redboxinstantRedbox Instant by Verizon went live today, allowing people to sign up for a private beta to use the streaming service.

Interested users can enter an email address to receive a code that will provide eventual access to Redbox Instant on the computer or on a mobile device, using the accompanying Redbox Instant iOS app, which was released today for the iPad and the iPhone.

Redbox's video streaming service is priced at $8 per month, which is on par with the pricing of both Netflix and Hulu Plus. It also comes bundled with four physical DVD rentals per month from Redbox kiosks, which can be upgraded to Blu-ray for an additional dollar.

Like Netflix, Redbox plans to offer a variety of movies from sources like Warner Bros. and the pay TV channel EPIX, though the service will not have any television shows at launch.

Traditionally, Redbox offers top Hollywood hits, with the top 200 movies from major studios stocked in its retail locations. Its content library will be smaller than what Netflix is able to offer, but it will focus on providing more recent releases.

Redbox is planning to send invites to the new streaming service over the coming weeks via email, and each invite will come with one free month of access.

Top Rated Comments

dugbug Avatar
134 months ago
The only way they'll successfully compete with Netflix is if they offer the same selection available at their kiosks. If they cripple their streaming catalogue, like Netflix does, and only offer old stuff, it'll see lukewarm success at best.

I don't think its netflix choosing cripple the catalogue, I think its just really hard for these companies to negotiate streaming rights for a buffet-style all you can watch service.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Caliber26 Avatar
134 months ago
The only way they'll successfully compete with Netflix is if they offer the same selection available at their kiosks. If they cripple their streaming catalogue, like Netflix does, and only offer old stuff, it'll see lukewarm success at best.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jpix55 Avatar
134 months ago
Signed up, downloaded the app, got a message saying my device is compromised and that the application will not initialize.

No RedBox streaming for jailbroken iDevices??
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
134 months ago
The only way they'll successfully compete with Netflix is if they offer the same selection available at their kiosks. If they cripple their streaming catalogue, like Netflix does, and only offer old stuff, it'll see lukewarm success at best.

Agreed! If the kiosk has 100-200 titles and the online service has, say, a quarter of that, we have a problem :)

(But I don’t think Netflix intentionally “cripples” what they’re able to offer online... they merely intentionally make it impossible to know BEFORE you sign up just how limited their streaming library is! If I do Netflix again, it will have to be discs. Just let me rent discs PER title, not flat subscription, and I’d love it.)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jayse Avatar
134 months ago
Personally, i don't like a Red Box...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
camerons1986 Avatar
134 months ago
There's a fix for that in cydia which hides that you're jailbroken but I don't recall the name of it


What you are thinking of is an app called Xcon in cydia
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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