New Kiosk Brand Bows Blu-ray Movie Rentals for 89 Cents

23 Mar, 2011 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Public Media Works Inc. has test-launched a new brand of kiosks in Southern California featuring Blu-ray Disc movies for 89 cents (plus tax) each per day when rented in pairs. Single disc rentals in DVD or Blu-ray cost $1 per day.

The first 25 “Spot. The Difference” branded outdoor kiosks (www.spotrentals.com) — manufactured by Toronto-based Signifi Solutions Inc. — were deployed earlier this year in Riverside County.

The kiosks feature two slots — one for rental and return, and the other exclusively for return, which is designed for faster consumer interaction. In addition, the kiosks have capacity for up to 1,400 discs and feature a 32-inch, high-definition flat-screen monitor.

"We believe this launch hails the next generation of entertainment kiosks," said Greg Waring, president and COO of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Public Media Works. "By listening to consumers we've addressed several pitfalls inherent in current kiosk offerings, including low capacity, slow service times and the perception of price gouging for Blu-ray.”

Indeed, the $1.78 daily price for two Blu-ray Discs is 41% cheaper than Redbox and Blockbuster Express, which rent BD titles for $1.50 per day. Blockbuster Express also has been testing $2-per-day price points on select BD titles released on street date.

Waring said the 1,400-disc capacity kiosks allow for greater title depth while reducing the retail footprint to a 3-foot-by-3-foot unit.

“We listened carefully to retailers who host kiosks and addressed their main concern, which was the large size of current outdoor kiosks,” he said.

Public Media Works lost $3.2 million in its most recently reported fiscal period ended Nov. 30, 2010.
 

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