Coinstar buys out Redbox, will test higher Blu-ray rental prices

[xtop]

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/18...rental-prices/

Redbox, the company made famous by its red movie rental kiosks, has been completely bought out by its majority owner: Coinstar. The announcement was made during the outfit's Q4 earnings call, and it's expected that the buyout was made in order for Coinstar to wallow alone in the windfall profits that are expected over the next few years. Speaking of profits, we're also being told that Redbox will start testing higher rental prices for BDs, much like Netflix has done, but obviously on a per-rental basis. There's been no word yet on just how high they'll push the Blu-ray rates above the standard $1, but you know you'll just suck it up and pay it. Not like you're reverting to DVD now, right?

well that sucks, i don't even have any redboxes with blu-rays in them yet.

[atomik kinder]

I haven't checked any of them around here since I use Netflix. I wonder if you will have the choice of getting a voucher or something for renting movies like you can get gift certificates for Amazon. Do you have to have a credit card registered with them in case you don't return the movie? I haven't used them so I am not exactly sure how it works. Still, $1 is cheap compared to $5 or $6 at Blockbuster. Even if the BD rentals are $2 it might still be worth it.

[MarkJ801]

That's stupid. They better still have the codes for free rentals, or I will quit using it.

[Clark Kent]

Redbox is a great service, but this does not auger well for the future of the product. I imagine Coinstar will raise rates aggressively since they have very little competition in that rental niche.