Sony's Qriocity Attempts to Put Pressure on Netflix

The race to catch Netflix is heating up, and now it's Sony that is trying to put on some pressure. They have recently launched a streaming on-demand movie service with a few added quirks, and some setbacks, that hope to put a dent in the continued success of Netflix.Other companies are trying steal users from Netflix as well, HBO among the most notable. While some are gearing up to take down Netflix, this looks to be Sony's last shot. [caption id="attachment_37800" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Qriocity offers new releases on demand, a big advantage over Netflix"][/caption] Qriocity, pronounced "curiosity," is the colloquial moniker (the press release calls the service 'Video On Demand powered by Qriocity'). Offering immediate in-home entertainment in the form of movies, with on-demand music, games, and e-books to follow in time, Qriocity has been launched already in Japan, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, and is now invading Canada and the United States. Initially it would seem an affront to Netflix, but there are key difference that may not convince users who already subscribe to on-demand services. Whereas Netflix offers a flat monthly fee, Qriocity is a pay-per movie service, more like a conveniently located video store. Moreover, Netflix easily offers their movies through Wii, iPads, PlayStation 3, or simply a laptop. Qriocity meanwhile, works solely with Sony televisions such as the Bravia, or Blu-ray players at the moment, and will soon expand to PlayStation 3 and PSP. In the United States Qriocity will have to excel at providing music and books in order to become popular, as the pay-per play service may cause some to be balk at the new opportunity. High definition movies go between $5 and $6, whereas standard definition content will be a dollar less. The price is comparable to most movie rental chains, but the convenience is as always invaluable.In Canada, however, Qriocity may do well but they will not likely displace Netflix. Instead they can easily complement it. Netflix Canada is very slowly gaining newer titles as licensing and copyright issues prevent them from streaming new releases, but users do not flock to the online service for newer titles. With a great selection of foreign films, documentaries, and British and Canadian TV shows, Netflix Canada should not be the sole source of entertainment, but instead a backbone of it. For the low price of $8 a month, and the convenience of streaming through various common devices, the service is a great addition to a library Add Qriocity, and movie goers now get access to new releases that they can rent individually, and the overlap of titles is negligible. In Canada, it should be Rogers, the media conglomerate, which will feel the heat as movie goers skip the store and stay home to pick out their nightly entertainment. With selections from the likes of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Starz Digital Media, Disney, NBC, and Warner, Qriocity has a chance to do well. When the music library begins, it too looks to do well with big named labels available such as EMI, Sony Music, Universal Music Group , and Warner Music Group

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Sony's Qriocity Attempts to Put Pressure on Netflix

The race to catch Netflix is heating up, and now it's Sony that is trying to put on some pressure. They have recently launched a streaming on-demand movie service with a few added quirks, and some setbacks, that hope to put a dent in the continued success of Netflix.

Anthony Marcusa

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Anthony Marcusa