While many consumers have already made the switch towards digital rentals and downloads (in terms of movies) thanks to services like Netflix some still prefer the old fashioned physical media. For folks like this, there are obviously video rental stores all over the place but thanks to Redbox, the process is made even easier.
Most of you are probably already familiar with Redbox but for those of you who aren’t, it is literally a movie vending machine – and nothing more. It may sound a bit silly, but the company has announced today that the service has been hugely successful going on record as saying they have just passed the 1 billion rental mark.
To celebrate this amazing achievement, Redbox will be holding a series of giveaways. First off, they will be placing 50 codes on DVDs in various Redbox machines around the US that, when entered online, will net lucky consumers a $500 gift card.
Even better, one grand prize winner will recieve a Blu-ray player, surround sound system, a few moivies and a 52-inch HDTV from Sony. Sounds like a damn good deal to me.
Hit the jump for more details in the press release.
Movie Milestone: Redbox Rents One Billionth Movie
Redbox Thanks Consumers with “Thanks A Billion” Celebration
OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ – Redbox, the popular DVD rental kiosk provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTR), reached a major movie milestone today with the rental of its one billionth movie. “Clash of the Titans,” rented from a redbox® location in Tampa, Florida, was the one billionth movie rented. The milestone occurs only six years after the popular red kiosks first debuted in Denver, Colo. Today, redbox has more than 24,000 convenient locations nationwide.
“One billion rentals is an incredible milestone as redbox has quickly become the local video store for millions of consumers nationwide,” said Mitch Lowe, president, redbox. “Our popularity is a testament to our consumers’ loyalty and our steadfast commitment to making movie rentals affordable and convenient for our consumers.”
Thanks a Billion Celebration
To celebrate its one billionth rental, redbox has launched the “Thanks a Billion” celebration. The nationwide event thanks redbox renters with a free one-night movie rental and chances to win premium prizes. Throughout the month of September, eligible redbox renters can enter the unique DVD code found on their redbox rental at redbox.com/thanks to receive a promotional code good for a free, one-night rental. Renters also will be entered to win the “Thanks a Billion” grand prize – a choice between a trip to the People’s Choice Awards® or a Sony® Home Entertainment Theatre System. The nationwide “Thanks a Billion” celebration runs from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, 2010. Log on to redbox.com/thanks for complete rules and details*, as well as complete odds of winning and prize descriptions.
Averaging more than 9.5 million rentals a week, redbox makes renting and returning new release DVDs and Blu-ray Discs® easy for consumers. The rent and return anywhere® policy lets consumers return movies to any of the more than 24,000 locations nationwide. Each fully automated redbox kiosk holds 630 discs, representing up to 200 titles. Consumers simply use a touch screen to select their favorite movies, swipe a valid credit or debit card and go. For added convenience, consumers can visit www.redbox.com to reserve their movies online or via the iPhone® app from redbox.
About Redbox
Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR), offers new release DVD and Blu-ray Disc rentals through its network of conveniently located, self-service kiosks. Redbox has rented more than one billion movies and is available at approximately 24,000 locations nationwide, including select McDonald’s restaurants, leading grocery, drug and convenience stores, select Walmart locations and Walgreens locations in select markets. For more information, visit www.redbox.com.
* No purchase necessary and void where prohibited. The “Thanks a Billion” celebration is subject to Official Rules. Contest Sponsor: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC 1 Tower Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.