If you have ever wanted to rent movies from the comfort of your couch or computer, you can now do so with ease, thanks to numerous online services that allow you to skip the movie store.
In Canada, it would seem online rental services are not damaging local video stores; likely because several companies have created their own internet-based rental systems in recognition of the demand.
“We’re not noticing that big of decrease in customers. It’s not affecting business,” said Matthew Miller, an associate at Movie Gallery.
In the United States, though, there are more competitors in the online TV and movie rental business, and traditional rental companies are feeling the effect. So much so that some journalists are predicting the fall of rental-giant Blockbuster.
“For Blockbuster, there is currently no prospect for growth. Not only is it incapable of breaking the Netflix shell, the brick-and-mortar stores are failing, and there is little chance it will be able to capitalize on the future of movie rentals—downloading,” says Don Reisinger of CNET’s News.com.
Some people don’t seem as willing to stop renting movies the old fashioned way, but online rentals are becoming more popular with those who have the hardware to take advantage of them.
“Downloading movies today requires a certain degree of tech savvy-ness and the appropriate hardware in your house–which may or may not be connected to your television set. So, there’s something to be said for going down to the store for an impulse rental,” said Gordon Haff, a writer for News.com
With Netflix, there are no late fees. Customers pay a flat monthly fee, and movies are mailed to them one at a time, and mailed back when customers are done with them. Zip.ca is the Canadian alternative, and works much the same way. Each service allows consumers to rent more than one DVD at a time, at an increased price.
Netflix recently introduced streaming TV shows and movies to your computer or TV, given you have a high-speed connection and capable equipment. Zip.ca doesn’t seem to offer this service yet.
Originally posted 2008-11-21 17:03:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
0 Comments until now
Add your Comment!