Blockbuser, Samsung tie-up to deliver movies to HDTVs, DVD players

Blockbuster Inc, the largest movie-rental chain has tied-up with Samsung Electronics America Inc to deliver films to high-definition TVs, home theatre systems and Blu-ray disc players.

The deal is similar to the deal with video recorder maker TiVo Inc signed in March this year, to bring its movie-download service straight to the television set (See: Movie rental company Blockbuster ties up with TiVo)

Blockbuster Inc will also sell Samsung products at its stores and through its web site according to the statement released by the two companies. The companies said the video-on-demand service for Samsung is slated to start later in the year but the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The deal is a coup of sorts for Blockbuster as Samsung is the world's largest manufacturer of flat-screen TVs. The on-demand rental service from Blockbuster would also available through software installed on Samsung's Blu-ray DVD players and home theatre systems, devices that offer internet streaming service from Netflix.

With the deal Dallas-based Blockbuster is now on more devices in competition with Netflix Inc, the largest by-mail US movie business with both seeking ways to reach consumers looking for online entertainment. Netflix started with showing films from last year through TiVo which is an Alviso, California-based DVR pioneer. The company also streams video through Samsung Bluray players and home theater systems besides other channels.

Blockbuster's senior vice president of digital entertainment, Kevin Lewis said there may be 10-15 such partnerships which the company would announce within the next year.