Blockbuster LLC, bought out of bankruptcy by Douglas County-based Dish Network Corp., is trying to poach customers unhappy with Netflix Inc.’s decision to separate its pricing plans into more expensive tiers.
Netflix customers who switch to Blockbuster by Sept. 15 will receive a 30-day free trial and pay $9.99 a month after that for one DVD at a time or $14.99 for two, Blockbuster president Michael Kelly said in an e-mailed statement.
Steve Swasey, a Netflix spokesman, said consumers would pay more for the same service under Blockbuster’s offer.
“Why would someone do that when Netflix provides a free 30-day trial to new customers and one DVD out at a time for $7.99 a month?” Swasey said.
Blockbuster, which doesn’t offer a streaming service, said its package adds more value because customers don’t have to wait 28 days to see some new releases as they do with Netflix under its deals with several Hollywood studios.
