Blockbuster drops rental prices to fend off Netflix, iTunes
updated 01:00 pm EDT, Fri May 27, 2011
Blockbuster drops in-store DVD rental prices
Blockbuster, which recently sold to Dish, has now revealed that it has lowered retail, in-store rental prices of DVDs as of May 27. Old titles will cost 99 cents per day, new releases have dropped to $1.99 for the first day, and just-released films now cost $2.99. Each additional day costs 99 cents.
For a limited time, the rental giant has also introduced an unlimited movie rental plan. This involves renting a $2.99 DVD and a second, $1.99 new release one for no charge. Returning the DVD the next day allows them to take out another free rental. This promotion lasts until July 4.
These steps should help Blockbuster more effectively compete against more convenient ways of accessing movies, such as those offered by Redbox, Netflix and iTunes, among others. Both mail-in rentals and online streaming have typically been much cheaper and still have advantages, such as dodging the need to go to a store and a deeper catalog. [via SlashGear]
