Mobile/PDA About Us Advertise here


		User name	Password

		Not registered yet? Register here. Lost your password? Click here.

Browse by topic

News

Blockbuster partner buys DVD kiosk operation

22 April 2009 12:22 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 8 comments

Blockbuster's hardware partner in the DVD rental kiosk business, NCR, has just purchased the second largest DVD kiosk operation in North America. The largest operator is Redbox.

TNR Holdings already has their The New Release and MovieCube kiosks in supermarkets around the US and Canada. Those machines will presumably be replaced with Blockbuster Express branded machines as soon as possible.

Blockbuster hopes to eventually offer not just DVD rentals, but also downloads to portable media players from their kiosks. CEO Jim Keyes has made it clear he sees the company's future tied in part to a successful transition from brick and mortar stores to kiosks.

The company's other major emphasis right now is on making sure their online service, Total Access, is profitable. That was a change last year from the previous CEO's strategy of competing with Netflix for the most online customers.

The Blockbuster kiosks face an uphill battle competing with the number one player, Redbox, whose kiosks are already in prime locations like McDonalds restaurants, Wal-Marts, and several supermarket chains.

The transition from traditional stores to a more self-service and online operation played a part in last year's $374 million loss. NCR's investment in the new technology is key to avoiding a similar performance this year.

In addition to a built-in customer base, the TNR acquisition gives the Blocbuster Express venture an experienced sales, installation, and maintenance staff.

Permalink to this article

Sony, Redbox ink distribution deal (27 July 2009)

Blockbuster, Samsung strike TV streaming deal (15 July 2009)

Redbox expands into video games (1 June 2009)

Wal-Mart targets Circuit City customers (19 May 2009)

Blockbuster teams up with TiVo (25 March 2009)

Blockbuster joins up with CinemaNow (18 January 2009)

Blockbuster drops DVD rentals to 99 cents (6 December 2008)

« Previous news article
Users will download 1 billionth iPhone app within days

Next news article »
Warner Bros. starts HD DVD trade-in program

Post your comment

Discuss this article!
voltRis (Newbie) 22 April 2009 14:19
$374 million loss and they're still going? Better luck next year. Long live Netflix and local rental stores. [ + quote]
Morreale (Member) 22 April 2009 15:33
*Originally posted by voltRis:* Long live Netflix and local rental stores. Local rental stores like the Block Buster just around the corner from me? [ + quote]
revengine (Member) 22 April 2009 15:44
Why rent period when I can dl anything I want ? [ + quote]
Hrdrk20 (Member) 22 April 2009 15:55
*Quote:* Why rent period when I can dl anything I want ? *Quote:* Because it's faster to use Redbox and DVDShrink than to download. Save the downloading for new releases like X-Men Origins : Wolverine and Monsters Vs. Aliens ;) [ + quote]
voltRis (Newbie) 22 April 2009 16:24
*Quote:* Local rental stores like the Block Buster just around the corner from me? I'm not arguing the semantics of "local" with you, but if you live in BFE and that's the only rental store nearby, sure. [ + quote]
Morreale (Member) 22 April 2009 16:35
I was just kiddin' lol But Blockbuster probably is the best rental store closest to me, the other one sucks and another one went out of business. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22 April 2009 16:36
revengine (Member) 23 April 2009 7:50
lol, it takes me less than 30 minutes to dl any movie i want. [ + quote]
Chroma45 (Member) 24 April 2009 18:14
*Originally posted by revengine:* Why rent period when I can dl anything I want ? And why make movies if everybody will steal them? Yay no more good movies and the circle is complete. [ + quote]