From TMP:
So it's finally happened. After months of waiting, we'll finally get to here more about Redbox's plans to move into the streaming/subscription service game. It was only a matter of time before Redbox, arguably Netflix's biggest competitor, moved into the online market. Now Redbox finally has, and has brought on a friend to help them: the biggest cell phone company in the United States of America—Verizon Wireless.
Here at B-TEN we absolutely love the opportunities we get to talk to members of the gaming community about what matters most to our readers. This week I got the opportunity to briefly talk to Joel Kesnick, Redbox Vice President and Head of Gaming, about Wii U. Although Redbox is not currently carrying PS4, Xbox One or Wii U games nationwide just yet, our discussion focused on Wii U. I want to thank Mr. Kesnick for giving me the time out of his busy schedule to talk briefly.
Redbox Instant by Verizon is the newest of arrivals into the streaming video arena. Most people are well familiar with the RedBox brand, having seen or rented movies or games from one of it’s over 43,000 kiosks, but will that be enough to ensure success? Only time will tell.
Triverse writes, "Additional bits of information that can be gleaned from the press release, that Redbox Instant by Verizon made available, includes some hardware that we can expect to see an App of some sort made available for. Namely, LG Smart TV and Blu-ray Players, Samsung Blu-ray Players and Televisions with SmartHub(TM), iOS (a given) and Android (again, a given). What is mysteriously left out here is consoles of any kind – no mention of Xbox 360, Playstation 3 or either the Nintendo Wii or Wii U which recently launched and is setting sales records. Could these unmentioned platforms be in the planning stages or are they waiting for official approval by the manufacturers before making public any support for any particular console?"
What I don't understand is why VuDu or any of those other video services do not lower their price to compete with Red Box?
If RedBox can charge $1.20 for a 1 day rental and make a profit why do companies like VuDu charge $3.99?
If I could rent on VuDu on my Xbox 360 for say $2 (or less), I would much rather do that than drive to a Red Box.
The reason I say $1.99 because I know red box makes extra cash off people that bring their DVD in a day late. But red box also has a higher operating cost: Cost of kiosk, cost to load them with dvds, cost to pay someone to change the ads on them, cost for damaged disc, cost to pay location to have kiosk there etc.
Because ppl are lazy enough to pay for that Amount.I for one do rent Movies of vudu or the psn Store and I believe they're many out there like me.
A good reason to that is Hollywood itself. Redbox isn't allowed to offer a lot of movies for at least 2 or 3 months after DVD release. The reason being companies like FOX, WB, etc... all got mad at the prices. 99 cents a day, people rather rent the movie the go buy it.
So the companies wanted Redbox to raise prices and pay more for the movie. Redbox said no, and now they are stuck waiting. I believe Sony and Disney have agreements again.
If you ask me, other companies are stuck in the same situation. They lower prices and it will be against the rules and they get in trouble. It's the only reason why I can see EVERY single digital company offering things at the same exact prices....
You have to remember places like PSN get their prices from the companies, they don't price it themselves.
Gosh darn. This seems like something I'd have to get if it comes to gaming consoles.
If it had movies that were dvd releases streamed like amazing spider man id do it but i already have netflix and all i need to do is wait
So far, they are keeping mum on what movies will be available. It is rather weird, I mean, you would think they would be hyping that aspect- pushing the content to get more interest growing. They are not though and that worries me.
Watch out Netflix! I'm hoping this takes off because having 1 company doing streaming and controlling the prices sucks. The more options we have the cheaper the price and harder they'll fight to gain our business.
Amazon is jumping in further too.
Also Redbox just bought out Blockbuster Kiosks, so they are obviously on the hunt.