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Amazon Talking with Netflix And Blockbuster

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the netzon-or-ambuster dept.

Mike from HackingNetflix.com writes "Reuters is reporting that 'Amazon.com has approached online DVD rental service companies, including Blockbuster and Netflix, to explore a partnership rather than launching its own U.S. DVD rental service.'" More from the article: "Despite its online might, shopping giant Amazon faces a potentially expensive battle to crack the competitive U.S. online rental market. The company started its own DVD rental service in Britain in December. Rumors that Amazon would enter the U.S. online DVD rental market sparked a price war late last year between Blockbuster and Netflix, which pioneered online DVD rental and now controls about 75 percent of the market." So there may be a happy ending to this tale for Netflix after all.

8 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Well, I'm certainly in. by Leontes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, I wouldn't mind a piece of the pie as well. Netflix, let me jump on the back of your obviously well designed and considerably successful business. Will you just send me a check, or should I do anything else?

    1. Re:Well, I'm certainly in. by GodBlessTexas · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's not that simple. What Amazon brings to the table is exposure. Amazon is without a doubt the world's largest on-line retailer with the most exposure, and that's something that Netflix can capitalize on. Most retailers or sales oriented companies would give up body parts to partner with Amazon, and that includes some very high profile companies like my previous employer who was the market leader in luxury retail.

      --
      Remember the Alamo, and God Bless Texas...
  2. What is it with? by l4m3z0r · · Score: 5, Insightful
    What is it with the attitude that _____ is dying. For instance in this case omg netflix was dying but its a good thing amazon jumped in to save them. Thats not whats happening here, netflix was never dying and they did not need amazon to resuce them.

    Apple is dying, Tivo is dying, BSD is dying, netflix is dying etc etc etc... /me is tired of hearing this kind of nonsense.

  3. I wonder by Nothing+Special · · Score: 5, Interesting

    what is the viability of startubg a DVD mail service right now? Are they trying to build a client base for the inevitble switch to streaming, which granted is still a few years off, or just trying to get in and steal a bit of market share while they can. hmm. it reminds me of back in 2001, when i worked for an internet kiosk company. we all knew that wireless tech was hitting the market and that it basically spelled doom for the company, but the higher ups hoped to make as much as they could and (hopefully) sell the company off to a major player before wireless came to fruition...the company was gone within 2 years.

  4. Competitive Market by ChibiLZ · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I really don't think the market could hold another major competitor, so partnering with Blockbuster or Netflix would be a smart move... Although I heard rumors that Hollywood Video might also be looking at starting an online movie rental business. That might be an ideal partner for Amazon, as both are fresh in the business.

    Also, for a shameless plug, if there are any Netflix users out there, and you think dealing with your queue is a pain, try my new software (Windows), called FlixQueue.
    http://www.5hyphen.com/FlixQueue/index.htm

    --
    Don't buy WoW Gold! Make it yourself!
  5. I expect a little "buy now" button on Netfix.... by aengblom · · Score: 5, Insightful

    within six months. It sort of blows me away that it's not already there. Netflix knows the movies I like much better than Amazon. It knows what I've seen, what I've rented twice. If I wanted to browse some movies to buy I'd go to Netflix and search around, before heading over to Amazon to actually place my order.

    I'll bet they'd like a cut of those revenues too.

    --


    So close and yet so far from the world's perfect ID number
  6. Re:Don't forget about Wal-Mart by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Not likely. Online video rentals are really about quality vs quantity and that is not Wal-marts forte. Netflix has a large selection of movies but may not always have enough of the most popular ones. Walmart would always have enough copies of popular dvds but would have a limited catalog otherwise. Besides if they were going to break into video rental they would have done it as brick and mortar first.

  7. Stand firm, Amazon! by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm a Netflix fan, but think Amazon should go it alone for no other reason than I love a price war. :)