In an industry that has at least one studio forcing consumers to buy DVDs before getting the chance to rent them, Lionsgate is doing the opposite. Today, Lionsgate released the film Abduction on Facebook. Today also marks the film’s DVD and Blu-ray release.

Movie studios are looking into new business models just as book publishers and music labels have done. One new method will be tested by Universal Pictures and Comcast in November. Comcast customers in Portland and Atlanta will be able to rent the upcoming film Tower Heist for $60 while it’s still in theaters.

Netflix has been causing some bitter feelings lately among its customers. First Netflix redesigned its website much to the dismay of its users. Now they’ve dropped another bomb by announcing that it will eliminate the DVD rental and streaming combo subscription. Starting in September (for existing subscribers), customers who want both services will pay $15.98 a month. That’s an increase of about 60%. So why did Netflix decide to do this?

As far as rumors go, you can take this one with as much salt as you’d like. Yesterday we told you about a new $7.99 Netflix subscription that offers unlimited DVD rentals for a full month. At the time, this new plan seemed reasonable. It’s the same amount Netflix charges for unlimited streaming. Today, a new rumor says Netflix will increase the monthly price for those who want to stream and rent movies at the same time.

Following its acquisition by Dish Network, Blockbuster announced that it is lowering the prices for rentals starting today. It’s also having a special promotion in which customers can rent an unlimited amount of movies for only $2.99 until July 4.

The Digital Entertainment Group released a report today detailing home entertainment expenditures in the Unites States for the first quarter of 2011. Based on this report, it appears as if traditional video rental establishments are losing a lot of business to alternative business models. Blu-ray adaptation is also on the rise.

Redbox, the vending machines that currently rent movies for $1 per day, announced today that the company will begin rolling out video game rentals to more than 21,000 machines starting June 17. The movies will rent for $2 per night. Redbox had been testing video game rentals at 5,000 locations over the past two years. more »

Redbox has a special offer for Thursday (April 14, 2011) only. Redbox is cutting the price for renting a DVD or Blu-ray in half for the first night’s rental. DVDs are $0.50 and Blu-rays are $1. Of course, with an offer such as this, there are some fine print details you should be aware of.

The pricing models that were put in place by video stores have died. Gone are the likes of Blockbuster and Hollywood video. Services such as Netflix, Hulu and others provide access to thousands of movies and television shows for the price of a couple new rentals from video stores of the past. Redbox has taken up the task of providing customers with DVDs and Blu-rays in popular locations such as McDonalds and Walmart. Spot is the new kid on the block, and it’s undercutting Redbox’s prices.

Netflix made news last week when CEO Reed Hastings declared, “In fact, by every measure, we are now primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail”. Today, Robert Nelson reported Netflix is doing more pricing tests that will probably lead to a higher price for all customers. However, I’ve read through the Q3 report and more »