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Redbox Takes on Netflix with Streaming Alternative to Kiosks

by Matt Evans on July 20, 2010 at 04:30 PM

redbox logoThose little vending machines-cum-movie dispensers seen at local grocery stores and corner shops have a virtual future. Redbox is developing an online platform, which aims to put one more nail in Blockbuster's coffin by following in Netflix's footsteps. When asked about the company's expansion to offer an online service, Redbox President Mitch Lowe said, "The way we look at it is, how can it help us deliver to our customers things we can't do in our kiosks?"

Well, kiosks can't deliver content to people unwilling to leave the comfort of their homes. However, the convenience and cost of $1 a night entices more than enough customers to constitute profits for Redbox, as there are over 24,000 kiosks nationwide. Still, as it becomes easier to stream HD content to set-top boxes, entertainment services will have to jump into the online market to survive. Perhaps Redbox will offer membership packages comparable to, if not cheaper than, Netflix's, or allow for non-membership customers to stream any title for kiosk prices. Oh, and maybe Redbox can feature brand-new releases, days before they hit stores! Well, we movie geeks can dream, can't we? [From: Business Week, via: The Consumerist]

Tags: dvd, netflix, online, OnlineVideo, Redbox, RedboxDvds, streaming, StreamingVideo, top

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