Redbox Instant shutting down (email, click, Verizon, format)

[swagger]

Just got this:

Dear Steve,

Thank you for being a part of Redbox Instant by Verizon. We're reaching out to let you know that the service will be shut down on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

You will receive a separate email from us on Friday, October 10 with details regarding refunds you are owed. For additional information, please click here.

In the meantime, you may continue to stream movies and use your Redbox kiosk credits until Tuesday, October 7 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Thanks again for being a Redbox Instant by Verizon customer. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for the opportunity to entertain you.

Sincerely,
The Redbox Instant by Verizon Team

Anyone heard anything about why?

[PeachSalsa]

Redbox Instant's streaming video service shuts down on October 7th

Low customer numbers, a CC fraud incident, and Netflix as competition, apparently.

[swagger]

Originally Posted by PeachSalsa

Redbox Instant's streaming video service shuts down on October 7th

Low customer numbers, a CC fraud incident, and Netflix as competition, apparently.

I just read a different article about it. They were apparently operating at a loss from day one, and never did turn it around.

I think their biggest mistake was trying to rely on a combination of streaming+kiosk credits, instead of focusing on the streaming. I think I had them for about a year, and only used the kiosk a couple of times. I would have gladly swapped the kiosk credits for a better streaming selection.

[eGeekUniverse]

I tried them for a month myself and I too wish they had a better streaming selection. There are also more and more free viewing options that are showing up. Too bad, the competition might have forced the pay services to have better selections.