| BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "REDBOX" | Receive Blu-ray News via RSS |  |
Redbox Buys NCR Entertainment Division – Blockbuster Express Comes With It
Wed Feb 08, 2012 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Blockbuster Express, Redbox (all tags)
If the partnership between Redbox and Verizon wasn’t impressive enough for you, Redbox has just made another huge announcement.
There was never any real debate over whether Redbox or Blockbuster would be the dominant rental kiosk company, but now there’s no chance of competition. Coinstar, the parent company of Redbox, has just announced that it will be acquiring NCR’s entertainment division, which includes Blockbuster Express.
In a letter sent to Blockbuster Express customers, general manager Justin Hotard said that the completion of the deal is expected in the third quarter of this year. “Until the transaction is completed,” he says, “you will continue to enjoy the convenience, choice, and value you're used to from Blockbuster Express.”
From the sound of things, currently existing Blockbuster Express kiosks will become Redbox kiosks, further cementing the video renter’s already incredible market penetration.
Source: Engadget
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Verizon and Redbox Join up for Netflix-Like Disc and Streaming Service
Tue Feb 07, 2012 at 10:00 AM ETTags: Redbox, Verizon, Netflix, Streaming (all tags)
Redbox is finally entering the streaming game, but just what the service will offer is a mystery.
It's about time we see the formation of a streaming service that can legitimately go head-to-head with Netflix. Verizon and Redbox have joined forces to create their own service that provides both streaming video and physical media.
The Netflix model is far from perfect, especially when it comes to the disc-by-mail portion of it. Shipping out individual discs is expensive, but it looks like Redbox will be solving that by letting subscribers pluck DVDs and Blu-rays out of kiosks.
The pricing layout is a big question mark at this point as the joint venture promises "subscription services and more" in "an easy-to-use, flexible and affordable service that will allow all consumers across the U.S. to enjoy the new and popular entertainment they want."
The launch of this new venture is expected in the latter half of 2012. Expect to see some changes at Netflix in anticipation of the competition.
Source: Engadget
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Rumor: Warner is Doubling the Rental Embargo to Eight Weeks
Mon Jan 09, 2012 at 09:30 AM ETTags: Redbox, Netflix, Blockbuster, Warner, Rumors and Speculation (all tags)
This embargo affects not only Redbox and Netflix, but Blockbuster stores as well.
Warner Home Video has never been a fan of the whole Redbox and Netflix thing. They say that the low priced rentals are hurting sales and are doing what they can to cut down on the effects. It's not surprising then that Warner is looking to expand their existing 28 day embargo to 56.
What does seem a bit out of character is that Warner isn't just targeting Netflix and Redbox this time. Not only is the company expanding the embargo on low priced kiosks and subscription services, they're applying that eight week embargo to Blockbuster stores as well.
It hasn't been officially announced at this point, but it seems fairly likely. Adding the delay would be a move not only to increase DVD and Blu-ray sales, but to push the digital copy storage locker UltraViolet which is getting a big push this year.
Source: Home Media Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Blockbuster Express Customers Rented Better Movies than Redbox Customers in 2011
Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 02:55 PM ETTags: Blockbuster Express, Redbox, Industry Trends (all tags)
At the top of Redbox kiosks was the Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston movie 'Just Go With It.' Blockbuster's top title was 'Bridesmaids.' The differences get even more glaring from there.
Blockbuster and Redbox released their top rental lists for 2011 and we noticed one very glaring disparity between the two services. Blockbuster Express customers rented generally good films while the folks that picked up movies from Redbox rented the worst of the worst.
We decided to go ahead and math this out using Rotten Tomatoes as an indicator for movie quality. Blockbuster revealed a Top 10 list while Redbox posted the top five in each category. We went ahead and used the top two in each category for Redbox, which seems like a pretty fair way to go about it.
The average rating for Blockbuster Express rentals according to Rotten Tomatoes is an impressive 78.2 percent. 'The King's Speech' sits at the top of the pile with 95 percent while 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' takes the bottom slot with 35 percent. The latter title is the only one to drop under 75 percent for Blockbuster Express.
By comparison, Redbox averages 50.7 percent. The high for the Redbox titles we used in our calculations was 'Rango,' with a score of 88. It's one of only three titles on the list to score above 75 percent. The lowest rated title is also the number one title rented from Redbox kiosks - the disastrous romantic comedy 'Just Go With It,' starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. 'Just Go With It' scored just 19 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
What this says about the folks that rent from Redbox as opposed to Blockbuster Express customers is up for you to decide.
Source: Home Media Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Redbox Comes to Chicago Train Stations
Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Redbox (all tags)
The move is designed to improve the experience for commuters while getting the city some cash in the process.
When reading through the results of a survey given out recently, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel noticed one word popping up over and over again - Redbox. Folks that want a little more convenience on their trip home from work, and providing Redbox kiosks would certainly make things easier. One less stop on the way home is well worth it.
Emanuel acted on that request and is having a total of 11 kiosks installed at train stations across the city. It's not just for the rail riders though. "This is an opportunity for CTA to gain non fare-box revenue as well as offer an amenity we know our customers want," says Chicago Transport Authority president Forrest Claypool.
This is an interesting move for the city and will certainly be watched by other city governments looking for a way to offer more services while making more money.
Source: Home Media Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Redbox Raises DVD Rentals to $1.20 - Blu-ray Prices Stay the Same
Mon Oct 31, 2011 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Redbox, Kiosks, Blu-ray Rentals (all tags)
Well, they couldn't stay at $1.00 forever, but the effects of this price increase should be interesting to see.
Redbox, the rental kiosk chain famous for their $1.00 a night DVD rentals, has finally raised its prices. DVDs are now going to run $1.20 a night, which isn't actually too ridiculous. It does mean that the company loses out on a long established selling point though.
"This marks the first price increase for a Redbox standard definition DVD rental in eight years," says Redbox CEO Paul Davis. "The change is primarily due to the increase in operating expenses, including the recent increase in debit card interchange fees as a result of the Durbin Amendment."
While the news may upset DVD renters a bit - we'll have to wait and see how it pans out - Blu-ray fans are exempt for now. Rental of Blu-ray discs at Redbox will stand at $1.50 a night as it always has. Now that there's an even smaller disparity between Blu-ray and DVD rentals, this may even encourage holdouts to finally take the step into HD.
Source: Home Media Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Redbox Revenue is Up Again
Tue Aug 02, 2011 at 02:30 PM ETTags: Redbox, Rentals, Industry Trends, High-Def Rentals (all tags)
Hey, what do you know? Redbox is making money hand over fist, just like Redbox does.
So you might have picked up on this already, but Redbox is very good at making money. Not just at making money, but making lots of money. More money than most people - most companies even - will see in their lives.
The latest earnings report from the company shows that revenue is up 33.8 percent in the second quarter of 2011. It's not just new kiosks that increased the company's earnings either - kiosks rented an average of 16.8 percent more discs.
Redbox president Mitch Lowe says that the popularity of Redbox for movies and games means more than just money for the company. " More than 1.5 billion movie rentals and the positive consumer reaction to video games highlight the ongoing demand for physical media," he says.
Source: Home Media Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Spot Kiosks Rent Blu-rays For 89 Cents a Night
Mon Mar 28, 2011 at 02:00 PM ETTags: Redbox, High-Def Retailing (all tags)
The new company has debuted in Riverside, California and has Redbox in its sights.
Redbox rental pricing is already low enough for studios to feel threatened, but a new company is making video rental even cheaper.
Spot is the latest company to enter the rental Kiosk market and the first to offer prices significantly lower than Redbox. It's a big deal. DVD rentals are a dollar a day, or just 89 cents a day if you rent two at once.
Here's where things get interesting - Blu-ray pricing is the same. Blu-rays cost a dollar a night or 89 cents a night for two. It's a nice step down from the costs of Blu-ray through Redbox and an attempt to combat what company president Greg Waring calls "the perception of price gouging for Blu-ray."
There are 25 Spot kiosks out there right now, all of which are located in Riverside, California. The company plans to go wide with its kiosks this summer.
Source: Engadget
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Amazon, Best Buy, and Coinstar Are Potential Blockbuster Buyers
Mon Feb 28, 2011 at 05:50 PM ETTags: Blockbuster, Amazon, Best Buy, Redbox, High-Def Retailing, Industry Trends (all tags)
The final sale of the company is expected by April.
It's amazing how quickly things turned around for Blockbuster. They were a giant in the rental industry, and they even became a brand name that describes a product. Like Band-Aid and Jell-O, Blockbuster became the one notable name in its business.
The company is up for sale with a minimum offer of $290 million, or $265 without studio support. Blockbuster submitted a list of potential buyers during its bankruptcy filings. That list includes expected names like Amazon, Best Buy, and RedBox owner Coinstar.
It also includes NCR, the folks behind Blockbuster Express, Sonic Solutions, and even Hollywood Video founder Mark Wattles.
Source: Home Media Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Redbox Leads in Rentals for January
Fri Feb 25, 2011 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Redbox, Netflix, Rentals, Industry Trends (all tags)
This is the first time Redbox has been the number one source for rentals.
Redbox has been making huge strides in the rental market with its kiosks, but up until now it had always come in second or third in the overall scheme of things.
According to NPD Group, this changed in January. Not only did Redbox come out on top, but they came out with an impressive lead to boot. They accounted for 35 percent of DVD rentals, with Netflix trailing behind at 30 percent.
Traditional brick-and-mortar stores still made up for 30 percent of rentals, showing that despite a growing trend towards online and kiosk rental plenty of people are still going to their local video store. Independent stores make up the rest.
"Redbox has done an outstanding job of meeting consumer needs for a ‘blended’ shopping experience," says NPD's Russ Crupnick. "It saves an extra trip when I’m at Walmart or McDonalds, and the research shows that they are perceived as delivering a high value experience price wise."
Source: Home Media Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
MORE BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "REDBOX":
- Redbox Subscription Streaming Plans are Official Feb 18, 2011
- Blockbuster Express Launching 3,000 New Kiosks in 2011 Feb 07, 2011
- Warner is Raising Fees for Netflix and Redbox Feb 03, 2011
- Do Studios Need to Cut Theatrical Window to Eight Weeks? Feb 02, 2011
- Redbox Sales Tumble in Fourth Quarter - 28-day Delay To Blame? Jan 14, 2011
- Redbox Says Thanks for a Billion Rentals With a Giveaway Sep 08, 2010
- Blu-rays Coming to All Redbox Kiosks by Fall Aug 03, 2010
- Redbox Adds a Blu-ray Search Page Jul 30, 2010
- FeedFlix Finds Some Netflix Subscribers Might be Better off With Redbox Jul 27, 2010
- Redbox Talks Streaming Options Jul 21, 2010
- Blu-ray Rentals Will be $1.50 Through Redbox Jun 07, 2010
- Redbox Records Record Profits – "Too Soon to Tell" Effect of Delayed Releases May 03, 2010
- Redbox Makes Deal with Fox – 'Avatar' Gets Pushed Back – Blu-rays Coming Soon Apr 26, 2010
- RedBox Surveys Customers on Monthly Streaming Service Apr 06, 2010
- Redbox/Warner Brothers Deal Means 28 Day Wait Feb 18, 2010
- RedBox Rentals Too Expensive? Try BigBox Dec 10, 2009
- Redbox Tests Disc Sales Through Kiosks Oct 20, 2009
- Paramount Launches Trial License Program for Redbox Aug 27, 2009
- Redbox Sues 20th Century Fox Over DVD Delays Aug 13, 2009
- More Blu-ray In The Immediate Future For Redbox Aug 06, 2009
- Sony Inks Deal With Redbox For Distribution Jul 28, 2009
- Sony Inks Deal With Redbox For Distribution Jul 28, 2009
» High-Def Digest home page
