Dish Network is preparing to launch its own movie streaming service to compete with Netflix, according to a new report. The company acquired most of Blockbuster's assets in April for $320 million and will reportedly introduce the service under the Blockbuster name.

Bloomberg reports that the service is planned to launch in October as a bid to compete with Netflix. Though Netflix is the market leader, the company has experienced blowback from customers and on Wall Street, in the wake of its recent price increase.

On Thursday, Starz announced that it had ended negotiations with Netflix. Starz is responsible for most of the new releases — from studios like Sony and Disney — on the streaming service.

Bloomberg reports that Starz is expected to be part of the new Dish/Blockbuster offering. If true, that could give Dish a leg up on some of the competitors in this space. Bloomberg also says that Dish is looking into an option that might allow Dish customers to watch on-demand Blockbuster films via their TV sets. No pricing structure has been set.

Dish will enter an arena fraught with competitors. Hulu, Amazon's Instant Video and various TV Everywhere initiatives like HBO Go are also currently fighting for a place in the living room.

BONUS: Chronicling Netflix's Downturn, July to October 2011