Skip to main content

Redbox and 20th Century Fox reach two-year deal, keeping discs alive … for now

redbox
Image used with permission by copyright holder
20th Century Fox fans don’t have to worry about the studio’s movies disappearing from their local Redbox kiosks anytime soon. The companies have renewed their partnership, reaching a new two-year distribution deal that maintains a 28-day window on new Blu-Ray and DVD releases through June 30, 2017. In essence, Redbox will continue to offer Fox titles, but they must still wait 28 days from a film’s release on disc until they make it available for rental.

By working with Redbox, 20th Century Fox has given discs a nod. Mike Dunn, worldwide president of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, shared that packaged media rentals are still a valuable part of home entertainment. “This arrangement with Redbox upholds our retail and rental strategy, while allowing us to continue to deliver the best available movies and TV shows in the market to our customers,” he said in a statement. “We aggressively seek out ways to provide the greatest access to all our content while ensuring it makes the best sense for our business.”

Recommended Videos

The 28-day embargo Redbox has agreed to has become commonplace. It’s one included in the company’s agreements with various other studios, including a deal with Warner Home Video that was renewed in March. By delaying the availability of inexpensive rentals, the studios anticipate that many fans will elect to purchase new releases during the 28-day period. Of course, viewers who don’t want to commit to a purchase can simply wait out the window for rental.

While it’s very rare to find a video rental shop to wander the aisles of anymore, 20th Century Fox’s decision helps ensure that we can still select our evening’s entertainment in disc form, courtesy of Redbox. In spite of the fact that digital content’s popularity is rapidly increasing, the renewed deal indicates that discs are keeping a tight grip on their relevance.

Stephanie Topacio Long
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
Everything coming to PBS in November 2024
Rachel Shenton and Nicholas Ralph in All Creatures Great and Small.

There are no new British dramas premiering on PBS in November, but there's more than enough programming to see you through the penultimate month of 2024. Ken Burns is premiering his new documentary, Leonardo da Vinci, about the world's most famous Renaissance man, artist, and inventor. And PBS has several other documentary and nature programs slated to run throughout the month.

PBS' non-partisan coverage of the 2024 presidential election will culminate on Tuesday, November 5. But if you're really missing your British dramas, there are encore presentations of All Creatures Great & Small and Call the Midwife coming as well.

Read more
What’s new on Amazon Prime Video in November 2024
A man stands in front of a caution sign.

James Patterson's Alex Cross character is getting a third chance in live-action this month on Amazon Prime Video. Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry have previously portrayed the titular detective character. Now, Black Adam's Aldis Hodge steps into the role. The new Cross series is Prime Video's biggest debut in November, but far from the only noteworthy addition. There are a lot of new additions to the streamer's movie lineup, including The Godfather trilogy, Silver Linings Playbook, and the unconventional vampire film Abigail.

Additionally, Prime Video is rebooting Cruel Intentions as a drama series, which has the potential to be another big hit for the streamer. And aside from Die Hard, there are only a handful of Christmas titles coming this month. We can appreciate a little restraint, especially since December will likely be a very different story.

Read more
What’s new on Disney+ in November 2024
A masked Ryan Reynolds covers his mouth as Hugh Jackman glowers in a still from the movie "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Thanks to Disney's big summer at the box office, Disney+ gets to bring home the second-highest-grossing movie of the year in November. Deadpool & Wolverine is making its streaming debut on November 12, but it's not the only noteworthy new addition to Disney+. If you've ever loved the Star Wars and Indiana Jones themes of John Williams, then you should watch the new documentary Music By John Williams, which is available on Disney+ as of November 1.

A really charming Christmas-related animated short, An Almost Christmas Story, is arriving on November 15, while Beatles '64 adds yet another Beatlemania documentary to Disney+ on November 29. On that same date, Disney is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of Mary Poppins this month by releasing a special documentary about one of Walt Disney's personal favorite films. And finally, Disney gets to capitalize on the release of Wicked by bringing Oz the Great and Powerful to Disney+ near the end of November.

Read more