Several years ago movies were available on the internet via peer-to-peer file sharing sites. Of course, issues of piracy and the risk of exposure to viruses prevented the average consumer from considering movie downloads a viable option however. More legitimate movie downloads came along a bit later in the form of Movielink and CinemaNow, but the selection was limited, download technology was a bit slow, and the equipment in the homes of most consumers made watching the films undesirable. For these reasons, movie downloads for the most part remained the domain of early adopters rather than the mainstream public.
Online movie rental services such as Netflix and Blockbuster have been more prominent forces in the home entertainment industry due to their much larger selection of movies. The primary drawback for such movie rental services was the delay between choosing the movie and receiving it in the mail a day or two later for viewing. However, the distinction between movie downloads, with their immediate gratification and convenience, and the world of online movie rentals, with their vast libraries of movie and television show titles, became blurred in 2007; benefiting the movie watching public.
Due to upgrades in how online movie rental services deliver their product, movie downloads appear to be going mainstream. In January 2007, online movie rental pioneer, Netflix announced they would begin offering customers the option of streaming movies to their PC although the availability of titles would be phased in over time. Within six months, Netflix announced that 5 million movies had been viewed using this download feature. The number of movies available to customers for downloading continued to increase and only six weeks later the number of movies viewed online had doubled to 10 million. Clearly, the popularity of downloading was catching hold within the average household.
In August 2007, Blockbuster the other major name in video rental, both online and off, announced that they had purchased Movielink. A joint venture between five major Hollywood movie studios, Movielink offered titles for rental or purchase and had provided early adopters movies for download to PC and portable devices. With the recent acquisition of Movielink, it is anticipated that movie downloads are soon to be an option with Blockbuster as well.
Certainly the events of 2007 appear to be headed toward a future of movie downloads becoming the preferred method of obtaining movies. If the escalating growth in the popularity of movie downloads evident at Netflix continues it would appear that local video stores will continue to lose market share. Similarly it would seem that mail delivery of rentals will begin to abate as well as downloading goes mainstream.
Related Articles
Movies at Home: Getting More for Less
By: Christine Peppler | 20/03/2007 | Movies
Although watching movies at a theater provides an unmatched experience, far more movies are enjoyed at home. This article reviews the costs associated with the various services that provide home movie entertainment for fans on a budget.
Life is Tough, Getting Movies Should be Easy
By: Christine Peppler | 20/03/2007 | Movies
Most of the movies we view, we view at home. While most of us spend far too much time at work and on the road, our time at home is at a premium. Spending time running around to get a movie to enjoy is how most of us would prefer to use that extra 30 to 40 minutes per day. There are more convenient options to get great home entertainment, and this article will introduce you to them.
Approach to Opt for the Unsurpassed Movie Downloads Site
By: Isaiah G. Henry | 02/06/2008 | Movies
As we already explained, piracy is wide-spread on the Net but this does not make it less of a crime.
Downloading Movies: the Current State of Affairs
By: Christine Peppler | 31/12/2006 | Art and Entertainment
In the past year or two downloading movies has become a more viable option for home entertainment. With the issue of legality nailed down, pricing that is comparable to other forums, and ease and convenience improved, it's time for a wider audience to give downloading a try.
Online Movie Rental: Finding the Movies you Never Even Knew you Wanted
By: Christine Peppler | 15/01/2007 | Art and Entertainment
The lives of movie fans were changed forever in 1999 when Netflix introduced the first online movie rental service. With a huge selection of films for every taste and guidance in discovering new favorite films, the risk and frustration of finding great movies has faded into the past.
Best Movie Download Services
By: Kelly Liyakasa | 03/10/2007 | Movies
Movie downloads are the perfect way to pass time while entertaining yourself in the process! See which services host the best selection of movies, as well as great pricing and movie file quality!
Find the Latest Movies on the Internet
By: Isaiah G. Henry | 03/04/2008 | Movies
With more people having computers at home and a fast speed internet it is hardly a surprise to know that you can download latest movies online and watch them at your convenience and comfort. Today people who love movies, both young and old alike are moving away from the old clich� of visiting video stores to get their hands on latest movies. Downloading latest movies online also saves money and time.
The Future of Online Movie Rental
By: Christine Peppler | 16/01/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Online movie rental services have provided much greater convenience and selection than what a local video store can offer. Perhaps the only drawback to such services is the delay between returning movies and receiving the next ones in the queue. However, the wait is over for consumers. Netflix has announced that they will begin phasing in electronic delivery through the first half of 2007.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What's Your Favorite Sports Movie
By: gc4321 | 08-11-2007
Whats your favorite sports movie? My top choices would be Bull Durham, Chariots of Fire and Field of Dreams.What would get your vote?
Favorite tv show?
By: maracruz | 06-11-2007
what was your favorite tv shows that you will never forget? me bleach, justice league and naruto.
Kannadatube/Kannada movies
By: kannadapremi | 31-10-2007
Where can I view/watch Online Kannada movies ?
Who will be the villains in IRON MAN?
By: maracruz | 27-10-2007
hi.. am just curious , who will be the villains in the upcoming movie IRON MAN?
From what movie are these lines? "years from noe ...
By: heyartie | 25-10-2007
from what movie are these lines?"years from now when you speak of this, and you will, be "gentle"
Old horror movie title?
By: Richbarnett | 25-10-2007
40 years ago I watched my first horror movie, and old black & white. The only things I can remember are a huge old haunted house with someone (maybe a mummy) playing the pipe organ and a get together or party being held on a near-by island. I think the main character had to take a small boat to the haunted house. Any idea of a title?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Movies Articles
Thread of Hope From Smita Thackeray
By: Vikram Singh Chadha | 20/08/2008
The true significance of Raksha bandhan lies in protecting little girls. And Smita Thackeray's Mukti Foundation did just that on rakhi.Music makers Bappi Lahiri and Sweta Pandit gathered to celebrate rakhi with the girls of the home
Event Management Company in India
By: manstone | 20/08/2008
Event Management is about organizing and coordinating an event or events that have a set of targeted audiences and needs a bit of a push to lure in more interest to the common public. The Event that you will be coordinating or managing will require some amount of research and study as it will help you in identifying certain important factors such as your target audience, the budget, the technical aspects and your modus of operandi for the entire set up.
Voltron is Back on Track!
By: vanko007a | 20/08/2008
One of my favourite cartoons as a child is going to get updated into a film. Yeah, we heard it before and the Voltron movie posibilities just didn’t seem to be happening. But word is now that movies like Transformers are proving to be a big hit, they are looking at other franchises that just didn’t seem realistic to make movies out of.
Humor: Best Simpson's Remark
By: nicaine | 18/08/2008
Humor is one of the best known remarks of The Simpsons.The Simpson's is an American animated comedy sitcom by FOX production major characterized by the Simpson Family.A typical family who live in Springfield living in an American culture , fictional characters have bulky eyes and wide mouths and yellow color bodies with different hair colors. Each of the family members have different but interesting characters that provide laughter and amusement to viewers.
Eddie Izzard Tickets—from Comedy to Film Career
By: Andrew Good | 18/08/2008
Eddie Izzard fans, get your tickets to see this performer live in a city near you.
Send Photos to India
By: Chowdary Potluri | 18/08/2008
16Frames is the only online provider meeting your Online Photo Printing and Online Photo Sharing needs and physically delivering them to anyone in India.
Titanic Movie Song
By: Boris Tomson | 18/08/2008
I watched Titanic Movie Song a few days back and fond myself crying again. I had cried and bereaved the huge loss of human lives when I watched that movie last time.
Titanic Movie Music
By: Boris Tomson | 18/08/2008
I watched Titanic Movie Music a few days back and fond myself crying again. I had cried and bereaved the huge loss of human lives when I watched that movie last time.
Art and Entertainment 
