Samsung Inks Deal with Blockbuster for OnDemand Video

Samsung HDTVs, home theater systems, and Blu-ray players will be able to tap into Blockbuster's OnDemand video services via the Internet later this year.

Video rental firm Blockbuster might have been late to get into mail-order rentals and online streaming, but the company is certainly trying to give rival Netflix a run for its money: Blockbuster and Samsung have announced that new Samsung HDTVs, home theater systems, and Blu-ray players will be able to access Blockbuster’s OnDemand video library via the Internet. Products supporting the service will launch in the fall of 2009 (we’re assuming northern hemisphere, here). Owners of selected Samsung Seris 650 LCD and plasma TVs as well as Series 7000 LCD HDTVs and above will be able to get the service via a firmware upgrade; some existing Blu-ray player and home theater systems will also be upgradable.

“This agreement underscores the growing opportunities around digital delivery and the plan to make the Blockbuster brand as available on screens as it has always been on storefronts,” said Blockbuster chairman and CEO Jim Keyes, in a statement.

Under the deal, Blockbuster will get “preferred positioning” on Samsung’s Blu-ray interfaces, enabling the retailer to slickly tie into its existing mail-order and retail storefront rental operations. Blockbuster will also feature Samsung Blu-ray players for sale at its retail locations and via the Blockbuster.com Web site.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The deal is a feather in the cap for Blockbuster, which has been struggling to compete with Netflix (which offers a streaming service integrated into several devices) and other online video offerings. Samsung is the world’s largest manufacturer of large-screen TVs, although low-cost maker Vizio is currently the top dog for LCD TV sales in the United States.