Samsung, Blockbuster Ink Digital Content Deal
By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 7/14/2009
Ridgefield Park, N.J. - Samsung Electronics America has signed a deal with Blockbuster that will provide digital entertainment downloads for selected new HDTVs, home-theater systems and Blu-ray players.
In a statement, the companies said the new services will be available this fall and will give Samsung customers access to Blockbuster's digital movie library. Additionally, as part of the agreement, Blockbuster OnDemand will have preferred positioning on the Blu-ray interfaces.
The Blockbuster OnDemand service provides comprehensive onscreen search and browsing capabilities, as well as full details, ratings, trailers and other information about each movie directly on the television, eliminating the need for customers to manage a viewing queue on their PC, the company said. Once a customer rents or buys a movie, they simply press "play" to begin instant viewing. Blockbuster's adaptive streaming technology ensures quality viewing with immediate and uninterrupted playback, the statement noted.
"The Blu-ray players Blockbuster will feature represent the perfect bridge between physical stores and digital delivery by providing streaming digital access to the newest hit movies and high-definition Blu-ray product, which is available in our stores and through Blockbuster By Mail," said Jim Keyes, Blockbuster chairman/CEO. "We look forward to working with Samsung to showcase their select products in Blockbuster stores while making Blockbuster's digital library available in homes across America."
"Samsung constantly seeks ways to provide greater value to consumers through innovation and connectivity," said Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America. "Our strategic alliance with Blockbuster means that we will provide consumers another significant avenue to access rich content and a great viewing experience."
The alliance also includes the sale of Samsung Blu-ray players with the integrated Blockbuster OnDemand service at Blockbuster's thousands of participating corporate-owned stores and franchise stores and online at blockbuster.com, in addition to Samsung's existing retail channels.
The companies expect to have the Blockbuster OnDemand service integrated into new Samsung Blu-ray Disc players and HDTVs by the fall. Consumers who already own select 2009 Samsung Blu-ray players and home-theater systems, as well as Samsung LCD and plasma HDTVs series 650 and above, and Samsung LED HDTVs series 7000 and above, can access the Blockbuster OnDemand offering at no additional charge by conducting a firmware upgrade (Blu-ray players and home-theater systems) or downloading the Blockbuster OnDemand widget (HDTVs).
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