Blockbuster to test in-store movie downloads

Blockbuster will soon launch a pilot program of in-store movie downloads, says the company's CEO. James Keyes revealed the information at an annual shareholder meeting Wednesday, noting that a trial will take place sometime within the next month, and involve store visitors inserting a form portable device into a kiosk, and copying movies in a process that should take approximately two minutes. At present the major issue is said to be studio support, as Blockbuster is still negotiating for available content.

"We'd love to have everybody," Keyes told reporters in a session after the meeting. The executive also admits that public demand for movie downloads remains comparatively low, and if the pilot succeeds, kiosks will be only one more means of getting films to customers.

Regarding details of the kiosks, Keyes says shoppers should be able to search and browse a store's titles, view trailers, and either buy or rent a movie with a credit card or a special Blockbuster card. Subscriptions may be another possibility, and Keyes says he can imagine people paying approximately $10 per month, and receiving the download device for free. Trial devices will be Archos players, but others may be added over time.

If the kiosks prove profitable they may eventually open up outside normal Blockbuster stores, in locations such as airports.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: video, Archos, rentals, Blockbuster