New Blockbuster Service Won't Be Netflix Killer

Dish Network disappointed consumers by announcing a Blockbuster add-on plan to its current satellite service, and not a standalone Netflix killer.

Consumers looking for a Netflix replacement won't find a solution in Blockbuster's new Movie Pass service unless they're willing to sign up with DISH Network... at least, for right now.

DISH Network CEO Joe Clayton kicked off a rather short press event revealing that consumers won't see a stand-alone video streaming service from Blockbuster anytime soon. Instead, the just-announced Blockbuster Movie Pass will be integrated into DISH Network's subscription-based service as a video streaming and disc-based addition -- including games -- to the satellite TV provider's already-established lineup.

Starting October 1, Blockbuster Movie Pass will offer over 100K titles and TV shows by mail, whether it's DVD or Blu-ray. This package will also include 3,000 movies that will be piped to the DISH Network boxes and 4,000 movies that can be streamed to a PC. Gamers will also have access to over 3,000 titles by mail or via a local Blockbuster brick-and-mortar shop. Subscribers will also be treated to unlimited in-store exchanges and more than 20 premium movie channels. There was no mention of streaming content to mobile devices.

On the streaming side, content will be provided via DISH Network by the Food Network, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, FOX, Discovery, AMC, the DIY Network, the History Channel and HGTV. The Blockbuster Movie Pass will offer streaming content from Starz, Epix, the Sony Movie Channel, Movieplex, the Sundance Channel, Pixl, HDNet, Encore, Hallmark, and MGM.

According to the DISH Network, this bundle is the ultimate entertainment offer, better than Comcast, DirecTV and even Netflix. Even more, Blockbuster Movie Pass will only cost an additional $10 per month with any DISH Network subscription. For newcomers, the company will offer Blockbuster Movie Pass free for one year after subscribing to the America's Top 200 programming package or greater starting at $39.99 per month (but only for a new 24-month commitment established between October 1 to January 31, 2012).

"Blockbuster Movie Pass is also included for three months for new DISH Network customers who subscribe to America’s Top 120 programming package," the company said in a news release sent out after the press event. "After the promotional period, Blockbuster Movie Pass starts at just $10 per month. Access to the subscription streaming movie service requires a DISH Network HD DVR."

One company, one bill, one connection, the company touts. Unfortunately, this new package will likely not pull customers away from Netflix, especially those who'd rather not switch to a satellite dish-based video feed, but rely on the tried-and-true cable connection that's typically tied into their broadband Internet connection.

Still, The company compared its new package to Comcast, as seen below, saying that there's only 32,600 movies and TVs shows on the land-based subscription package whereas DISH will offer more than 130K movies and TV shows. Time Warner Cable wasn't even thrown into the comparison.

After the conference, the press asked about a stand-alone version of Blockbuster Movie Pass, or rather, will there be one. "The ideal product is the integrated product," was the response they received. "In the future, there may be announcements for a Blockbuster subscription program for non-Dish users.”

UPDATE -- DISH Network sent over a short PR describing the Blockbuster app on Facebook:

McKinney, Texas – Sept. 23, 2011 – Blockbuster L.L.C. will soon launch an app that gives people the ability to rent and watch movies through Facebook Platform. The Blockbuster app on Facebook is designed to provide Blockbuster customers new forms of discovery and engagement around the Blockbuster digital catalog. The announcement was made at the f8 Developer Conference in San Francisco.

When renting movies from Blockbuster’s expansive library, people can navigate the Blockbuster experience within Facebook, which will include discovery, search and video playback through an embedded player.

The Blockbuster app is focused on transactional digital rentals, which include the newest releases as well as older favorites. Additionally, Blockbuster has integrated with Facebook to create a frictionless account creation process.

The Blockbuster app on Facebook will be coming soon.

UPDATE 2 -- The games Blockbuster Movie Pass will offer covers the original Xbox, the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 2, the PlayStation 3, and the Nintendo Wii consoles.