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Blockbuster tries in-store movie kiosks

Posted May 29 2008, 01:41 PM by Kim Peterson
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Blockbuster will introduce new dust collectors in-store kiosks that let customers download movies directly to media players. But they don't work with the iPod. Those kiosks will get about as much attention in the store as a "You, Me and Dupree " DVD.

Ratcheting up the odds of disaster is the fact that Blockbuster will have limited movies to offer at the kiosks. The company is still negotiating with Hollywood about licensing films for the trial. Blockbuster shares are down slightly today to $3.28.

The kiosks are only going to a couple stores in Dallas and will only work with devices made by Archos. Eventually, Blockbuster wants to add more stores and device partners and cut the downloading time to 30 seconds. CEO James Keyes suggested to reporters that the kiosks might one day have a monthly subscription fee coupled with a free device give-away.

Blockbuster should have started the trial at the one place it could actually work: the airport. But Keyes said an airport rollout is years away, and only then if the in-store trial is successful. 

Related reading:

Circuit City starts taking Blockbuster seriously

Blockbuster price hike will send customers packing

Blockbuster's set-top box plans

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Comments

 

Not everyone sucks on Idiot Pod juice

Mucklehead (Posted 05.29.08 2:21 PM) Report Abuse

Why would someone want to drive to Blockbuster to download a movie when then can do it right from home for probably half the price blockbuster is going to charge? Blockbuster needs to cut the lifeline!!!!Either cut their DVD rental price or close your doors. I dont understand how they survive? Horrible customer service and cannot compete with Netflix.

Mirvolution (Posted 05.30.08 9:09 AM) Report Abuse

It's a good idea, I'd buy it...But who is Archos?? What do they make? Why not start with Ipod and work down??  

OrlandoFl (Posted 05.30.08 9:10 AM) Report Abuse

In my younger days I spent a lot of time travelling about the world on business, which meant a lot of hours sitting and pacing in airports often for hours at a time.  I thought then how nice it would be to have a place where you could sit in a soft chair and pass the time watching a film.

yaaaahn (Posted 05.30.08 9:14 AM) Report Abuse

They'd be better off pissing in the wind than creating something like this. People own their own kiosks...their called PCs, and guess what - they sync up to their portable devices as well! Oh, and do they know that portable devices can now download movies directly? People don't want to get off their butts to rent a movie, let alone get into a car and drive to a Blockbuster kiosk. And that's not to mention that Redbox already has a much more practical AND cheaper kiosk solution that is eating into Blockbuster's profits. Once again Blockbuster finds themselves trying to break into a market that has been substantially claimed (just like with their mail service).

iTunesLover (Posted 05.30.08 9:24 AM) Report Abuse

But MOST do and since MOST do, that is where MOST of the money is - and that is all that matters with the bottom line.

iPods Rule (Posted 05.30.08 9:24 AM) Report Abuse

Mucklehead, you are correct, not everyone owns an Ipod, however if you were in business, and your new business idea was to "rent" or "sell" downloads from a kiosk to the masses. Would you not first address the masses that own the ipod? Even if you as a business owner were a apple hater, at some point, would not the "smart" business decision need to be made where you have the most opportunity as success? It seems like blockbuster once again is being led by a group that is out of touch with reality, how long before we see them filing bankruptcy....

Dealmaker (Posted 05.30.08 9:47 AM) Report Abuse

Anyone else sick of hearing about Blockbuster? Just die already.

Tim Polk (Posted 05.30.08 9:50 AM) Report Abuse

i used to be a member of blockbuster online, but they raised their price and i cancelled and never looked back.  now i go to redbox, they have movies for 1dollar.

rick (Posted 05.30.08 10:03 AM) Report Abuse

With the $$ of the gas to drive to the kiosk and the $$ to download the movie, we can just buy the fricken DVD!!

Makes more CENTS (Posted 05.30.08 10:12 AM) Report Abuse

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