Many 20 - 30 year olds spent their childhood begging their parents to take the to Blockbuster or another local movie rental place. This is apparently something youngsters and adults no longer look forward to. Blockbuster is feeling the effect of the growing trend of online streaming of movies, tv shows, and various other media sources. Here is an article of just how extreme this trend has become. What is your viewing preference? Do you subscribe to an online broadcaster such as Netflix? How do you think this is affecting society?
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dish-network-close-blockbuster-stores-193325822.html
Here is an opinion of why Blockbuster is a dying company.
http://news.yahoo.com/netflix-genres-documentaries-standup-comedy-190658208.html
What do you think?
I really like to use Netflix and other instant streaming video services. Despite the fact that I had a large collection of DVDs, I still use Netflix; Amazon Instant; and Hulu Plus. It is really convenient to watch an entire season of a TV show and not have to get up to change the disc. The added factor comes from TVs that are now WIFI capable that can access these services directly without the use of external equipment like a computer, DVD player, or video game console.
ReplyDeleteI think the instant streaming is affecting society by giving consumers another outlet for them to view media, but I think at the same time it is hurting the sales market. Society has become more accustomed to getting a streaming service for roughly $8 a month, which is almost the same price of a new Blu-ray movie and along with that they get access to thousands of pieces of content. This is also true with major networks like ABC, CBS, HBO, Showtime, and CW starting their own on demand services where viewers can watch that stations programing for free with limited commercials.
Personally I thought that Blockbuster had fully died out well before yesterday. I wasn't even aware there were still Blockbuster stores in the country. I went back to the town I grew up in in Kansas this summer and the old Blockbuster building was still up, but has still yet to be rented out by anyone. It was like finding a relic of my childhood abandoned, like the old GI-Joe toy that had been twisted too many times at the waist and the rubber band snapped. I think nothing could have really saved Blockbuster from the inevitable. Had they partnered with Netflix they would have lost all of their identity, but with their partnership with Dish Network to start their own DVD by mail and streaming service to Dish Network customers wasn't enough. The market base was too small, and at that point Netflix had too much of a piece of the pie.
Your last paragraph describes how many people feel about their beloved Blockbuster days but the $10-ish pricetag associated with Netflix and other online streaming makes it very hard to compete!
DeleteMy viewing preference is typically online using Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon. Its just hard to catch a show on cable and then you have to wait for all the over played commercials. Even though cable and television networks you don't have to use internet has its advantages, but then you need to have patience and time. I do subscribe to an online broadcaster like i had mentioned above; I use Amazon instant video, Hulu, and Netflix. I think this is affecting society because its pushing the use of technology even further, not only can you use your computer but you can download apps for those providers on your phone, tablet, or any other device you use. I think Blockbuster is a failing company because they're just older than any other companies out there for the video world. Also the fact that consumers want what they want right away. I think its a patience and convenience thing. If they would have allowed netflix into their company, they might have a fighting chance. but like i mentioned consumers want everything when they want it. We've gotten spoiled with the use of internet and technology. But yet not everywhere has Blockbuster only popular areas have it, and netflix and hulu and amazon are internet provided so anyone can have access to it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the patience and convenience factor you mentioned. Our society like things instant and high speed. We get frustrated if it takes more than 3 seconds for a webpage to load! :)
DeleteI think that netflix, Hulu, or amazon tv players are all really good sites to keep updated with your favorite TV shows or movies. A lot of people are now using only online tv players instead of satellite TV. This has its benefits and downfalls. I personally have both. But the thing I watch most is Netflix, once I get started on a tv show it is hard to stop, then you can look forward to watching it whenever you want. Also when you are feeling like watching a movie you dont have to search through your movies you can look through Netflix and go to the type of category you are feeling that day. Hulu is also great because you can watch tv shows that are currently on tv instead of waiting for netflix to start playing it. I think that society is sooner or later all start to use one of these broadcasters. This could be bad because you can almost watch whatever you want whenever you want, which means you can be the ultimate couch potato. For our future kids this could be potentially bad if parents just stick them in front of the tv and say watch whatever you want.
ReplyDeleteThe addictive-ness of online streaming is definitely an issue! Like you said, "once you start on a tv show it is hard to stop"! It makes watching a show on regular tv almost painful because you have to wait until next week for the new episode!
Deletei would rather stay in the comfort of my home and look up a movie online instead of going through the process of getting in the car and going to get a movie from block buster. i do subscribe to an online broadcaster, i have a netflix account. i think the internet is taking over a lot of things that are now old school or things that have been manuel labor the past. there are a lot of things that you can do on the computer or online that needed a middle man to service you now there is no middle man which is also cutting a lot of jobs for people.
ReplyDeletei think that netflix is winning because there are so many shows and movies that you can watch and you don't have to go anywhere. there are tv series that you cant watch and there is only one payment a month. you do not have to keep going back and forth to the movie store pick up a movie then pay, netflix made it all so simple.
I like how you referred to going to the movie store as "manual labor" :) #firstworldproblems. I know that you meant it in a broader aspect including many other tasks as well and I definitely see your point. We definitely rely on technology for many tasks we used to perform manually in the past!
DeleteI prefer the going to the theaters from time to time because it is an experience to have with your family. I do not subscribe to a online broadcaster however I do watch Netflix but I tend to go on to Hulu every now and then. Blockbuster is a dying company because just like the cassette tapes, DVDs are slowly being replace by digital audio books and online streaming. Its no surprise that Blockbuster was going to out of business because of this trend with technology the fact that its growing meaning I dont see many people with a eight track player anymore. The technology that comes out today is suppose to make our lives easier and the fact that we don't have to leave our homes to go get a movie to have movie night with friends and family. I feel bad for the kids of the future because they live in a digital world and they really dont know what its like to go play outside.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy going to the movies too to watch new movies, however every time i go its like it gets more and more expensive. Every time me and my boyfriend go we usually spend 40 bucks. 20 for the tickets and 20 for candy,popcorn and a drink.
DeleteI remember growing up at age around 10 wanting to go to blockbuster. Still I believe that stuff everything evolves and that is what has happen with this. I think people would much rather stay home, were there comfortable then have to go out and buy a movie , it just makes more sense. It has a major affect on society as people are staying home more because , with technology the can do almost anything from there computer or any other digital device.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I first moved to Williston I was going to the movie store to rent movies, then I realized red box is a lot cheaper. Then my sister told me about a website online to stream stuff for free. And there are many websites like that. They can easily put viruses on your computer or tablet. However many of them are safe. Technology has made it very easy to view anything online. I love how much technology has improved. Then again I can see how it can take away from the importance of somethings.
ReplyDeleteBecause I was one of those kids who would spend a lot of hours after school at our local movie store called Wolves Den, I would definitely say I will always prefer renting movies instead of streaming online through Netflix or some other website. I have a lot of memories going down town to pick out movies, and I hope someday my kids will be able to enjoy that too! Technology has changed literally everything we know about watching movies and even TV shows. We no longer have to wait for our favorite TV show to come on TV, we can watch it online or even DVR it. I think making TV shows and movies more convenient for the viewers is just making them lazy. We rarely leave our houses to do anything anymore, and we are incapable of waiting a week to watch the next episode of Bones.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on how lazy society has became at the advances of technology. And I still enjoy going to the movie store every now and then but its usually for a specific movie thats been out for awhile.
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