Movielink
It's a new, studio sanctioned, Internet-based movie rental service. It debuted today..
Interesting concept, good idea, but probably not the best execution. For one, I think $2.99 to $4.99 to rent a movie that you have to download yourself is a little steep.. After all, Blockbuster only charges $1.99 to $3.99 and provides the movie on a neat, consumer-ready disk. Sure, no late fees.. but what if you want to watch the movie again the next day? Netflix doesn't charge late fees either and it comes out relatively cheap per movie if you watch at least 5 or 6 a month.
Two, it's windows-based only. That will cut out many potential customers.. especially considering that the mac and unix users tend to be more on the bleeding edge of technology than windows users.. so that's a big loss right there.
I think it's a good idea.. just not the time for it yet. They would have to specialize, find their niche.. Maybe foreign and indie movies you can't get elsewhere.. If all they cary is typical, mainstream, Hollywood blockbusters they will not survive long.
Comments
I doubt that the Windows-only limit will hurt them much.
a) market researchers tend to have a good handle on who's gonna spend actual money.
b) tech-savvy users are more likely to steal content than non-tech-savvy users.
Posted by: Steve | November 12, 2002 12:48 AM
Don't see it in your linked article, but I believe I saw mention of a program (.exe) that would "make sure you deleted the files" (something like that..) With Hollywood itching to hack people's computers, I'd be just a little nervous about installing their software, and what it might be up to..bet it's an interesting EULA.
Posted by: Jeff Winkler | November 14, 2002 02:34 AM
It is a good idea, but doesn't satisfy a market need. Consumers can currently go out and download the same content on P2P networks or get it from a friend. MovieLink provides no real added advantages and has some disadvantages.
1. Content on MovieLink costs money, it is free on P2P.
2. You must re-download content on MovieLink, you don’t on P2P.
3. You must run Windows to view content on MovieLink, you don’t on P2P.
4. You have little freedom with content on MovieLink, you have more on P2P.
5. Movie resolution is less than that of a DVD; one of your friends most likely can get you a DVD-Rip for the same price.
I am not writing this to be pro or anti P2P networks or piracy. The simple fact is that they are out there and most people are comfortable with using them, especially those who like technology. Therefore MovieLink and other movie networks are going to have to compete with them and ultimately differentiate themselves in some way.
Posted by: Stephen Connor | July 22, 2003 12:24 AM