Blockbuster Inc. has rolled out new tiered in-store pricing for movies. Renting a "Just arrived" title (less than six weeks in release) will cost $4.99 for three days; "new releases" (in circulation at least six weeks) will go for $2.99 for three days. "Top Picks" (the most frequently rented movies among Blockbuster Rewards members) titles will also cost $2.99 to rent.
The Rewards program, which requires a one-time $15 membership fee, will offer its users a free "top pick" rental (maximum two per month) with the rental of either a "new release" or "just arrived" title.
This is the second rental period reduction for Blockbuster, which used to be seven days, later cut to five (see Blu-ray.com,
March 1).
"Blockbuster wants to continue to be a competitive force in the media business," said representative Patty Sullivan. "These terms will simplify the rental experience and re-establish the value of renting. It will improve product availability as well."
Sullivan added that Blockbuster By Mail has no plans to raise rates on monthly subscriptions as Netflix recently did.
Update
A forum member who works at Blockbuster has clarified some of the terms of the program. You get a free "Top Pick" or "Value DVD" with any rental (Just Arrived, New Release, Top Pick, video game) and you can do it an unlimited number of times. What has a limit of two per month is the Free Rental (which can be anything in the store, including a video game) which you earn after you have five paid rentals in the month.