(Image source: MyDot)

BY BRICE SANDER

The Redbox/Netflix battle may be headed to war. Redbox and Verizon announced a joint venture that could directly compete with Netflix’s online streaming services. But Deadline says details are scarce.

“We don’t know whether it’ll be competitive with Netflix because the companies won’t say what they’re offering consumers and how much they’ll pay … investors lost a lot of their initial enthusiasm for the

That didn’t stop industry analysts from examining the launch of another streaming service. One analyst tells CNBC he’s a fan of the idea, as long as they learn from past mistakes.

“Verizon and Redbox would have to take on pretty significant content risks to compete. And if you go back to 2011 with Netflix, you saw what happens if you start licensing a lot of content ahead of subscriber growth.”

A VentureBeat writer argues Verizon’s TV industry connections give Redbox a leg up on Netflix.

“If you combine those relationships with Redbox’s major movie studio relationships, you have enough reach to rival Netflix in a big way. Not only that, but Verizon has access to lots of cash to pay for those streaming deals…”

So this new venture could beat out Netflix for a lot of content. But the LA Times suggests Netflix is only one opponent in the fight for content and customers.

“Due to complex rights issues, Netflix's streaming service offers a hodgepodge of older and independent films, as the rights to most new releases from major studios are controlled by pay cable networks like HBO … [and Redbox’s] machines carry only about 200 titles, a fraction of the number that can be offered on the Internet.”

TIME argues the battle then isn’t Netflix versus Redbox, but cable versus streaming.

“But come on. Who are they kidding? … there are only so many shows and movies one can watch, and only so many monthly bills one can handle. At some point, the consumer faces an either/or proposition, not both.”

No word on how much the new Verizon/Redbox service will cost or how to sign up for it. But expect to hear more about the deal this summer, just before it launches in the fall.