Kiosk operator Redbox is conducting tests in at least five markets to determine customers' interest in videogame and Blu-ray rentals and whether they would be willing to pay more than the current $1.00 per night for DVD rentals, according to published reports. The Hollywood Reporter said today that the Coinstar-operated video rental company has raised rental prices to $1.50 in Albuquerque, $1.25 in Modesto, CA, and San Diego, $1.15 in Spokane and Miami/West Palm Beach. In its videogame test, the company is charging $2.00 per night, but it is not offering them across all game platforms. Merriman Curhan Ford analyst Eric Wold expressed disappointment on Wednesday that the number of titles available at Redbox's trials in Reno, Wilmington, DE, and Austin were so limited. Said Wold "We had hoped to see a larger selection initially when consumers are likely to form initial impressions of the service and determine whether or not they will return at a later date."

01/07/2010