As an avid Netflix user (and I mean AVID), I was drooling at the thought of Redbox Instant Streaming. I envisioned a plethora of movies (that I have never seen before) and thoroughly planned on being a Redbox subscriber before I even got a chance at the trial run. I was hoping that when I got tired of Netflix…Redbox Streaming would fill in the gaps. However, when I got a crack at the new movie streaming service, I could barely find a single ‘new’ movie that I haven’t seen yet, or that wasn’t offered on Netflix.
If you are going to come out with instant movie streaming to rival the leading option, then you’re going to have to offer something a little better than 4 free DVD rentals at a Redbox kiosk. I’m already going to the kiosks on a regular basis, and I want to stay home more often. If my assessment of a service still in beta testing is a bit harsh, maybe it’s because of all the hype surrounding it. There was an extreme amount of fanfare, emails, and whispers that Redbox Instant Streaming is the next Netflix-killer, and I am sorely disappointed.
Before I was chosen to test out the service, I fed into the buzz…and I spread the buzz. Everyone in my household was anticipating what Redbox had to offer, and now I’m actually embarrassed to have gotten so excited. I feel like I just opened up a beautifully wrapped Christmas present and found a pair of socks…that I already own.
The Lowdown on Redbox Instant by Verizon
For $8 per month, a Redbox Instant by Verizon subscription offers unlimited streaming and 4 DVD credits per month (1 DVD credit = 1 night rental) that you can use at over 40,000 Redbox locations across the United States. They also offer a movie streaming only option for $6, but if the streaming selections are weak, what is the point?
You don’t have to be a Verizon customer to sign up for the service, but high-speed Internet access is obviously needed. They say that you can stream movies to any internet-connected device, including smartphones (iPhone and Android), tablets, computers and Samsung Smart TVs and Blu-ray Players, but there are some reported issues with the Nexus 10. The Redbox Instant by Verizon app is limited to certain devices, but you don’t need it to stream content.
In conclusion, I truly believe Redbox Instant by Verizon is meant for people who have never seen Netflix before. It simply can’t compare as is. They don’t even offer TV shows…so what selling point is supposed to sway customers away from Netflix to Redbox Streaming? Maybe Redbox needs to stick with the kiosks, and leave the streaming content to Netflix. Just my opinion.
Have you tried Redbox Instant Steaming?
What do you think?
Disclosure: As a BzzAgent, I received a free 1-month trial of Redbox Instant by Verizon so that I could give my honest opinion about the service.
