Blockbuster, DirecTV Begin Pay-Per-View
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 6/11/2001
EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. — DirecTV and Blockbuster this month began offering their co-branded pay-per-view service, "Blockbuster Ticket only on DirecTV."
The new joint service offering over the DirecTV DBS platform is the next leg in the cooperative campaign established last year with the announcement that Blockbuster would sell DirecTV equipment and service through its 4,100 video rental stores.
The co-branded service will continue to offer popular DirecTV PPV benefits, such as movies for $3.99; a new movie premiere each week; start times on the half hour for hit movies; and "All Day Ticket" offers on popular films.
The newly named "Blockbuster Ticket" will offer up to 44 movie choices per day. DirecTV will continue to offer its Direct Ticket pay-per-view services for special events.
Blockbuster is expected to bring customers special offers, including double features and access to movies acquired by Blockbuster through its DEJ Productions acquisition and distribution subsidiary.
Nick Shepherd, Blockbuster senior VP, said the two companies have set a goal of doubling DirecTV's movie buy-rates over the next two years.
"As a result of our outstanding success with the sale of DirecTV system equipment in our stores, we see this rebranding effort as an obvious next step in our relationship with DirecTV," Shepherd said.
