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Redbox Instant video streaming said to launch in December

Leaked details reveal that Verizon's service, which aims to compete with Netflix, could get introduced in a couple weeks and cost as little as $6 per month.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr
2 min read
Redbox

Redbox Instant -- Verizon's stab at a video streaming service to compete with Netflix -- is said to be launching by the end of the year.

Users may be able to start using the service as soon as December 17, according to GigaOM. Also, it's looking like Redbox Instant could cost as low as $6 a month.

Redbox Instant is a joint venture announced in February between Verizon and Coinstar -- the company that owns the Redbox DVD rental business. The companies aim to develop an on-demand video streaming service with DVD rentals, much like what Netflix offers.

So far, the companies have restrained from giving details on the new service. They've only said that they plan to introduce Redbox Instant sometime in the second half of 2012. They have also mentioned that the streaming service will be available on a variety of devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles.

According to GigaOM, which learned more about the upcoming service by taking a peek at its help section in private beta, a $6 per month subscription will get users unlimited streaming access. At $8 per month, users can also get four credits for DVD rentals. Video on Demand should be available too, starting at 99 cents per sale. Several devices are said to be compatible with the service, including Android, iOS devices, Xbox 360, some Samsung TVs, and Blu-ray players.

However, it's important to keep in mind that although some of these details have been leaked, the companies could change them at any time before launch.

CNET has contacted Verizon and Coinstar for comment and will update this report when we learn more.