HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "REDBOX"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

Redbox Buys NCR Entertainment Division – Blockbuster Express Comes With It

Wed Feb 08, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: 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 ET
Tags: 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.


Redbox Ignores Warner Demands – Will Rent Movies Day and Date

Thu Feb 02, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Redbox, Warner, Industry Trends (all tags)

Warner attempted to push Redbox's rental delay to eight weeks, but Redbox says no.

Warner Home Entertainment isn’t cool with Redbox and Netflix renting movies as early as they do. Initially, the company offered these renters a nice discount for pushing their rental window to 28 days. This means that Redbox and Netflix were unable to rent movies to customers until four weeks after they were released on DVD and Blu-ray.

Redbox went along with the demand, albeit not happily. Warner’s new request pushed the window even further, to 56 days. Redbox says that this won’t stand, and will be going back to its old practice of buying movies at retail and renting them to customers on the day that they’re released.

The fallout from this should be interesting to see. Warner certainly won’t be pleased with the way Redbox is doing things, but there’s no telling what the fallout will be.

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 ET
Tags: 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 ET
Tags: 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 ET
Tags: 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 Top Game Rentals of 2011 May Surprise

Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 09:30 AM ET
Tags: Redbox, Skyrim, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Shovelware (all tags)

'Modern Warfare 3' is at the top of the list, but titles like 'Dead Island' and 'Brink' follow closely.

Redbox has only recently started renting games, but the store based kiosks provide an interesting insight into the rental patterns of people that pick up games while they're picking up groceries. The company has released its top 10 for the year and some of the titles may come as a bit of a surprise.

The number one game is 'Modern Warfare 3' for the Xbox 360 and second is 'Just Dance 3' for the Wii. No big surprises there, but 'Dead Island' for the Xbox 360 comes in at number three and 'Brink' for Xbox 360 takes the number five spot.

Though 'Skyrim' is a runaway success at retailers, the 360 version comes in at eight on the list behind 'The Smurfs Dance Party.' It used to be number one until it took an arrow in the knee.

Source: Joystiq

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


Verizon and Redbox are Partnering for Streaming Service According to Sources

Fri Dec 09, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Verizon, Redbox, Streaming, Netflix (all tags)

This potential Netflix competitor is starting to look like a very real threat.

Just a few days ago we reported on the creation of a Verizon streaming service that aims to compete in the same space as Netflix, but the guys over at TechCrunch uncovered a partnership that makes this seem like it might be a real threat to the current dominant subscription video service.

While initially it was reported that pay TV channels like Epix would be the focus, it seems that Redbox is also heavily involved in the new venture. Using the massive content library of Redbox in addition to the incredible retail space penetration, the service will certainly attract a great deal of attention.

Reports and leaks indicate that the service will charge a monthly $5.95 fee for six credits which can be used to watch movies, TV shows and the like. Content will be able to be streamed to mobile devices, tablets, computers and set-top boxes in HD though there's no word yet on surround sound.

What could be particularly interesting is a combination with this new service and Redbox rentals - allowing customers to use their credits for both streaming and kiosk rentals. We'll certainly be finding out more in the near future as the project is expected to launch in May.

Source: TechCrunch

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 ET
Tags: 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.


Warner May Put a Three Month Delay on Redbox and Netflix Releases

Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 02:30 PM ET
Tags: Warner, Redbox, Netflix (all tags)

Rumor says that the new scheduling will start on November 1st.

Once Redbox and Netflix really took off, movie studios started imposing new rules, experimenting with pricing and different release windows until it seemed like everyone agreed on a 28 day delay. That is, instead of being able to rent out new releases on the day they come out, Netflix and Redbox have to wait four weeks.

If rumor is to believed, Warner isn't happy with the 28 day arrangement and is planning to triple it starting in November. Instead of just a 28 day delay, they're looking at 90 days.

This means that if you want to watch a movie right when it comes out, you'll have to buy it, or go to one of the few video rental stores still in business. The big question on this one - how will this move affect Warner? Will they sell more Blu-rays and DVDs at retail or are they simply costing themselves money because Redbox and Netflix will likely not be buying as many copies of the movie. Time will tell.

Source: Warner

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.



MORE HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "REDBOX":

» High-Def Digest home page


Like Us!