IN ASSOCIATION WITH

 About Us 

Blockbuster and MySpace up streaming ante
11-04-2008
by Emmet Ryan

Consumers eager for more streamed TV offerings have been given a boost with new offerings from Blockbuster and MySpace appearing in the pipeline.

Movie rental giant Blockbuster is reportedly developing a set-top device to stream films directly to TV sets while MySpace is looking at working with production companies to develop original content.

Blockbuster, which has yet to be confirm the development of the product but has given strong indications that such a device is in the works, would be going head-to-head with Apple TV on the streaming front with its offering. It is unclear as yet as to where the service would be available, however, with other firms like Netflix signalling their intent to also enter the fray the news appears to be positive for Irish consumers as this relatively new market is likely to be fought over an international battleground.

The widely-expected move from Blockbuster would be an offshoot of Movielink, an online film service Blockbuster acquired last year, that allows consumers to watch films licensed from the major studios on their PCs.

Meanwhile, not content with merely streaming existing films and TV series, MySpace is taking matters a step further by looking at developing its own material. The social network has signed a deal with a British-based production firm, ShineReveille International, to distribute MySpace's video content overseas.

This is part of the social network's bid to build original content rather than rely solely on material from the television and film industry. MySpace's move also suggests it's keen to see its web developed series do battle on these the TV and film inudstries' home turf.

That might be easier said than done though as the first notable attempt to translate an internet show for television, Quarterlife, flopped when it was shown on NBC in the US. The deal with Shine will adopt a different approach though as MySpace will tailor its offerings to suit local markets. Essentially this would allow the social network to become a test bed for TV series. While traditional television pilots often never see the air, the MySpace plan would see these shows get a chance to develop interest online before being called up to the big time.

All in all both MySpace's deal and Blockbuster's reported plans mean one major boost for consumers, an increase in the content available to them.