Blockbuster offers special deal to unhappy Netflix customers

McKinney, TX, United States (AHN) – Blockbuster announced on Thursday its intention to capture the hordes of furious Netflix customers upset over the recent and abrupt rate plan increases. The former video rental giant is launching a limited time, nationwide promotion for all Netflix customers who switch to Blockbuster Total Access.

According to Blockbuster, their new program provides benefits Netflix doesn’t offer: availability of many new releases 28 days before Netflix; unlimited in-store exchanges; games for XBOX 360®, Playstation3, and Nintendo Wii, and no additional charge for Blu-ray movies.

Netflix customers who switch to one of Blockbuster’s two most popular Total Access plans will receive a 30-day free trial. After the free trial, customers will continue to receive Total Access for a new everyday price of only $9.99 per month for “1 Disc” at a time or $14.99 per month for “2 Discs” at a time.

Netflix earlier this week caused a social media maelstrom and upset a large portion of its 23 million U.S. subscribers by raising its prices by as much as 60 percent for those who want to rent DVDs by mail and watch video on the Internet.

“Blockbuster quickly responded to the cries of Netflix customers,” said Michael Kelly, president of Blockbuster. “Blockbuster Total Access is Netflix ‘without the wait.’ The combination of DVDs by mail and unlimited in-store exchanges provides more than 100 million people living near Blockbuster stores immediate convenience and unparalleled choice.”

Netflix is splitting their two most popular options so that subscribers who wish to have both will be forced to purchase separate plans totaling at least $16 per month. Netflix Inc. had been bundling both options in a single package, available for as low as $10 per month.

“We find it shocking that anyone would raise rates as high as 60 percent,” Kelly went on to say. “In contrast, Blockbuster has worked hard over the past few months to deliver value in entertainment to consumers in this economy and has even reduced in-store movie rentals to as low as 49 cents.”

Blockbuster’s special offer for Netflix customers is available through Sept. 15, 2011.

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