What is blockbuster express

Partnering with several regionally admired chains such as Publix, Blockbuster Express machines were often at a disadvantage. While these chains were well shopped, Express machines were often located inside stores and thus were unavailable after closing hours. To make matters worse these closing hours varied by day and location. Soon after commencing operations, Blockbuster Express began using price-tiers. The tiers were based on the recent release dates of new movies, some of which were short-term exclusives, under contract to Blockbuster.

Blockbuster worked off contracts with Hollywood studios to preempt competitors from having first dibs on new studio releases. Blockbuster happily passed the costs of these contracts onto its public. While competitors resented these deals, Redbox sat back and enjoyed the price differentials which Blockbuster haphazardly employed.

Many of these releases were not under the exclusive contract arrangement and could be obtained at a Redbox for a dollar while a nearby Blockbuster Express charged two to three times more. This quickly diminished the Blockbuster Express reputation along with the Blockbuster brand. Finally in February, it was announced that Redbox would acquire Blockbuster Express and all of its existing machines. The retailer currently boasts over 43, locations and is growing.

As an add-on, video games have become a vital part of its small box revenues. And it even offers series produced by the likes of Netflix. Currently, the company is exploring a streaming video service through Verizon Wireless, called Redbox Instant.

Last year Redbox unveiled a plan to offer tickets to concerts and sporting events to compete with more expensive services such as Ticketmaster. Design Forget wind turbines. Start harnessing the tides for energy Co. Design Why fashion brands are collaborating with dead midcentury architects Co.

Design The brilliant ways big business is pushing its climate agenda during COP Work Life Work Life A 5-point agenda to help galvanize a team of new hires Work Life Why leaders need to resist the urge to fix everything Work Life A once-dependable team is letting me down at a crucial time. How do I fix this? Two weeks ago, during Netflix's conference call with analysts to discuss the company's fourth-quarter earnings report, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said: "We expect DVD subscribers to decline steadily every quarter, forever.

The way Netflix tells it, the public has lost interest in DVDs. He cancelled the plan when Netflix subscribers began dropping the service in disgust and when the company's stock began to plummet. The episode didn't stop him from declaring repeatedly that streaming video over the Web is the future of home-video entertainment. Some analysts and Netflix critics have cautioned that plenty of people still want DVDs and argue plenty of profit can be found in renting them.

Of course, Redbox announced today that the company is also joining forces with Verizon to create an on-demand video streaming service similar to Netflix's service. Since the companies were offered few details about the startup, it's hard to say what it's chances might be. Regardless, the joint venture has plenty of ground to make up. Netflix is in command of the Web-streaming sector and Hastings needs the DVD to finally get out of his way.

If more consumers give up on DVDs and opt for Internet streaming, then at this point Hastings can be confident that they will choose his service. None of the competing services are accessible on as many devices. His service is available on hundreds of Web-connected TVs, phones, video game consoles, and set-top boxes.

As for price, none of Netflix's competitors can offer as much content for as little money--although Amazon is getting closer.