Universal Studios Home Entertainment and redbox announced they have reached a long-term distribution agreement that will make Universal DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) titles available for rental at redbox locations 28 days after release. The agreement ends the legal dispute between redbox and Universal.

According to the statement, the deal provides redbox with reduced product costs and sufficient quantities of product four weeks after street date and extends redbox’s access to Blu-ray titles, which redbox is testing in select markets.

The first release covered under the new agreement is the hit comedy “It’s Complicated,” which Universal will directly supply to redbox 28 days after the film’s April 27 street date.

“While this arrangement mutually benefits our two companies, it’s more importantly a win for consumers who will now have increased access to Universal films at more than 20,000 redbox locations nationwide,” said Mr. Kornblau.  “In forging this pact, we have successfully established balanced terms for our rental products in redbox kiosks that provide consumers value and convenience in movie rentals.”

“This agreement enables redbox to fulfill our commitment to providing consumers affordable and convenient home entertainment,” said Mitch Lowe. “This arrangement allows redbox to acquire Universal titles at reduced product costs, preserving value for our consumers and increasing availability of Universal titles at redbox locations nationwide.”

Redbox has agreed to remove Universal content from kiosks after their useful rental life and discontinue access via rental or sale.

For more information visit: www.redbox.com ; www.universalstudios.com