Blockbuster in Partnership to Launch DVD Vending Kiosks

DALLAS/DAYTON, August 5:
NCR Corporation, a provider of self-service and assisted-service technology,
has aligned with Blockbuster to develop DVD vending kiosks in a pilot program
that could potentially lead to a national rollout of thousands of units.

Fifty Blockbuster-branded
kiosks will be launched in the third quarter of this year, with all units
expected to be installed by year’s end. Initially, the machines will offer DVD
rentals, with plans for future applications such as digital downloads and sales
of DVDs and video games. Locations for the first units have not been announced.

Earlier this year, the
companies secured an agreement to test digital movie downloading kiosks in
select Blockbuster locations, the first of which are expected to be installed
in two Dallas stores this summer.

"With NCR's advanced
technology, these machines will dispense a wide array of DVDs and could offer
digital downloading in the future, all under the Blockbuster brand," said
Jim Keyes, Blockbuster’s chairman and CEO. "This initial rollout provides
consumers increasingly convenient access to their favorite movies and is one
more step in the fulfillment of our mission to transform Blockbuster into a
multichannel provider of media entertainment."

"This alliance with
Blockbuster is an exciting step for NCR as we pursue our mission of becoming
the leader in the market for entertainment self-service solutions," added
Bill Nuti, NCR’s chairman and CEO. "Looking beyond this initial
deployment, our mutual goal is to have 10,000 kiosks installed within 18
months. We are energized and thrilled to be such an integral part of
Blockbuster's strategy for providing consumers with greater choice and
convenience."

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski