Blockbuster Launches OnDemand Service Straight to Your TV

Blockbuster looking to compete with Netflix, has launched a new OnDemand service that brings content straight to your living room without having to go out and rent a movie or wait to receive one in the mail.

Beginning today, for a limited time, the MediaPoint digital media player is available free with the advance rental of 25 BLOCKBUSTER ONDEMAND movies for $99 at Blockbuster.com. Unlike subscription-based services, which typically offer movies years after their release, BLOCKBUSTER ONDEMAND includes hot new releases, many available within weeks of leaving theaters. After the initial 25 rentals, movies are available for as little as $1.99 each. The players will begin shipping in time for the holiday season.

"The MediaPoint digital player, featuring BLOCKBUSTER ONDEMAND, is entertainment made easy. We are bringing Blockbuster, and the thousands of movies in our digital library, straight to customers' televisions," said Jim Keyes, Blockbuster Chairman and CEO. "The player is simple to use, delivers DVD quality video, and there's no monthly subscription commitment. We are delighted to team with 2Wire to give consumers this great entertainment product."

The MediaPoint digital media player is extremely compact -- about the size of two boxes of movie candy -- and can be integrated seamlessly into home entertainment systems through composite cable, HDMI, component cable, or Toslink.

I'm sure more will come as customers being to try out the new service. Have you tried it out? Let us know what you think.