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View Full Version : Redbox Has More Kiosks Than Blockbuster Has U.S. Stores


futuresl
November 27th, 2007, 01:11 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071126005130&newsLang=en

"Redbox is now available in 46 states and expects to be operational in every state in the continental U.S. by the end of 2007. The streamlined, efficient installation of redbox kiosks allows the brand to penetrate new markets in under a month and provides consumers ready access to the latest movie titles.

Each fully automated redbox kiosk holds more than 500 DVDs, representing 100-150 of the newest movie releases, with new titles available every Tuesday. Consumers simply use a touch screen to select their favorite movies, swipe a valid credit or debit card and go. The complete transaction takes less than 60 seconds. Customers can keep the DVD for as long as they’d like for $1 per night plus tax. After 25 nights, rental charges cease and the DVD is the customer’s to keep."

MissHailstorm
November 27th, 2007, 01:16 PM
In my local gym, there are 6 vending machines and 1 café.




I don't really find this news-worthy...

c:nt
November 27th, 2007, 01:56 PM
Try arguing with a fuckin machine when you bring it back late, or it dont work.

People like Blockbuster because they can argue with a choice of retards behind the counter.

Me included ;)

Antithesys
November 27th, 2007, 02:24 PM
I've heard nothing but disinterest and negative reviews from those things. I only know of one in my area; I'm sure there are more but nobody seems to care.

orbitdvd
November 27th, 2007, 04:14 PM
I've heard nothing but disinterest and negative reviews from those things. I only know of one in my area; I'm sure there are more but nobody seems to care.


Hmmm. Exactly what I hear about Blockbuster. :rolleyes:


marc

igniteice
November 27th, 2007, 06:18 PM
I've heard nothing but disinterest and negative reviews from those things. I only know of one in my area; I'm sure there are more but nobody seems to care.

That and nobody knows they are there.

CureForEmo
November 27th, 2007, 07:05 PM
We have a Movie Bank right near me that I enjoy using. They're leasing a small strip slot in a Kroger's shopping center, and just advertise it as open 24 hours, with attendent hours about 4hr daily. I like the convenience of picking up a movie at 3am if I feel the need, and since I'm responsible with my return times $1 a movie isn't bad, but the selection is very small, and probably will be unless it catches on big. When they opened in the same shopping center as Hollywood (a stop light away from BBV) it seemed like suicide, but with Hollywood out of the way now they seem to be catching on a bit (based on items checked out when I go).

The company as a whole dropped the ball on advertising though, as moviebankusa.com is much less memorable than the ad site moviebank.com One thing they've done well is give members credit incentives for recruiting new members. Very cheap way to spread the word to other people fed up with BB.

Propoxy
November 27th, 2007, 07:57 PM
I use Redbox on Mondays when they text me a free rental code. It has a pretty limited selection, although it does stock the latest major releases. Not Blockbuster Exclusives, though. I did take note of that.

$1 a day seems like a good deal until you realise Blockbuster charges about 57 cents a day. The $1 is fine for people who only want the DVD that night, but renting in a store is better if you want to keep the movie for awhile, or don't get a chance to watch it immediately. Plus, you're screwed with Redbox on holidays when the store it's in is closed, or closes early.

sar94pga
November 27th, 2007, 08:15 PM
we have a red box in the local grocery store. and i know some of my customers use it. because they come in bitchin about the line of 7 people all waiting to get the newest movies. and instead they just come up to my store, grab one, and carry on with their lives.

the red box has its list of pro's and con's. but at the end of the day, for most people, going to blockbuster is an experiance. people plan on it. on friday nights, they go out to dinner, go to the walmart and go to blockbuster. not go out to dinner, go to the walmart and go to the red box....

i dunno, maybe thats my small town mentalitly talking.

CreepyNormal
November 27th, 2007, 10:26 PM
on friday nights, they go out to dinner, go to the walmart and go to blockbuster. not go out to dinner, go to the walmart and go to the red box....

Here, there's a redbox IN the Walmart. Which is open 24 hours a day.

I'm worried Jim Keyes might be thinking of putting Blockbuster BlueBoxes out there to compete with them. :rolleyes:

thecowboywayne
November 27th, 2007, 10:29 PM
isn't it time they make a pornbox? I'd use that...

CureForEmo
November 28th, 2007, 03:32 PM
isn't it time they make a pornbox? I'd use that...

not far off. moviebank has an adult section option on their kiosks. the one near me doesn't have any (or video games for that matter) but somebody out there must have some. the next step porn-wise will be to put an automated glory hole in the side of the kiosk.

MissHailstorm
November 28th, 2007, 03:42 PM
They used to have Blockbuster vending machines in Israel. I'm reliably informed they were mainly stacked full of porn.

getoffmybeach
November 28th, 2007, 03:50 PM
We have something similar here. I haven't seen anyone using them after the first week. I looked at it the other day and was shocked that they don't even have new releases at the same time. They still had Deck the Halls listed as "coming soon" as well as a few others that escape me at the moment. They also had many BSI titles listed as new release. By the time you pay the late fees it's just not worth it.

MissHailstorm
November 28th, 2007, 04:03 PM
We had Blockbuster vending machines over here for years, also - but I'm not sure if we still do them.

I remember doing a search on the website for my nearest machine, and it was a whole county away from me! :p But there no longer appears to be any trace of them on the website, or anywhere, so I'm going to assume they stopped doing them.

Maybe they weren't catching on, or maybe the way Blockbuster were doing them was crap. :D

turtletime
November 28th, 2007, 04:22 PM
isn't it time they make a pornbox? I'd use that...

uh, we already have one of those!! it's called the computer! :D

sar94pga
November 28th, 2007, 05:16 PM
uh, we already have one of those!! it's called the computer! :D

would all the porn be on his computer or yours? :D

turtletime
November 28th, 2007, 07:37 PM
would all the porn be on his computer or yours? :D

heehee...his actually! :D i like mine on the DVD! :D

futuresl
November 28th, 2007, 07:48 PM
Here, there's a redbox IN the Walmart. Which is open 24 hours a day.

I'm worried Jim Keyes might be thinking of putting Blockbuster BlueBoxes out there to compete with them. :rolleyes:

Blockbuster Testing $1 Per Night DVD Rental Kiosks

The Dallas Morning News reports that Blockbuster is testing $1 per night DVD rental kiosks.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/1123dnbusblockbuster.1186c1f.html

"Blockbuster licenses the vending machines and doesn't own them, Ms. Raskopf said. She declined to identify the owner or financial details of the licensing agreement. Rental prices and terms are set by the licensee, she said.
Netflix doesn't see that kiosks will hurt its business, CEO Reed Hastings said in a July conference call."

"We see it as competing mostly with the stores because they are new-release focused," Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said Wednesday. "People come to Netflix for convenience, selection and value, and those are really unsurpassed anyplace else." The company offers 90,000 titles."

CreepyNormal
November 29th, 2007, 12:23 AM
Blockbuster Testing $1 Per Night DVD Rental Kiosks

The Dallas Morning News reports that Blockbuster is testing $1 per night DVD rental kiosks.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/1123dnbusblockbuster.1186c1f.html

"Blockbuster licenses the vending machines and doesn't own them, Ms. Raskopf said. She declined to identify the owner or financial details of the licensing agreement. Rental prices and terms are set by the licensee, she said.
Netflix doesn't see that kiosks will hurt its business, CEO Reed Hastings said in a July conference call."

"We see it as competing mostly with the stores because they are new-release focused," Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said Wednesday. "People come to Netflix for convenience, selection and value, and those are really unsurpassed anyplace else." The company offers 90,000 titles."

*groan*

Maybe I can see this working in rural neighborhoods where there ARE no Blockbuster stores. Otherwise, the company's only competing with itself.

Also, people will be going into/calling stores to complain "This disc is scratched," "I got charged $4 on my credit card and I put the movie in the box on time" etc.

OzMan
November 29th, 2007, 01:29 AM
or maybe the way Blockbuster were doing them was crap. :D

Not that that would ever happen ;)

thecowboywayne
November 29th, 2007, 03:57 AM
the next step porn-wise will be to put an automated glory hole in the side of the kiosk.

Uh.....someone pass me the bucket... i'm gonna hurl...:eek:

MissHailstorm
November 29th, 2007, 05:15 AM
Blockbuster Testing $1 Per Night DVD Rental Kiosks

The Dallas Morning News reports that Blockbuster is testing $1 per night DVD rental kiosks.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/1123dnbusblockbuster.1186c1f.html

"Blockbuster licenses the vending machines and doesn't own them, Ms. Raskopf said. She declined to identify the owner or financial details of the licensing agreement. Rental prices and terms are set by the licensee, she said.
Netflix doesn't see that kiosks will hurt its business, CEO Reed Hastings said in a July conference call."

"We see it as competing mostly with the stores because they are new-release focused," Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said Wednesday. "People come to Netflix for convenience, selection and value, and those are really unsurpassed anyplace else." The company offers 90,000 titles."

You've gotta love the way these ideas get recycled round every now and then. I suppose they may as well try and squash the competition, but really.. I can't see a vending machine ever having a particularly big piece of the pie.

And won't some dumbfucks think the machine shouldn't be charging late fees?! :rolleyes:

CureForEmo
November 29th, 2007, 07:45 AM
You've gotta love the way these ideas get recycled round every now and then. I suppose they may as well try and squash the competition, but really.. I can't see a vending machine ever having a particularly big piece of the pie.

And won't some dumbfucks think the machine shouldn't be charging late fees?! :rolleyes:

I do like the way moviebank has their charges screen set up. It tells you how much you will be charged for keeping the movie out 6hr, 12hr, 24hr, etc, so it's pretty hard to be blindsided by the charge (durrrr). I'm sure a few of the extra touched don't get it, but your average person has no excuse.

I've wondered how much revenue these boxes could possibly bring in, because it seems like the turns would have to be very high just to make a profit on a single title, much less considering the overall picture when you factor in titles that don't turn much or at all, and operating expenses. Maybe I'm missing something. And for the ones that have their own four walls leased, I'm surprised more of them don't incorporate other vending machines for drinks and snacks. Seems like the margin on a pack of popcorn would be worth it.

MissHailstorm
November 29th, 2007, 08:02 AM
I've wondered how much revenue these boxes could possibly bring in, because it seems like the turns would have to be very high just to make a profit on a single title, much less considering the overall picture when you factor in titles that don't turn much or at all, and operating expenses. Maybe I'm missing something. And for the ones that have their own four walls leased, I'm surprised more of them don't incorporate other vending machines for drinks and snacks. Seems like the margin on a pack of popcorn would be worth it.

I don't really see how it can generate all that much either. So it holds approx. 500 DVDs. Even if all of those went out every single day (which we know they don't), it is therefore limited to making a maximum of $500 per day. So so what if there's more vending machines than stores? Vending machines are never going to make anywhere near what a store does.

And one must wonder what Redbox does with the DVDs when they're no longer in demand - surely they can't sell them as ex-rentals? :D

I think that Netflix guy was bang on the money when he said the type of person it appeals to is one they are not concerned with.


Maybe if these machines can sustain themselves without making a huge loss, it's worth bothering to set up some sort of Blockbuster rival. For all the harm it can do.

But the real question is - why are Blockbuster always playing catch-up with these 'new' ideas? Netflix got there first with online. To be fair, Blockbuster HAVE had vending machines for years - so maybe they did get there first - but they obviously decided they weren't really worth it, whilst another company found they can seemingly do something with the area?

I just think they should be concentrating on technology a bit more. Things like movie downloads, set top boxes. I wonder if they're even looking into these things. I can't imagine it will be more than about 5 years before it's reasonably commonplace to be downloading movies over high speed Internet connections, direct to your television. No need for vending machines or online rentals when you can do that. And it's people that are into technology are the type of people that will be using these services.

IMO, stores will outlive vending machines and online rental services - but Blockbuster need to get in there first on what's coming over the horizon...

CureForEmo
November 29th, 2007, 09:15 AM
I knew there was something important about moviebank I was forgetting to mention. The way their location here is set up, they aren't limited to 500 dvds. Basically when you walk in you have two kiosks you can use to select your movie, and then you walk two steps to the back wall of the store front, punch in your card/pin and it's basically a giant vending machine that retrieves your movie from the back. So they could potentially stock a large selection, but of course they would then have to rent out that many more movies. Still, I found it an interesting difference.

futuresl
November 29th, 2007, 10:01 AM
And one must wonder what Redbox does with the DVDs when they're no longer in demand - surely they can't sell them as ex-rentals? :D

Check it out:
http://mike.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/11/26/redboxsells.jpg
Source: http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2007/11/redbox-has-more.html

I just think they should be concentrating on technology a bit more. Things like movie downloads, set top boxes. I wonder if they're even looking into these things. I can't imagine it will be more than about 5 years before it's reasonably commonplace to be downloading movies over high speed Internet connections, direct to your television. No need for vending machines or online rentals when you can do that. And it's people that are into technology are the type of people that will be using these services.

"Our plan is to fully integrate the Movielink site into Blockbuster.com with enhanced functionality and an improved user interface"

Blockbuster Inc. expects to begin offering movie downloads to personal computers sometime in the first or second quarter, CEO James W. Keyes recently told Wall St."
Source: http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=24479

MissHailstorm
November 29th, 2007, 10:39 AM
"Our plan is to fully integrate the Movielink site into Blockbuster.com with enhanced functionality and an improved user interface"

Blockbuster Inc. expects to begin offering movie downloads to personal computers sometime in the first or second quarter, CEO James W. Keyes recently told Wall St."
Source: http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=24479

Various online rental companies have been offering movie downloads for ages. A company here called LoveFilm has been doing it for over a year. So once again, Blockbuster has left it a little late.

But what I'm really talking about is the future of downloads. Being able to download a film to your computer is all well and good, but many people still prefer to watch it on their television, as a family unit. Of course, it's possible to download a film and watch it through your television, but it's unlikely that the average person has the technological skills to do this. There are many that don't have the skills to even log onto one of those websites. That's why this area is always going to have its limits. More and more people become confident with using computers and the Internet on a daily basis, but I think a lot more are happy using their televisions and satellite/digital television interfaces.


People can already download movies to their games consoles, for example. They can do this over a wireless Internet connection and play it straight back through their television - all in high definition. Right now, the thought of downloading a full HD movie probably makes most us shudder at the thought of our HDDs and Internet connections coping. But, year on year, capabilities in these areas increase and cost comes down.

Once it becomes possible to have a television with a built-in function (or a set top box) to browse movies and download them - all using your remote control - THAT is something Blockbuster needs to get in on. Admittedly, I don't know very much about Movielink - so maybe this is what they're looking at already. And I hope so. But the problem with getting in on this side of things is that other companies - who've never even entered the movie rental business before - might get there first.

I'm thinking of a company such as Sky or Virgin, who have the expertise on the technology side of things, and creating interfaces designed to be navigated on a television. This isn't exactly Blockbuster's area, so I do have to wonder what their plans for this are.

OzMan
November 29th, 2007, 12:05 PM
I don't really see how it can generate all that much either. So it holds approx. 500 DVDs. Even if all of those went out every single day (which we know they don't), it is therefore limited to making a maximum of $500 per day. So so what if there's more vending machines than stores? Vending machines are never going to make anywhere near what a store does.

You have forgotten what I always say, MissH. Revenue doesn't matter, profits matter ;)

Think about what the costs of these boxes are. Labour is virtually non-existent. You send someone out once a week to restock with new titles. Counting the drive, how long can that take? Probably means labour (counting repair crews) is less than $20 a week per machine.

Labour is one of the top three costs at your store (it is usually #2 in video, but it can be as high as 1, if the store is mis-managed). The reason that there are such tight labour constrains is to try to manage that cost. All vending machines take that labour cost out of the equation. (There are a lot of vending machine companies started as a small business, serviced by the owner, so their labour costs are technically zero). Redbox isn't going to do anywhere near the revenue that a BBI will do, but then again they don't have to.

I saw my first Redbox the other day. It is OUTSIDE of a McDonalds. Although I can't see it being busy this time of year (the rainy season seems to have finally started here), when it's nice out, I can see people renting from it 24 hours a day.

As for downloads, I think Apple is leading that market.

futuresl
November 29th, 2007, 12:16 PM
Once it becomes possible to have a television with a built-in function (or a set top box) to browse movies and download them - all using your remote control - THAT is something Blockbuster needs to get in on. Admittedly, I don't know very much about Movielink - so maybe this is what they're looking at already. And I hope so. But the problem with getting in on this side of things is that other companies - who've never even entered the movie rental business before - might get there first.

If you go to the movielink website there is a link near the top to "watch on your tv". Yeh they have the info for networking your tv to your computer, but your right thats too complicated for most people. But they also have info to "download directly to a set-top box". It looks to me like it's an at&t digital cable service that connects to movielink, but this is still basically what your talking about.

rk237
November 29th, 2007, 12:17 PM
What about a new Blockbuster promotion like this: "Rent two new releases and get your shoes shined."

Redbox would have no answer!

MissHailstorm
November 29th, 2007, 12:22 PM
You have forgotten what I always say, MissH. Revenue doesn't matter, profits matter ;)
Well of course, of course, of course... :D

I've no idea what goes into running a vending machine, in all honesty. But my point was - if I didn't make it very clearly - that Blockbuster shouldn't be fearing this too much. Even if they are very profitable, they aren't really going to take away an awful lot from the stores. So the fact they are on seemingly every street corner, I still don't think there is much to worry about.

As for downloads, I think Apple is leading that market.

Probably. They have the package, really. They create a piece of hardware that's perfect for watching TV shows on, and then provide the medium to get those TV shows. TV shows are doing so well right now because they are small and simple. I can't really see a full-length feature film as being something you want on your iPod, but an episode of South Park to watch on your way to work? Absolutely.

In my eyes, Apple are already light-years ahead in this field, and can easily make the transition to rental-style film downloads, and create the technology to get them straight to the television. Unless Blockbuster can somehow merge with another company on this, I really do see them getting completely squeezed out in this area.

OzMan
November 29th, 2007, 12:23 PM
What about a new Blockbuster promotion like this: "Rent two new releases and get your shoes shined."

Redbox would have no answer!

Actually, that might be one of the better things Redbox could do. Have you never seen those automated shoeshine machines?

Best thing would be to offer a free shoeshine with any rental of Underdog (let's see if anyone gets THAT reference ;) )

OzMan
November 29th, 2007, 12:26 PM
In my eyes, Apple are already light-years ahead in this field, and can easily make the transition to rental-style film downloads, and create the technology to get them straight to the television. Unless Blockbuster can somehow merge with another company on this, I really do see them getting completely squeezed out in this area.

There are still rumours out there that (especially if BBI ends up in Chapter 11), Apple would be interested in buying BBI out and making the stores into a place to come and download movies onto your iPod, take them home, and hook up to the telly.

MissHailstorm
November 29th, 2007, 12:29 PM
There are still rumours out there that (especially if BBI ends up in Chapter 11), Apple would be interested in buying BBI out and making the stores into a place to come and download movies onto your iPod, take them home, and hook up to the telly.

Honestly... sounds like the best idea to me.



Now you know how much I love Blockbuster... :p ;) ... but they SUCK at anything technological. They are always miles behind on the recent developments, and whenever they do move forward, they end up doing it years behind everyone else.

The thought of Blockbuster producing a television set-top box, or designing an interface for television is laughable. This isn't their area at all. Someone else has got to take this on, and if they want to survive post 2012, I think they're gonna need help from one of the big boys.





And why do I get the feeling Oz is spitting out his drink of the thought of Blockbuster still existing in 2012...? :D

CreepyNormal
November 29th, 2007, 01:40 PM
Actually, that might be one of the better things Redbox could do. Have you never seen those automated shoeshine machines?

Best thing would be to offer a free shoeshine with any rental of Underdog (let's see if anyone gets THAT reference ;) )

http://www.toontracker.com/totaltv/shoeshin.jpg

videoslave23
December 3rd, 2007, 07:49 AM
I love Redbox. I've learned that whenever I go into blockbuster on the weekends to rent a new release, I have to get something that came out 2 or 3 weeks ago because all of the new product is checked out. Now that they took away my unlimited exchanges, I may just cancel my online altogether and go 100 % redbox.

All I ever got in the mail were shit movies anyway. I never even watched them.

I'll probably still stop by my local blockbuster for some popcorn or something, just so I can say hi to everyone, though.

NetflixInvestor
January 28th, 2008, 06:34 PM
Update: 6,700 locations and 100M rentals thus far.

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?sec_id=2&&article_ID=11972

KAWLIGA
February 22nd, 2008, 07:04 PM
YOU SHOULD HAVE TRIED "DELIVERY" WHEN I TOLD YOU TO IDIOTS!! It probably wouldn't have worked but damn...what better ideas have come up since I suggested it???...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA