Blockbuster Trying To Woo Disgruntled Netflix Customers

jfruhlinger writes "'Netflix Customers, Say Hello to Blockbuster' is the subject line of an email making the rounds trying to convince customers to switch services in the wake of Netflix's contentious price hike. The bankrupt video store chain is now owned by DirectTV and has its own streaming service. How did Blockbuster even get these email addresses? Are its services really going to be cheaper and/or better than Netflix's in the long run? Is 'You'll hate us less than Netflix' really a viable business model?" Relatedly, reader assertation asks, "Can anyone suggest a streaming movie service that has a selection comparable to Netflix and will run on a computer using GNU/Linux?"

Comments

Linux support

[m2vq]

Can anyone suggest a streaming movie service that has a selection comparable to Netfix and will run on a computer using GNU/Linux?

No. There isn't one because Linux market share on desktop is so incredibly small that no one wants to put up with the cost of supporting those few users. Most normal people run either Windows, set-top box or some console like PS3. Even if someone were to make such service they would immediately get huge backslash for the need of DRM (demanded by copyright owners). Yes, continue to use Linux, I do too. But if you are not willing to come even a little bit forward (like, accepting DRM or closed binaries) don't cry about it when companies don't want to support it.

I'm not disgruntled

[Ukab the Great]

I'm too happy paying $16 for Netflix/Roku, as opposed to $50 for cable.

Re:$200 per device for the Windows license

[TheRaven64]

Why bother paying for an invalid license? If you're not going to get a license that actually legally entitles you to use the software as you intend, then you may as well pirate. It's equally legal and has the advantage of costing less. Paying $120 and still being liable for $750+ damages (plus legal fees) for wilful copyright infringement just seems a bit stupid.