Amazon Prime: Amazon's elite-level services launched in 2005. Prime later expanded to offer instant, streaming movie and TV show access to existing Prime customers at no added cost.
Android Market: Google recently debuted its movie rental service on the Android Market in conjunction with a complete interface makeover. Renting movies from Google is available on all Android devices running version 2.2 and up. Additionally, rentals are not expensive.
Blockbuster: Blockbuster added its own DVD by mail service, and also has the added advantage of allowing customers to return DVDs to Blockbuster stores.
Hulu: At $8 a month, Hulu offers instant streaming access to a wide variety of TV about a day after they've originally aired. Streaming is available to all iOS devices and some Android smartphones and tablets. Hulu offers many TV shows that aren't out to rent on DVD.
iTunes: Apple lets you purchase and rent movies from its iTunes media store, along with the ability to buy TV shows. You're able to watch streaming media on all of Apple's mobile devices. Also, you have the ability to buy entire seasons of a show.
Redbox: Redbox made it possible for supermarket shoppers to pick up a movie without having to make multiple stops. Redbox's 30,000-plus DVD-rental kiosks have become a hit. Additionally, Redbox DVD rental is very cheap and is updated weekly with new movies.
Vudu: Walmart is now in on the media-services game after buying Vudu in 2010. Vudu is another streaming media company. The service was initially only available in a set-top box version, but has now extended itself to other platforms as a standalone media service. It is available to Playstation 3 users, Boxee for OSX owners and Windows-based PC users. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD, so there is no waiting period.
Android Market: Google recently debuted its movie rental service on the Android Market in conjunction with a complete interface makeover. Renting movies from Google is available on all Android devices running version 2.2 and up. Additionally, rentals are not expensive.
Blockbuster: Blockbuster added its own DVD by mail service, and also has the added advantage of allowing customers to return DVDs to Blockbuster stores.
Hulu: At $8 a month, Hulu offers instant streaming access to a wide variety of TV about a day after they've originally aired. Streaming is available to all iOS devices and some Android smartphones and tablets. Hulu offers many TV shows that aren't out to rent on DVD.
iTunes: Apple lets you purchase and rent movies from its iTunes media store, along with the ability to buy TV shows. You're able to watch streaming media on all of Apple's mobile devices. Also, you have the ability to buy entire seasons of a show.
Redbox: Redbox made it possible for supermarket shoppers to pick up a movie without having to make multiple stops. Redbox's 30,000-plus DVD-rental kiosks have become a hit. Additionally, Redbox DVD rental is very cheap and is updated weekly with new movies.
Vudu: Walmart is now in on the media-services game after buying Vudu in 2010. Vudu is another streaming media company. The service was initially only available in a set-top box version, but has now extended itself to other platforms as a standalone media service. It is available to Playstation 3 users, Boxee for OSX owners and Windows-based PC users. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD, so there is no waiting period.