Netflix Spins Off 'Qwikster,' CEO Admits 'I Messed Up'

New streaming venture announced, but few details given

(NEWSER) - Watch out, Netflix: Verizon and Redbox are teaming up. Verizon announced today it will enter the video streaming business in a joint venture with Coinstar, the parent company of Redbox DVD rental kiosks, Mashable reports. Verizon said the new service, which will also include access to DVD and Blu-ray discs, will be available across the nation later this year. Anyone in the US, even those who are not current Verizon subscribers, will be able to use the subscription service. More»

Tweets on weed, bench pressing, and boredom

(NEWSER) - Unless Netflix has recently discovered a passion for pot, the @Qwikster Twitter account doesn’t belong to the company, and that's an unfortunate (and hilarious) oversight. Writing for TechCrunch , Alexis Tsotsis calls it an "immediate chink in the company’s rebranded armor, other than the fact that, like a multitude of other failed companies, the name ends in 'ster'..." @Qwikster, an account illustrated by an image of Elmo with a joint, largely explores two topics: boredom and marijuana use. “Bored as shyt wanna blaze but at the same time I don't,” one tweet muses. Another reflects on romance: “Damn so manny cute ass gurl.” More»

Or pay more for both, under new pricing plans

(NEWSER) - Alert to subscribers: Netflix is making big changes to its pricing structure. The movie rental company is separating its DVD subscriptions from its streaming-content plans. Subscribers will have a few options, the company’s blog notes: They can pay $7.99 a month for one DVD at a time, with no streaming. They can pay $7.99 a month for unlimited streaming with no DVDs. Want both? You’ll have to pay for each in full, at $15.98. More»

Warner Bros service launches with Dark Knight

(NEWSER) - Look out Netflix? Warner Bros. has decided to test out a movie rental service on Facebook, according to the Hollywood Reporter . Anyone who "likes" The Dark Knight will be able to spend 30 Facebook credits, meaning $3, to stream the movie to their computer, where it'll be viewable for 48 hours. You'll also have "full Facebook functionality" while watching the movie, so you can comment on the action, or, knowing you, ignore the movie as you get sucked into your friends' status updates. For now, the deal only applies to Dark Knight, but the studio promises to roll out more titles in the coming month. More»

Netflix takes leading role in company's imminent bankruptcy

(NEWSER) - With Blockbuster, once the dominant US video-rental chain, on the verge of bankruptcy, Daniel Indiviglio takes a look at three crucial factors in the demise of an outfit whose “fate was mostly sealed by its failure to embrace technology quickly enough.”

• Netflix: “Its business model merged technology, convenience and good customer service,” Indiviglio writes for the Atlantic—and it doesn’t have the overhead costs of ubiquitous stores, like Blockbuster.