Audio Video News

You don't need to have a business degree or know how to balance your checkbook to know this is just not a good idea.

Blockbuster is launching a test program of download kiosks in their stores -- customers come in with a portable storage device or player, pay $3.99, and download a movie right to the device. Only a few studios are on board right now, but Blockbuster is hoping to have all of the majors involved soon.

Gotta ask: what are they thinking?

Why would you get in the car and drive all the way to your local Blockbuster store, just to download a movie? Netflix is launching at-home service, and Amazon.com and Apple both offer the same thing. Download a movie without getting off the sofa. Besides, if you're already driving to the Blockbuster store, why not get the DVD? The DVD is 480p, the downloads will be compressed. If you can even get them to play on your home theater system, what will it look like?

According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter, chairman and CEO James Keyes said the company is looking at this "one additional distribution channel as Blockbuster tries to offer entertainment content whenever consumers want in whatever form they want."

Currently, the system only works with Archos devices, which aren't exactly in every household at this point. 

The CEO of Blockbuster is hoping this will take off - literally, with other locations planned for airports and other locations, which actually makes sense. Put movies in places that don't already have them.

What do you think? Would you drive all the way to Blockbuster to get something you can already get at home?-Leslie Shapiro

The Hollywood Reporter