End of Verizon Redbox

Less than 2 years since the launch of Verizon Redbox, the video streaming joint venture between the telco and Redbox, the companies announced the service was shut down on Tues. “The service is shutting down because it was not as successful as we hoped it would be. We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for giving us the opportunity to entertain you,” the service’s Webpage said. The Netflix -like offering provides access to a streaming library and offers credits for DVD/Blu-ray discs available at Redbox Kiosks. Verizon will offer a full month’s subscription fee refund to subs who paid for, but only received a partial month of service. As for movies that subs bought and stored in their digital lockers, the telco said it’s exploring options and will provide an update in 2 weeks. For subs with Redbox kiosk rental credits included in subscription, subs must use them before Tues. In addition, Verizon will refund all customers for streaming movie rentals that haven’t been watched and are within the 30-day viewing window as of Tues. Verizon isn’t alone. Comcast gave up on its Streampix service last month. In a filing with the FCC, the MSO said “though Comcast sought to create excitement around Streampix by offering the online version through a unique online site and app, and offered Streampix to a small number of Xfinity broadband-only customers in one region, these attracted minimal interest: both the site and the app are being decommissioned, and the standalone offer was discontinued. Going forward, Streampix will simply be part of the Xfinity TV app and website like other VOD offerings.”