Dish Network Planning to Launch Blockbuster-Based Netflix Rival

2:56 PM PDT 9/2/2011 by THR Staff

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Bloomberg/Getty Images

UPDATED: The country's second largest satellite TV provider looks to go head-to-head with the bruised Netflix.

A bad couple of days for Netflix just got worse with word that Dish Network Corp, the second largest U.S. satellite-TV provider, will be launching a subscription-based Blockbuster streaming-movie service next month.

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Bloomberg News reports that the new service would provide onlne streaming movies under a subscription model as well as the current a la carte on-demand, traditional mail and in-store rentals. Content from Starz, the cable channel that halted negotiations to continue its deal with Netflix on Thursday, could also be part of the Blockbuster service.

STORY: Netflix Shares Take a Hit After Starz Breaks Off Negotiations

Dish has owned Blockbuster since April, when it scooped up the company from bankruptcy for $320 million.

Spokespeople with both Dish and Starz declined to comment to the Hollywood Reporter.

Planned price increases and changes to Netflix's popular DVD and online streaming services went into effect Thursday, setting off a chain of user complaints and cancelations, the abrupt end of a content deal with Starz Entertainment and a nearly 9 percent drop in stock price on Friday.