The pilot program, which will be launched during the second quarter, will allow select Blockbuster Total Access online customers to rent video games, as well as movies, through the mail as part of their subscription plan. With a goal of having the offering available nationally in the second half of the year, the company is launching the pilot program as the first step in its plan to make Blockbuster Total Access the only online rental service offering both movies and games.
"We already rent more video games than any other company, store-based or online, in the nation, so we know our core customer loves games as well as movies," said Bob Barr, Vice President and General Manager of blockbuster.com. "With this pilot program, we're laying the groundwork for offering Blockbuster Total Access customers easy online access to the movies and games they want, through an integrated subscription offering. Plus, according to their plan, they'll continue to be able to exchange their by-mail rentals both for free in-store movies as well as half-price in-store game rentals. A combination video game and movie online offering -- with in-store exchange privileges -- is a tremendous value and convenience offering not available through anyone other than Blockbuster."
In addition to more than 90,000 movie titles to choose from, Blockbuster Total Access subscribers in the pilot program will have the option of selecting from game titles across major platforms - including Wii, PS2, PS3, Xbox and Xbox 360. Participating subscribers will also continue to have the same subscription benefits as they currently do, plus the added benefit of video game availability.
Blockbuster Total Access offers online DVD rentals from a library of more than 90,000 via free shipping, plus the convenience of free in-store exchanges at thousands of participating Blockbuster store locations nationwide. Subscribers to the program all receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of previously viewed DVDs at blockbuster.com. By-mail-only plans are also available, starting as low as $3.99 a month.