Blinkbox

Blinkbox (stylised as blinkbox) is a UK-based transactional (purchase and rental) video-on-demand (VoD) service available on Macintosh and Microsoft Windows computers, games consoles, tablet computers and Smart TVs. Content is generally streamed, with downloading currently possible on Windows PC/laptops. The Blinkbox brand has been extended to companion services offering digital music and books.

Tesco bought an 80% stake in the business in 2011 as part of a move into digital content. On 8 January 2015 the company sold Blinkbox Movies to TalkTalk Group, who stated they intended to integrate the service into its own range of services. Tesco sold Blinkbox Music to Guvera on 26 January 2015, and confirmed it would close its Blinkbox Books division at the end of February 2015.

History

The company was co-founded in 2006 by Michael Comish (he was Blinkbox's chief executive officer until June 2013 when he became Tesco Group Digital Officer) and Adrian Letts, chief operating officer of the blinkbox group of services and MD of the Movies and TV service, both former senior executives of Channel 4 and Vodafone respectively. Blinkbox was launched in October 2007 with the backing of a number of venture capital firms.