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Over at Zatz Not Funny, they have posted some screenshots of the TiVo Online Store showing an option to order a Blockbuster Online Subscription with your new TiVo. The speculation is that TiVo may be partnering with Blockbuster to offer online DVD rentals through your TiVo.

Since TiVo stated a while back that they are no longer working on a Video on Demand (VOD) service with Netflix, I guess they are going to test the waters of offering DVD rentals through your TiVo. I don’t think this will have anything to do with actually downloading the movies to view on your TiVo. This will probably just be the ability to choose DVD movies for your Blockbuster Online DVD Rental Queue from your TiVo. You will be able to browse their selection and add DVD’s to your queue, but not actually download them and watch the movies on your TiVo.

Why would TiVo be partnering with Blockbuster instead of Netflix? I have no idea, but I don’t think it is that big of a deal. While I am definitely not a huge Blockbuster fan, both companies seem to offer a similar service and Blockbuster does have brand recognition that is at least on a par with Netflix in this segment.

Of course, all of this is speculation — the Blockbuster offers have been removed from the TiVo store and there have been no announcements from either TiVo or Blockbuster regarding any agreements. It’s anybody’s guess what all this means, but it’s still interesting.

Technorati Tags: TiVo, Blockbuster, Netflix, DVD, DVR, PVR

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