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DVDPlay Goes Blu
May 29, 2008

In a competitive strike against dominant kiosk-er Redbox, DVDPlay will be stocking Blu-ray titles starting in June.
DVDPlay, whose rental machines are located primarily in grocers, will become the first disc rental machine company to offer Blu-ray. The company will be renting BD discs for $1.49, the same as what it charges for standard DVD rentals.
So far Sony titles will be included in the BD batch, such as Untraceable and Men in Black starting June 10. Its not clear what other studios are contributing offerings at this point.
The BD move should help distinguish DVDPlay from rivals. Redbox arguably offers the better deal of $1 rentals per night at more nationwide locations.
In a press release, DVDPlay chairman and CEO Chuck Berger said, "DVDPlay is thrilled to be the first in the kiosk space to offer Blu-ray Discs. The focus of this strategic decision is to prepare for the long term success and sustainability of the kiosk and ultimately give customers what they want."
Sony also is cheering on Blu-ray at the company.
The studio's Marshall Forster added, "Rental kiosks are one of the fastest growing segments in the business, and we are aware more and more movies are being rented this way."

Posted by Susanne Ault on May 29, 2008 | Comments (0)