Samsung and Blockbuster today announced they will work together to bring streaming Blockbuster content to a new line of HDTVs from Samsung.
Blockbuster has struggled to compete with Netflix and other similar streaming services, but hopes this move will help it better compete against its competitors.
The latest Samsung HDTVs will have one-click access to Blockbuster movie rentals. Interested consumers will have to pay $1.99 to $3.99 per movie for 24-hour access to watch it an unlimited amount of times.
"It's one thing to be on PC," Blockbuster VP of digital entertainment Kevin Lewis told the L.A. Times. "It's another to have a Blockbuster digital movie service in millions of homes throughout America. That, to me, signifies that this is no longer a niche. This is no longer a hobbyist thing."
Streaming Blockbuster content will also be supported for Samsung DVD players that currently offer streaming Netflix support -- an interesting move that will give Samsung owners another option while looking for content to watch in the living room.
It's a great move for Blockbuster, as Samsung remains the No. 1 global maker of flat panel TVs, and sells a high number of units in North America and obviously across the rest of the world.
Both companies expect the service to launch this fall.
Consumers obviously are the ones who win as video service providers and TV manufacturers continue to reach agreements to bring streaming content into the living room. It's now possible to watch content via video game consoles, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and directly from net connected TV's.
