Blockbuster On Demand Available

This week updates to Tivo boxes should include the ability to watch Blockbuster on

Tivo message announcing Blockbuster On Demand

Demand movies. Basically, this service is a lot like the Amazon Unbox service. You can search for movies on the service, then you can “rent” the movie.

The good news is that the service includes new releases that you can find in the Blockbuster stores, the bad news is that you’ll have to pay $3.99 for your movie.

Netflix’s streaming service to your Tivo box is still a better option, in my opinion. Although you don’t get movies that are less than say, 6 months old, you do get to choose from about 10,000 movies and t.v. shows. Blockbuster has about 1,500 rentals available as of this writing.

Searching for a movie using Blockbuster's new service

I’m sure they’ll add more in the coming weeks, but it’s hard to get past the fact that for less than $10 a month, Netflix lets you watch all of its streaming content with no extra charges. If you have a Netflix membership, you can stream content directly to your box.

Blockbuster already offers a movie “pass” in their stores – you pay a monthly fee, and can watch one DVD at a time, switching it out as you see fit. If they extend this to their On Demand service, it will be a hit.

Blockbuster’s new On Demand service is welcome to Tivo boxes. It adds overall value, and helps to combat the complaint from some cable box users that on demand content is not available. However, paying for each movie and the lack of viewing choices will limit it’s initial appeal.