Redbox Agrees to Warner Brothers' Artificial DVD Release Delays

First, it was Netflix--the shady Red Menace--that agreed to comply with Warner Brothers' system of artificial release delays for new releases. Now, Redbox has stupidly jumped on board with this scheme. Once a Warner Brothers movie comes out on DVD, you will have to wait twenty-eight days to rent that DVD from Redbox.

By creating this artificial delay, Warner Brothers is hoping to push you into buying that DVD instead of waiting to rent it. To gain favorable pricing and acquisition terms, Redbox is going along and shafting their customer base in the process. This is the stupidest move Redbox has made so far and raises questions about the wisdom of Redbox management.

The best way for consumers to respond is to not buy Warner Brothers DVDs during the first twenty-eight days after release. Also, consumers should find alternatives to companies like Redbox and Netflix. If Warner Brothers, Redbox, Netflix, et al. get away with this sort of sleazy behavior, we will see only more delays of this sort from more studios and more rental companies. The movie industry and rental companies are testing you to see how much you will take. If you intend to take a stand on this, now is the time. This situation is bound to get much worse if the consumers accept it.