Inside Redbox

GameStop CEO: Video Games at Redbox Won’t Impact Us

Shane Smith — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:03:46 +0000

According to video game buy-sell-trade giant GameStop, it has nothing to worry about if/when Redbox expands its fledgling video game rentals beyond a few test markets. GameStop CEO Dan DeMatteo told shareholders on his company’s finanical results call today that such a scenario with Redbox wouldn’t be a cause for concern. Said DeMatteo:

“Redbox is testing video game rentals in some markets . . . Video game rental has always been a channel of distribution in the industry. I see it as a shift from rental stores to machines, if they are successful, and [it will have] no impact on our sales.”

Insiders, do you live in one of the Redbox video game test markets, and if so, have you rented a game? Is DeMatteo right about the lack of potential Redbox impact on his company? If there were a Redbox that stocked video games located near a local GameStop, would that in any way preclude you from doing doing business with the store?

(via Home Media Magazine)

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Analysts: Blockbuster Bankruptcy Could Benefit Both Redbox and BB

Shane Smith — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:32:11 +0000

In the wake of yesterday’s revealing regulatory filing from Blockbuster that hinted at possible bankruptcy, several industry analysts have voiced their opinions on the issue. John Kraft with D.A. Davidson & Co. feels that a bankrupt Blockbuster would drive traffic to Redbox kiosks, while Needham analyst Charles Wolf thinks that a new story in BB history could begin with Chapter 11.

A Boost to Redbox?
Kraft believes that should Blockbuster enter bankruptcy, it would be compelled to close even more retail locations. Such a move, combined with the massive closures of Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores, would inexorably push consumers to Redbox kiosks. Said Kraft:

“We believe Redbox has an opportunity for significant market share gains at the expense of the brick-and-mortar players,”

Bankruptcy a Boon for BB?
Needham analyst Wolf is of the opinion that Blockbuster will be unable to get out from under a crushing debt load of nearly $1 billion without filing for Chapter 11 protection. A slimmed, restructured post-bankruptcy company more focused on the by-mail and on-demand sectors would be a positive scenario, in the analyst’s opinion. Said Wolf:

“A voluntary [filing] would enable Blockbuster to reduce its debt burden and interest payments to manageable levels and [allow it] to implement its strategy for closing underperforming stores and building a digital distribution business . . . I can see why management is contemplating it.”

Your turn to sound off, Insiders. Are these analysts correct in their assessments? Is there any hope for a post-bankruptcy Blockbuster? Will Redbox reap extra business from the bankruptcy of its blue rival? Would the demise or massive downsizing of a major Redbox competitor be in the best interest of the video renting consumer?

(via Home Media Magazine)

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Blockbuster Filing Hints at Possible Bankruptcy

Shane Smith — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:56:08 +0000

There’s so much bad news associated with Blockbuster these days that would be nice to post a story once in a while that paints a hopeful picture for the video chain. Today is not that day, however, as a new regulatory filing from BB has raised fresh bankruptcy concerns about the embattled company.

From the filing:

“It is possible that a successful and efficient implementation of an exchange or any of the other strategies we are pursuing will require us to make a pre-packaged, pre- arranged or other type of filing for protection under Chapter 11,”

Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes downplayed the statement in the filing, saying that the language was mandated by the company’s legal counsel. Keyes says that his company has been in talks with one or more Hollywood studios to reduce the rates that BB pays for product, possibly by implementing a consignment arrangement. Said Keyes:

“The studios want us to survive,”

Blockbuster also revealed in the finding that it may pledge its 459 Canadian stores as collateral for the amounts it owes to studios.

Keyes is likely correct when he says that Hollywood wants Blockbuster to survive. The important question, Insiders, is this: do you?

(via Business Week)

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Netflix Streaming Could be Coming to Windows Mobile Devices

Shane Smith — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:25:27 +0000

It seems that Netflix streaming will be available on small screens sooner rather than later, and the news out of Microsoft’s MIX10 developer conference seems to confirm that. At the conference, a device running a prototype of the Windows Phone 7 Series operating system streamed an episode of the television drama Rescue Me using a Netflix mobile app. The new OS is projected to ship on new phones by the end of this year.

According to NewTeeVee, “If all the features from the prototype make it into a final version of the app, subscribers with Windows Phone 7 devices will be able to view new releases and recommended movies, manage their video queues, and watch full-length videos even when they are not in front of a computer or other connected device that stream Netflix movies.”

Would you make room for a such a Netflix streaming-capable device in your pocket, Insiders? As we’ve asked with other news of this nature, how small is too small when it comes to watching movies on-the-go?

(via Home Media Magazine and NewTeeVee)

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Redbox Promo Code for Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Michael — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:23:04 +0000

Redbox is giving out promo codes on the “Redbox Fan Freebie” Facebook page…

Get your code here: http://www.facebook.com/redbox (click on “Fan Freebie”)

The code is valid ONLY on March 17, 2010.

Seems like it will be a great day for free movies from Redbox! Enjoy…

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Redbox New Releases for week of March 16, 2010

Michael — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:15:53 +0000

Another pretty good week at Redbox… check it out!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Armored PG-13
Starring: Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne, Matt Dillon
Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

Astro Boy PG
Starring: Freddie Highmore (v), Nicolas Cage (v)
Genre: Family
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

Bandslam PG
Starring: Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens
Genre: Comedy
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

Broken Embraces R
Starring: Lola Duenas, Penelope Cruz
Genre: Drama, Foreign, Romance
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

Did You Hear About the Morgans? PG-13
Starring: Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

How to Be NR
Starring: Alisa Arnah, Robert Pattinson
Genre: Drama
Release Year: 2008
movie details / trailer

Princess And The Frog G
Starring: Anika Noni Rose (v), Bruno Campos (v)
Genre: Family, Kids, Hit Movies
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

Spongebob Squarepants: Spongebob's Last Stand NR
Starring: Spongebob
Genre: Kids
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

The Fourth Kind PG-13
Starring: Elias Koteas, Milla Jovovich
Genre: Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

Unrivaled R
Starring: Forrest Griffin, Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine, R
Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama
Release Year: 2010
movie details / trailer

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Twilight Saga: New Moon PG-13
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
Genre: Drama, Romance, Hit Movies
Release Year: 2009
movie details / trailer

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Report: 26% of U.S. Consumers Watch Television Online

Shane Smith — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:04:18 +0000

More than a quarter of Americans are catching up with their favorite shows online, according to a new report from research firm In-Stat. The report, with the catchy title of “OTT Video Platforms, Devices, and Consumer Expectations”, states that 26 percent of American consumers watch TV programming online more than once a week.

By In-Stat’s estimation, there were approximately 24 million web-enabled devices such as video game consoles, Roku boxes and web-connected televisions in the U.S. at the end of last year. The firm predicts that that number will swell to 102 million over the next three years.

That being said, In-Stat analyst Keith Nissen says that content providers need not fear that the day is close when the majority of consumers will “cut the cord”. Said Nissen:

“Nearly 40% of consumer broadband household respondents want a combination of linear TV and on-demand TV,”

How much of your television viewing time do you spend on Hulu, Crackle, etc.? Do you foresee a day when all of your home entertainment content will come from the web rather than a more traditional source?

(via NewTeeVee)

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Blockbuster Express Expands its Online Capabilities

Shane Smith — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:20:30 +0000

NCR’s swiftly expanding Blockbuster Express service, which recently added online reservations to its capabilities, has upgraded its website again. Customers can now reserve up to three titles in one transaction and pick them up at the nearest kiosk, an option that is (at least for now) unique to BB Express.

According to Home Media Magazine, the website also “lets customers create favorite lists and rental queues, in addition to identifying a ‘preferred kiosk’, so that whenever they look for DVDs online, they automatically browse movies available at the kiosk most convenient to them.”

Alex Camara, VP and GM of NCR Entertainment, said the following about the upgrade:

“Through our new Web experience, our customers will find a faster and easier way to rent a DVD at the same [$1 per night] price,”

With an eye towards an installed base of 10,000 blue boxes by the end of the year and with features that rival Redbox lacks, such as the ability to use promo codes in online transactions, Blockbuster Express is definitely planning on carving out a major piece of the kiosk business pie for itself.

Insiders, do you see a future where red and blue boxes will appear on every corner, giving consumers greater choice in their home entertainment decisions? How is Redbox going to respond to the first serious challenge to its kiosk supremacy?

(via Home Media Magazine)

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Coinstar CEO: Room for BDs and DVDs in Kiosks

Shane Smith — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:46:01 +0000

Speaking at the Wedbush Securities 8th Annual New York Management Access Conference, Coinstar CEO Paul Davis said that Blu-ray Discs will be stocked in “the majority” of Redbox kiosks by mid-2010. Because most Redboxes are not completely full, he said, high-definition titles can be added without sacrificing space devoted to standard-def discs.

Davis went on to say that his company expects about 15% of its customers to prefer BDs over DVDs, and there will likely be a price premium for the HD discs. Said Davis:

“Granted, we’ll be paying more for the Blu-ray titles, but you should also assume we’ll be charging more,”

Interestingly, Davis also revealed that his company’s recent deal on a 28-day new release delay window with Warner has sliced Redbox’s workaround costs in half. In a subtle dig at the preferential treatment beleaguered Blockbuster seeks from the studios, Davis reiterated Redbox’s stance that if windowing exists, it should apply to all renters. Said Davis:

“We still believe day and date is the best solution, and if there are windows on product everyone should be treated the same,”

Insiders, are you among Davis’ 15% who will make the switch to Blu-ray as it becomes more widely available in Redboxes? What do you think would be a fair price for Redbox to charge for high-def rentals?

(via Home Media Magazine)

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Netflix Streaming Coming to Nintendo DS?

Shane Smith — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:19:35 +0000

Not content to let Blockbuster dominate the tiny-screen video streaming market, Netflix looks to be gauging consumer interest in its streaming service on the Nintendo DS handheld device. A recent Netflix survey posits a hypothetical situation regarding movie and television streaming on the portable gaming rig.

The survey asks participants to rate how likely they would be to use Netflix’s streaming service under the following scenario:

Imagine that Netflix offers its subscribers the ability to instantly watch movies and & TV episodes on their Nintendo DS. The selection available to instantly watch includes some new releases, lots of classics and TV episodes. There are no advertisements or trailers, and movies start in as little as 30 seconds. You can fast-forward, rewind, and pause or watch again. The movies & TV episodes you instantly watch are included in your Netflix membership at no additional fee.

While obviously just a survey question at this point, what do you think the odds are of this becoming a reality, Insiders? Does watching full-length films and TV content over a Wi-Fi connection on the Nintendo handheld’s tiny screen sound like fun to you?

(via Kotaku)

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