu, which has mostly movies and fewer TV shows than the others, says its same day as DVD and has a 1080 HD, cinema like experience are advantages over the others. REUTERSOne time movie rental mega-chain BlockBuster has had its own VOD service for a few years now. It’s similar to the iTunes/Vudu/CinemaNow model. Instead of subscription, it offers rentals and buys for various prices. Rentals are around $3.99 for unlimited viewings in a 24-hour period and buys starting at $9.99. It’s available on mobile phones, computers and various connected blu-ray players, game consoles and TVs. REUTERSRedbox is offering Americans a one-day free movie rental on Thursday, Mar. 8 to commemorate the company passing its two billionth rental mark. Customers can enjoy a one-day free movie rental by using the promotional code, THANKS2U, found on the company's Facebook page. Reuters
