• The Miami Herald, Tuesday, October 23, 2007 11:45 AM

Folks can rent the latest movies releases for $1 a night from movie-dispensing machines at almost 200 Publix stores Miami area. It's part of a pilot program that's touted as a convenient, cheap, no-hassle alternative to Blockbuster's stranglehold over the country's $8.4 billion movie rental business.

Three factors drive the business: price, location and no membership required. The $1 rentals are cheaper than at other outlets. The kiosks are in places most consumers visit as part of their normal routine, primarily grocers. And customers aren't locked into a monthly fee as with subscription services, and need no membership card.

Slightly thinner than a soda vending machine, the red-and-blue kiosks hold about 500 DVDs with as many as 200 titles, primarily the latest releases. With the swipe of a credit card, customers can use the kiosk's touch screen to browse the movie selection. When the rentals are returned, the customer's credit card is charged $1 plus tax for each day the movie was kept.

Read the whole story at The Miami Herald »