Online DVD rental in KZN

2007-06-26 09:37

Shirley Jones

Durban - An online DVD rental service, BigPix, was launched in Durban on Monday.

Co-owner Wayne Hughes said the service will enable online consumers al over KZN to sign up, rent DVDs from home or even the office, have them delivered within two working days and then return them by simply posting them in the nearest mail box or dropping them off at a Shell service station.

"Up until now DVD rental has been based largely on impulse. We aim to change that," said Hughes.

A choice of three monthly packages allows consumers to select from a total of 50 000 titles and compile lists online.

Once the first DVD is received and returned, the next on the list is automatically dispatched and the contract holder is notified by e-mail. There are no delivery costs or late return fees, he said.

Global trend

"Online DVD rental is still fairly new to South African consumers and it is therefore our aim to introduce this global trend and revolutionise the way that South Africans rent and watch movies," said co-owner Wayne Hughes, who brought the idea back to South Africa after a brief sojourn in America where online DVD is both popular and a thriving business.

Hughes said that, with over five million internet users in South Africa, BigPix has a substantial target market and expects turnover to reach around R7m per month by the end of its third year.

It began operating in KwaZulu-Natal this week and will be rolled out around the country within a month.

The BigPix warehouse is in Pinetown and the company has used local software gurus to create a unique software package to control the storage and dispatching of the DVDs.

'Complete convenience'

He said BigPix worked closely with the South African Post Office to create the logistics for efficient delivery and return. BigPix is confident that this will be efficient.

"People today generally lead very hectic lives. We want to be able to offer people complete convenience. The advantage is that people can watch DVDs at their own pace without fear or incurring penalties. As long as they continue their memberships, they will not be inconvenienced by deadlines," said Hughes.

The DVD rental industry has also earned itself a bad name by hiring out pirated copies as well as pornographic material.

Hughes said this service has the approval of both Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro, through which all their DVDs will be purchased.

BigPix is certified by the Film and Publications Board. He said no "adult movies" will be rented out by the company.

"We are trying to get the South African public used to the concept. Then we will deepen our offering," Hughes said, adding that this could include Playstation and other games as well as exercise, self improvement and other instructional products.

Another online DVD rental service in South Africa, PushPlay, launched in July 2006.

- The Witness