Redbox is taking another shot at a streaming video service with the launch of its new transactional video platform that will allow customers to rent and buy movies from home.
Redbox on Demand will offer 48-hour rentals starting at $3.99 and electronic sell-through transactions for $9.99. The company said it will offer many of the same new-release movies available at Redbox kiosks, along with an expanded library of older movies and TV shows for rental or purchase on demand.
The service, which is still in beta, is available via redbox.com, the Redbox app for Android and iOS-enabled devices, as well as on Apple TV, Chromecast, and LG and Samsung smart TVs.
"Redbox customers have asked, and today we're delivering an On Demand option that offers them the best of both the physical and digital worlds," said Galen Smith, CEO of Redbox, in a statement. "Redbox provides our customers with choice – the value they want and expect from our kiosks, the instant gratification of On Demand rentals and purchases, and the availability of new-release content, all without monthly subscription fees."
Instead of going up against subscription streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Netflix—all with substantial on-demand libraries—Redbox on Demand will be competing with other transactional VOD services like Apple iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Video and Vudu.
RELATED: Redbox OTT streaming flickers back to life
In 2012, Redbox teamed with Verizon to launch Redbox Instant by Verizon, a streaming video service built to take on other SVODs like Netflix. But by 2014, the companies pulled the plug on the service.
“The service is shutting down because it was not as successful as we hoped it would be,” the companies said in a notice. “We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you for giving us the opportunity to entertain you.”
Last year, Redbox began testing it transactional service.