Redbox is refusing to abide by Warner Bros.' new policy that all DVD rental outlets wait 56 days from the time the disc goes on sale at retail outlets Wal-Mart and Best Buy before consumers can rent them, the Los Angeles Times reported. The policy doubles the current 28-day waiting period.

Executives at the Time Warner Inc.-owned studio previously said they were seeking a longer delay to boost DVD sales and video-on-demand.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Netflix has agreed to abide by the delay, but
Blockbuster and Redbox will not. The companies that won't delay won't be able to get discs directly from Warner Bros. and will have to buy them in bulk from retail stores.

Universal Pictures may follow in Warner Bros.' footsteps. The Los Angeles Times reported that Universal's agreements with Redbox and Netflix, that also have a 28-day waiting period, expire in April.

 

 

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Reach executive producer Agnus Dei Farrant here.