We have been following this concept for quite some time now. In the United States, McDonalds has persued using their installed base of fast food restaraunts as the links in a chain for the distribution of a new commodity-movies. Since a year or two ago, they have installed in certain test markets, automated, credit card fed kiosks from Redbox. These machines let customers rent discs for $1 a day.The idea is very intriguing, in that you can return the movie to a different location. Therefore, if you are on the road, you can rent a movie and then just dump it off at a completely different McDonalds. The machines must be a success, because as of this week, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, becomes the fifth market where consumers can rent DVDs, at 145 sites there. In addition, Houston, Texas, is scheduled for 181 machines by July 1.
|
"This will be consistent in every market that we launch over the summer -- the first rental is on us," said Redbox spokesman Greg Waring. The company plans to have 1,200 kiosks in 10 markets by the end of this year, in McDonald's restaurants and at grocers. The system melds the best elements of high- and low-tech, combining the immediacy of store rentals with the information and marketing of online services. Customers can see what's available and check for special offers online at Redbox. They can find locations, get maps and driving directions and, through a partnership with Yahoo, link to movie reviews. They can sign up for special offers by e-mail. |
Now, I don't intend to start eating at McDonalds as I need to watch my waistline, but I do have to compliment them for enhancing their business locations with such an easy and unobtrusive perk. This 1 dollar a day price is a good deal, especially when some people are there anyway. You could have had a long day at work, don't want to fix dinner and you can score a movie while you are waiting. Just one thing, don't forget to return these discs, as each day after you fail to do so, it's an additional dollar plus tax, up to 25 dollars, and then you own it.
You can see a list of titles on this Redbox page, new releases appear every Tuesday. If you live in any of the 6 test markets you can check for special offers here. The test markets are shown on the map on this same page.
Source: Wired
