Microsoft Snags Rights to Redbox Instant Launch

[MikeWehner]

Microsoft Snags Rights to Redbox Instant Launch

Xbox 360 owners will get another streaming option very soon.

Update: A Redbox representative reached out to clarify that the Xbox 360 will be the exclusive home console of Redbox Instant during the beta and launch phases of the service. The company doesn't appear ready to reveal further plans for the service, but for the time being, the Xbox 360 is the only console that has been confirmed for the streaming product.

Original Story: Sure, there are already plenty of ways to stream video content to your Xbox 360, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, and Microsoft's own video rental service. But despite this, the company figured it would add one more to the list: Verizon's Redbox Instant [https://www.redboxinstant.com]. The Xbox 360 will be the exclusive console home of Redbox Instant, keeping the likes of the PlayStation 3 and Wii U from getting a piece of the pie.

Neither company has revealed a date for when the service will appear on the console, but Major Nelson noted in a blog post [http://majornelson.com/2013/02/05/redbox-instant-coming-to-xbox-360-console-exclusive/] that it'll arrive "in the very near future." Redbox Instant is currently in a private beta testing phase and isn't available to the general public.

Redbox Instant operates on a subscription model, with two tiers available: Either $8 per month for unlimited streaming plus four DVD rental credits, or $9 for streaming plus four Blu-ray vouchers. Like the console's other streaming options, Redbox Instant will appear as an app that can be downloaded from within Xbox Live.

Source: Major Nelson [http://majornelson.com/2013/02/05/redbox-instant-coming-to-xbox-360-console-exclusive/]

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[Vie]

Am I the only person who saw "Redbox" and assumed that this would be porn?

 

[Lillowh]

Yo dawg, we heard you like subscription fee services, so we put more subscription fee services in your subscription fee service so you can pay to watch movies while you pay to watch movies.

 

[Scribblesense]

Xbox Live still won't be worth paying for.

 

[Waaghpowa]

And I assume that you will require Gold to use this service, like Netflix...

 

[thesilentman]

NOT WORTH PAYING GOLD FOR. You'd think people would learn, as it's pretty evident that MS is charging rates out of their ass at this point.

 

[fwiffo]

Its a shame. This could've competed with netflix instant streaming. Now it'll collect dust on the 360 .

 

[Kenjitsuka]

No Gold, and almost 99.99999999 percent sure this won't be available in Europe (NL), just like 99.999 percent of all streaming options!

No worries, because 100.000000 percent of streaming happens by way of PS3 Media Server in full HD or above.

 

[Antitonic]

Meanwhile, in Australia...

So, assuming this needs Gold, in the US it'll be $60 for a year's Gold and $108 for a year's worth of subscription. Whereas Gold here is $89, which works to $92.45ish, and we're still waiting for these "plenty of ways to stream video content". Sigh.

 

[RicoADF]

Meanwhile, in Australia...

So, assuming this needs Gold, in the US it'll be $60 for a year's Gold and $108 for a year's worth of subscription. Whereas Gold here is $89, which works to $92.45ish, and we're still waiting for these "plenty of ways to stream video content". Sigh.

Get A PS3, there's streaming on that, with no fees either

captcha: graveyard shift - Oi, the PS3 ain't dead yet captcha!

 

[Pyrian]

Redbox vending machines currently have a generally better selection than netflix streaming, which isn't saying much. Might be worth it if the selection is still good, but I have little reason to think it will be, since it'll have to be negotiated separately, and the studios seem to want (much!) higher margins for streaming for some reason.

 

[Atrocious Joystick]

No Gold, and almost 99.99999999 percent sure this won't be available in Europe (NL), just like 99.999 percent of all streaming options!

No worries, because 100.000000 percent of streaming happens by way of PS3 Media Server in full HD or above.

You sure brah? I get Netflix and some HBO stream thing is about to launch and I'm pretty sure I'm in Europe. Plus some local options. Well, one local option. And I'm pretty sure I am in Europe.

 

[JimmyMackey]

Exclusivity is good for Xbox, but not for Redbox Instant. Their price is low enough to be comparable to Netflix too which is good, but I wonder if people will feel that it is worth the expense in comparison. I know I want a lot from my DISH Blockbuster @Home service which hasn?t disappointed me yet. I prefer my DISH Blockbuster @Home because it has unlimited game rentals by mail though, so I don?t have to go to a kiosk, like with Redbox. Also, I can stream to my iPad when I?m on my break and working at my DISH office or on a trip for them. The unlimited streaming and rentals are less than Netflix and that saves me money, but I have hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, which is better than Redbox Instant.