Redbox

Corporate brand

Redbox was an American automated video-rental and streaming-media company best known for its red DVD and Blu-ray kiosks.

Last updated August 31, 2026

AI crawler reads

4requests

1companies

Anthropic4

Profile: 2
Controversies: 2
JSON · MD: 0

First read: Nov 4, 2026
Latest read: Nov 4, 2026

From this site's server log

Overview

Redbox was an American entertainment-rental company built around automated kiosks that rented and sold DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Its machines were commonly placed at supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores and other high-traffic retail locations, offering consumers a low-cost alternative to video-rental stores and subscription services. The company later added video-game rentals, transactional video-on-demand, advertising-supported streaming television, free live television channels and a small content-production operation. The business originated inside McDonald's as Project 361, an initiative intended to explore automated retail formats. Early machines sold a variety of products under the TikTok Easyshops name, but McDonald's abandoned that use in 2003. McDonald's executive Gregg Kaplan redirected the concept toward DVD rentals, and a pilot began in Denver in 2004. Redbox's kiosk model benefited from convenience, extended operating hours and a return-anywhere policy that allowed customers to return a disc to any Redbox machine rather than only to the kiosk where it had been rented. Coinstar became a major investor in 2005, purchasing an initial 47 percent stake for $32 million. It increased its ownership to 51 percent in 2008 and acquired the remaining interest in 2009. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Redbox expanded rapidly as traditional video-rental stores closed. It surpassed Blockbuster as the largest United States video-rental chain by kiosk count in 2007, reached 100 million rentals in 2008 and passed one billion rentals in 2010. At its peak, the company operated more than 34,000 kiosks and accounted for more than half of the United States physical DVD-rental market. Redbox's growth created tensions with film studios, which argued that inexpensive kiosk rentals could reduce DVD sales and weaken studio control over new-release distribution. Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. attempted to restrict Redbox's access to newly released discs. Redbox brought antitrust litigation against the studios and temporarily acquired discs through retail channels. Settlement agreements reached in 2010 generally required a 28-day delay before certain studio releases could be rented, although later distribution arrangements shortened some delays. The company diversified during the 2010s. It introduced Blu-ray rentals, expanded video-game rentals nationwide, acquired NCR's Blockbuster Express kiosk business in 2012, tested event-ticket sales and launched Redbox On Demand in 2017. It also created Redbox Entertainment for film and television content acquisition and launched Redbox Free Live TV in 2020. These efforts could not fully offset the long-term migration from physical media to streaming. Redbox's reported revenue declined substantially from 2019 through 2021. Redbox became publicly traded through a merger with Seaport Global Acquisition in October 2021 under the ticker RDBX. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment announced a $375 million acquisition in May 2022 and completed it in August of that year, taking Redbox private. The combined company experienced severe financial problems, including unpaid obligations to retail partners and employees. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2024, and the case was converted to Chapter 7 liquidation in July. Redbox's digital services and app stopped functioning, employees were laid off and its kiosks and other assets became subject to liquidation and removal.

History

Redbox began as an experimental McDonald's automated-retail project known as Project 361. The initial concept involved kiosks selling various consumer goods under the TikTok Easyshops name. When McDonald's discontinued that use in 2003, executive Gregg Kaplan adapted the machines for DVD rental. A Denver test began in 2004, and the resulting Redbox model emphasized convenience, low prices and the ability to return rentals at any kiosk. Coinstar purchased 47 percent of Redbox in 2005 for $32 million. It raised its stake to 51 percent in early 2008 and bought the remaining interest in February 2009. Redbox expanded through supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores and other retailers, avoiding the real-estate costs associated with conventional video stores. By November 2007, it had exceeded Blockbuster in kiosk count. The company reached 100 million rentals in February 2008 and one billion rentals in September 2010. The kiosk network became a major force in United States physical-media rental. It added Blu-ray support in 2010 and video games in selected markets that year, making games available throughout its network by 2011. In 2012, Redbox acquired Blockbuster Express from NCR, adding more than 10,000 kiosks and associated inventory and retailer agreements. It also experimented with ticket sales through Redbox Tickets, although the initiative did not become a central business line. Redbox faced a significant distribution dispute with Hollywood studios. Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. sought to delay or restrict the company's access to new releases because of concerns about rental economics and the effect of kiosk availability on disc sales. Redbox sued the studios, bought some discs through retailers and negotiated distribution arrangements with Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures and Lionsgate. Settlements with Universal, Fox and Warner Bros. in 2010 generally imposed a 28-day rental delay. By 2017, later agreements allowed certain Fox and Warner titles to reach Redbox seven days after home-video release. The physical-rental business peaked in the early 2010s. In 2013, kiosk rentals reached approximately 772.87 million items and generated about $1.97 billion in revenue, according to the cited reference material. Annual rentals declined afterward as consumers shifted toward subscription streaming and digital video. Redbox responded with digital and content initiatives, including Redbox On Demand in 2017, the Redbox Original film Benjamin in 2018, Redbox Entertainment in 2019 and Redbox Free Live TV in 2020. The company also discontinued video-game rentals in 2019, although it continued selling used games for a limited period. Outerwall, Redbox's parent company, was acquired by Apollo Global Management in 2016 and its businesses were separated. Galen Smith became Redbox's chief executive later that year. Redbox subsequently pursued a public listing through a merger with Seaport Global Acquisition, which closed in October 2021 under the symbol RDBX. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment announced a $375 million acquisition in May 2022 and completed the transaction in August. Redbox operated approximately 34,000 kiosks at the end of 2022 and explored new advertising uses, including a 2023 arrangement involving TikTok content on kiosk screens. Financial and operating stress intensified, however. Retail partners reported unpaid commissions, and major chains began terminating contracts or filing lawsuits. The parent company disclosed substantial losses and warned that it might need bankruptcy protection. In June 2024, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 after missing employee payments and failing to secure additional financing. In July, a bankruptcy judge converted the case to Chapter 7 liquidation. Redbox's streaming services and mobile application stopped working, employees were laid off and the physical kiosks became liquidation assets. Some machines remained temporarily functional, while others were removed for recycling, resale or donation of the discs they contained.

2024
Liquidation and shutdown
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
Following the parent's Chapter 7 conversion, Redbox's digital services shut down and its assets entered liquidation.
2022
Acquired by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition took Redbox private less than a year after its public listing.
2021
Public listing under RDBX
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
Redbox completed its merger with Seaport Global Acquisition and began trading on Nasdaq.
2020
Redbox Free Live TV launched nationally
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
Redbox introduced a nationwide free, advertising-supported streaming television service.
2017
Redbox On Demand launched
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
The company expanded from physical kiosks into digital film rental and purchase.
2015
Canadian operations discontinued
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
Redbox removed its approximately 1,400 Canadian kiosks after determining that local demand was too low.
2012
Blockbuster Express acquisition
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
Redbox acquired the competing Blockbuster Express kiosk operation from NCR.
2010
One billionth rental reached
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
The company surpassed one billion cumulative movie and game rentals.
2007
Redbox surpasses Blockbuster by kiosk count
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
Redbox became the largest United States video-rental chain by number of locations.
2005
Coinstar buys minority stake
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
Coinstar acquired 47 percent of Redbox for $32 million.
2004
DVD-rental pilot begins
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
A DVD-rental kiosk test began in Denver after the original general-retail concept was abandoned.
2002
Redbox concept developed within McDonald's
[1]Redboxen.wikipedia.org
The automated-retail concept that became Redbox was developed through McDonald's Project 361 initiative.

Products and positioning

Convenient, low-cost home entertainment delivered through widely distributed self-service kiosks, later extended into digital rentals and ad-supported streaming.

Physical media rental · 2004
Redbox DVD and Blu-ray kiosks
Self-service kiosks rented and sold films on DVD and Blu-ray. A typical machine held a rotating inventory of hundreds of discs, used touchscreen ordering and robotic retrieval, and supported returns at any Redbox kiosk. Kiosks were installed inside or outside retail stores and represented the company's core service.
Interactive entertainment rental · 2010
Video-game rentals
Redbox tested video-game rentals in selected United States markets in 2010 and expanded the service across its kiosk network by 2011. The company discontinued game rentals in 2019, while continuing to sell used game copies through the end of that year.
Transactional video-on-demand · 2017
Redbox On Demand
A digital service introduced in 2017 that allowed customers to rent or purchase films online, extending Redbox beyond physical kiosks as streaming and digital ownership became more important to consumers.
Ad-supported streaming television · 2020
Redbox Free Live TV
A free, advertising-supported streaming television service soft-launched in February 2020 and received a nationwide launch later that month. It complemented Redbox's transactional film services with scheduled channels and ad-funded viewing.
Film and television content · 2019
Redbox Entertainment
A content-production and acquisition division established in 2019. Redbox had earlier acquired the independent film Benjamin for an exclusive 90-day release period through its kiosks and on-demand service.

Controversies

2024
Unpaid retail commissions and bankruptcy-related collapse
Retail partners including 7-Eleven, CVS and Sheetz alleged that Redbox failed to pay contractual commissions. The disputes occurred alongside missed employee payments, severe financial losses and the parent's conversion from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 liquidation.
Source

2023Redbox–TikTok kiosk-screen partnership
United States
Redbox and TikTok announced an arrangement to display selected TikTok content on screens at at least 3,000 Redbox kiosks. The initiative connected the kiosk network with digital advertising and short-form video promotion.
Outcome. The partnership was overtaken by Redbox's financial collapse and subsequent liquidation.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Parent company enters liquidationOther
Background
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment reported large losses, missed employee payments and difficulty obtaining financing.
Action taken
The parent filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and a judge converted the case to Chapter 7 liquidation in July.
Aftermath
Redbox's online services and app stopped functioning, employees were laid off and the kiosk fleet became subject to removal and liquidation.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment reported loss. $636.6 million (2023)
Source
2022
Acquired by Chicken Soup for the Soul EntertainmentM&A
Background
Redbox's public-market business faced pressure as physical-media rental declined and digital competition increased.
Action taken
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment agreed to acquire Redbox and completed the transaction in August 2022.
Aftermath
Redbox became a wholly owned subsidiary and was no longer an independent publicly traded company.
Announced acquisition value. $375 million (2022)
Source
2019
Ends video-game rentalsStrategy
Background
The company was responding to changing consumer behavior and the increasing shift toward digital entertainment.
Action taken
Redbox announced that it would stop renting video games while continuing to sell used copies through the end of the year.
Aftermath
The company focused more heavily on film rentals, digital video and advertising-supported services.
Source
2015
Exits the Canadian marketStrategy
Background
Redbox had installed approximately 1,400 kiosks in Canada but reported that consumer demand was insufficient.
Action taken
The company ended Canadian operations and relocated the kiosks to United States retail locations.
Aftermath
Redbox concentrated its physical-kiosk business on the United States.
Source
2012
Acquires Blockbuster ExpressM&A
Background
NCR operated a competing kiosk network in partnership with Blockbuster.
Action taken
Redbox acquired more than 10,000 Blockbuster Express kiosks, inventory and selected retailer contracts.
Aftermath
Redbox strengthened its kiosk footprint and later sold some machines in less competitive markets to third-party providers.
Acquisition price. $100 million (2012)
Source
2010
Settles studio distribution disputes with delayed new-release rentalsStrategy
Background
Major studios sought to prevent or delay Redbox's access to newly released DVDs, arguing that kiosk rentals threatened studio sales and rental economics.
Action taken
Redbox settled litigation with Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. and accepted a general 28-day waiting period for affected releases.
Aftermath
Redbox retained access to major studio content through distribution agreements, and later deals reduced the delay for some Fox and Warner titles to seven days.
Source

Recent events

2021.10.04
Redbox partnered with FreeWheel on streaming advertising technology[2]Redbox 与 FreeWheel 合作整合流媒体广告技术streamingmedia.com
Redbox announced a partnership with FreeWheel to integrate programmatic technology across Redbox's free streaming platforms, enabling advertisers to access and buy Redbox inventory and target specific audiences.
2021.07.14
Reported2021.07.14
BELFOR Franchise Group announced its acquisition of redbox+[3]BELFOR Franchise Group宣布收购redbox+dbusiness.com
BELFOR Franchise Group announced its acquisition of redbox+, a waste management solutions company. The article does not state that the acquisition had been completed.
2021.07.07
Reported2021.07.07
Redbox Entertainment acquires North American distribution rights to SHE BALL[4]Redbox Entertainment获得《SHE BALL》北美发行权prnewswire.com
Redbox Entertainment acquired North American distribution rights to SHE BALL. Redbox said the film would be released in theaters and made available on demand, including through Redbox, on August 6.
2021.06.21
Reported2021.06.21
Redbox Entertainment acquires North American distribution rights to The Last Son[5]Redbox Entertainment获得《The Last Son》北美发行权prnewswire.com
Redbox Entertainment acquired the North American distribution rights to the film The Last Son. The film was slated for theatrical release and On Demand later in the year.
2020.12.09
Reported2020.12.09
Redbox launches Free On Demand streaming service[6]Redbox推出Free On Demand流媒体服务movieweb.com
Redbox launched Free On Demand, a new ad-supported streaming service offering viewers free access to hundreds of titles each week.
2020.09.18
Reported2020.09.18
Red Box announces Conversa voice platform launch[7]Red Box宣布推出Conversa语音平台saudigazette.com.sa
Red Box announced the launch of Conversa, an enterprise voice platform, with an initial Limited Release. The platform is to be available alongside Red Box's current platform.
2020.02.16
Reported2020.02.17
Redbox launches free live TV service[8]Redbox推出免费直播电视服务engadget.com
Redbox launched Redbox Free Live TV, a free, ad-supported live TV service available to some users through its website or mobile app.
Unconfirmed
Reported2020.02.15
Redbox launches Free Live TV[9]Redbox推出Free Live TVtheverge.com
Redbox launched Free Live TV, an ad-supported online video streaming service that was in limited release.

Sources18 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/red-box · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled