Netflixation

posted 11.22.2010

Today, Blockbuster began its run of advertising that touts its 28-day rental head start that it has over rivals like Netflix and RedBox. Given its strong relationships to movie studios, Blockbuster has the advantage that it can rent some movie titles (like those from Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox) on the same day/date that DVDs and Blu-ray Disc are released to market for purchase. These studios restrict outlets such as Netflix and RedBox from renting their new release titles until some 28 days later, in order to maximize the sell-through to consumers as "available to own". Some studios do not have such restrictions, allowing Netflix and Redbox to rent out these titles from the date of release. These studios include Paramount, Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  Will this head start be enough for Blockbuster to get back on its financial feet, after declaring bankruptcy earlier this year?