Is it Netflix or Blockbuster for You ?

Netflix and Blockbuster are by far the two biggest rental services in the movie rental business. Although there are several other outlets for your rental needs, most of them don't even come close to these two giants in the entertainment rental business. The question is "which one do you prefer". Both of them offer consistent, high quality service according to most customer reviews.

At this time, Netflix is the most well known on-line entertainment rental service. It was established in 1998 and has a larger customer rental base then it's biggest rival, Blockbuster with more then 13 million members. It is the world's largest subscription service in streaming movies and TV episodes over the Internet and sending DVDs by mail. Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited TV episodes, movies streamed to their TVs and computers and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes. Members can select from a growing library of titles that also be streamed to devices like the XBox 360, PS3 game consoles, Nintendo Wii, as well as Blu-ray disc players and TIVO digital video recorders.

Blockbuster is a bit older then it's biggest rival Netflix, having opened its doors in 1985. It has over 3,000 stores, but plans on closing a number of them due to their financial situation, but plans to open as many as 10,000 video rental kiosks by mid 2010. This American based company offers VHS, DVD, Blu-ray and video rental service. It has evolved to entertainment on-line on the worldwide web. Blockbuster was recently forced to began "Extended Viewing Fees" because customers were abusing their rental terms. This has had a somewhat negative effect on their business as their rival Netflix doesn't charge this fee at this time.

In comparing some of Blockbuster and Netflex features, Netflex has 8 monthly plans for unlimited rentals while Blockbuster has 4 plans, Netflix has the availability of over 65,000 TV shows and movies compared to Blockbuster's 60,000+ titles, Netflix has 41 shipping centers while Blockbuster has 30 distribution centers and several stores.

It's a matter of customer preference as to which of these two rental services is the best, I feel. Does one prefer the ability to have total access plans with the ability to mix web ordering with the real world of aisle browsing but are subject to late fees using the Blockbuster service? No late fees and enhanced customization features and an extensive catalog may attract those who prefer on-line only browsing and mailbox delivery offered by Netflix for their entertainment rentals.

Sources: Netflix.com
Blockbuster.com
reviews-cnet.com
personal experience