Disney at war with Redbox over new DVD rental policy
“John Carter’s” journey into Redbox kiosks may be as complicated as a flight to Mars.
Walt Disney Studios has decided to not sell its DVDs to any rental outlets, including Redbox, Netflix and Blockbuster, until 28 days after they go on sale.
Disney previously offered its DVDs to Redbox the same day they went on sale at retail stores and online.
The policy change began with the studio’s release of the Japanese animation movie “The Secret World of Arrietty” on May 22, a studio spokeswoman confirmed, but has gained widespread notice this week as it is applying to the high-profile flop “John Carter.”
Redbox is retaliating by stocking its machines with copies of “John Carter” that it purchaes at retail stores, setting up the same type of dispute with Disney that it is already engaged in withWarner Bros.
“We will be sourcing ‘John Carter’ through alternative means,” a Redbox spokeswoman confirmed.
-- Ben Fritz, Los Angeles Times