BLOCKBUSTER TRIES ANOTHER PRICING SYSTEM

Bankrupt Blockbuster, struggling to find a way to compete effectively against Netflix and Redbox, has unveiled new pricing options for in-store rentals. They include three-day rentals of “just arrived” DVD and Blu-ray titles for $4.99 and three-day rentals of catalog DVDs for 99 cents. “Just arrived” releases are defined as any title that has been available for less than six weeks. Yet another option allows Blockbuster Rewards members ($15 membership fee) to rent “new release” titles — DVDs and Blu-ray Discs that have been in release at least six weeks — for $2.99 for three days. Home Media magazine quoted Blockbuster representative Patty Sullivan as saying, “Blockbuster wants to continue to be a competitive force in the media business. … These terms will simplify the rental experience and reestablish the value of renting. It will improve product availability as well.”