Blockbuster Changes In-Store Pricing – Adds New Movies to Kiosks

The tiered pricing is confusing at best, but where else are you going to go for new release Blu-ray rentals?

It's hard to decide what to think about Blockbuster. The company has a lot of clout, and they make good decisions on occasion. Then they go and do something that seems boneheaded again. Today they did both.

The good decision is, of course, trying out new release movies in kiosks. The current test pricing for DVDs is $2.99 for the first night and $1 a night after that. Blu-rays will be tested at $3.99 for the first night with the same $1 a night fee afterwards.

Over 900 kiosks are currently being tested in the San Francisco, Phoenix, Miami, and Atlanta areas.

The boneheaded decision is a return to tiered pricing in stores, which makes the rental situation confusing again. Titles labeled as "Just Arrived" will run $4.99 for three days, but don't get that mixed up with "New Release" titles, which run $2.99.

Also on the menu are "Top Picks" titles that you can rent for $2.99. Everything else will be $0.99 for three days.

Source: Home Media Magazine

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