NETFLIX SHARES SOAR 42 PERCENT

Volatile Netflix shares were up a sensational 42.22 percent or $43.60 to $146.86 at the close of trading on the Nasdaq today (Thursday) following a better-than-expected quarterly report. Anders Bylund at the MotleyFool.com said that the through-the-roof rise of the stock represented “the kind of pop you’d expect from a generous buyout, not just a […]

REDBOX LIKELY TO INCREASE ITS PRICES, TOO

Redbox is preparing to up its rental charge by about 25 percent if credit-card companies proceed with plans to increase the fees they charge retailers for debit card transactions less than $10. Home Media magazine reported that Redbox, which currently pays about 5 cents per debit card transaction, would be required to pay about 22 […]

MORE GREEN NEEDED FOR REDBOX RENTALS

Renting videos on the cheap is becoming increasingly problematic. On the heels of Netflix’s recent announcement that it intends to charge customers 60 percent more if they wish to continue to rent physical DVDs and stream other movies online, comes word that Redbox may also up its prices. <I>Home Media </I>magazine reported on its website […]

AMAZON ENTERS STREAMING VIDEO

Playing catch-up with Netflix, Amazon today (Wednesday) debuted a streaming video service that costs about $1.35 per month less than Netflix. To entice new subscribers, the online retailer is charging $79 per year, giving customers free one-month trial subscriptions, and a feature that allows the service to be shared by three family members. But Eric […]

2D HARRY POTTER COULD BE COSTLY TO THEATER OWNERS

While many Harry Potter fans and movie bloggers hailed Warner Bros.’ decision not to convert Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows to 3D, the news came as a blow to exhibitors who have invested heavily in converting theaters to 3D and IMAX and were hoping for a significant boost in revenue after […]

REDBOX TESTING HIGHER PRICES

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 […]

FOUR-WEEK DELAY NO HINDRANCE TO NETFLIX, REDBOX

The four-week delay in releasing new DVDs that studios have imposed on Netflix and Redbox has apparently not hurt either the online or the kiosk operator, according to Eric Wold, an analyst with Merriman Curhan Ford in New York. As reported by Home Media magazine, Wold, in a note to clients, observed that The Blind […]

NETFLIX, REDBOX USERS UNFAZED BY 4-WEEK WAIT

Netflix and Redbox customers do not appear to be overly concerned over Netflix’s deals with 20th Century Fox, Universal, and Warner Bros. that will force them to wait four weeks after the studios’ movies are released on DVD and Blu-ray before they can be rented. According to Eric Wold, an analyst with Merriman Curhan Ford, […]