Redbox officially launching game rentals June 17
Refrigerator-sized movie rental kiosk operator Redbox began testing video game rentals nearly two years ago, but they'll be available at more than 21,000 locations nationwide starting on June 17, 2011. The test market expanded from 5,000 locations last October.
In announcing the launch date, the company confirmed that its kiosks will offer games for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii covering "top releases to popular family and kids titles." Game rentals will run $2 a day, compared to $1 for DVD and $1.50 for Blu-ray movie rentals. By comparison, brick-and-mortar rental chain Blockbuster offers five-day rentals for $8.99 per game and by-mail rental service GameFly lets its users check out two games at a time for a $22.95 monthly subscription fee.
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GAME ON! REDBOX ANNOUNCES IT WILL OFFER VIDEO GAME RENTALS NATIONWIDE THIS JUNE
April 28, 2011 –Redbox, America's movie rental destination, today announced it will offer video game rentals at more than 21,000 redbox locations nationwide beginning June 17, 2011. Top video games will join new release movies for only $2 a day complementing $1 DVD and $1.50 Blu-ray™ daily rental prices. The announcement follows a test of video game rentals in select U.S. markets that began in August 2009.
"Redbox will increase consumers' access to video game rentals by leveraging our incredible technology and business model to keep rental prices low for consumers," said Mitch Lowe, president, redbox. "With more than 21,000 redbox locations slated to feature video game rentals alongside movies this June, redbox will be the one-stop shop for entertainment."
Redbox, a Coinstar, Inc. brand, has tested video game rentals alongside movies at 5,000 redbox locations. "Redbox has rented more than one million video games in less than two years at these locations, underscoring the popularity of video game play in America," added Lowe.
Today, nearly 64 percent* of people in the United States own a game console.
Upon launch, redbox will feature games across the three major console platforms: PLAYSTATION® 3, Nintendo Wii™ and Xbox 360®. Video game titles will range from top releases to popular family and kids titles.
"Redbox will make discovering the latest games as easy as a trip to the local grocery, convenience or drug store," said Joel Resnik, vice president, games, redbox.
About Redbox
Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR), offers new release DVD and Blu-ray Disc rentals through its network of conveniently located, self-service kiosks. Redbox has rented more than one billion movies and is available at more than 27,000 locations nationwide, including select McDonald's restaurants, leading grocery, drug and convenience stores, select Walmart locations and Walgreens locations in select markets. For more information, visit www.redbox.com.
