In 2010, more DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (BDs) were rented from standalone kiosks like Redbox and Blockbuster, than in retail stores. This according to the latest research by The NPD Group.
“Consumers are obviously responding positively to the perceived value and convenience of kiosks,” said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD.
According to NPD, Netflix and other subscription services comprised 41% of video rentals in the third quarter of 2010, followed by kiosk rentals at 31%, and in-store rentals at 27%.
Compared to the third quarter of 2009, kiosk rental increased 10 percentage points, subscription rental share rose 2%, and in-store rental share declined by 13%.
Crupnick adds, “Traditional video retailers will no doubt experience even more competition in the coming year, as kiosks appear more frequently in grocery store chains, mass merchandisers, and quick-serve restaurants, and as competition intensifies from an assortment of on-demand rental offerings.”

Apple boss Steve Jobs is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence.
During his absence, day-to-day control of the company will be in the hands of Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook. Jobs will retain the title of CEO and said in a letter to employees that he will be involved in “major strategic decisions” for the company.
This is the second time Jobs has taken time off for health concerns, but this is the first time without a timetable for his return.
In January 2009 he took leave and returned the following June after undergoing a liver transplant. Jobs was treated for pancreatic cancer in 2004.
Many speculators believe he chose today to share the news because the U.S. stock market is closed for the MLK holiday, and the announcement would likely have a negative impact on Apple stock.
More here.

The Nashville Alliance for Public Education, along with the Country Music Association and the Nashville Symphony will host a student concert Tuesday, Feb. 1 (6:30 PM/CT) to celebrate the return of the city’s world-class Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the development of our next generation of musicians and performers during the second Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert presented by SunTrust Bank.
Capitol Records Nashville artist and CMA Board member Luke Bryan will host the event and perform with Nashville School of the Arts guitar student Sam Hunter.
The All Stars Concert will feature a variety of musical styles from arts programs in Metro Nashville’s 139 elementary, middle, and high schools.
The Nashville Alliance has partnered with CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program since 2006 and has provided more than 4,000 musical instruments and music labs for nearly 70 Metro public schools. To date, the program has raised more than $4.7 million from the proceeds of the annual CMA Music Festival to purchase much-needed musical instruments and equipment. In 2010, CMA donated more than $1.4 million to the effort, which includes a $1 million endowment ($200,000 annual contribution) of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Words & Music” program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting.
The Keep the Music Playing All Stars concert is free to students’ families and schools through the support of SunTrust Bank.
“Putting instruments in the hands of children is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by CMA on behalf of our artists,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Supporting music education is an investment in the future. Metro students who participate in arts programs have a 95 percent graduation rate and access to scholarships. These music students care about how music is made and where it comes from. They are our most ardent ambassadors.”

MusicRow extendes its condolences to family and friends of longtime Charlie Daniels Band guitarist Tommy Crain, who passed away yesterday (1/13) in Franklin. He was 59. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ella Helen Crain, and survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Crain; his wife, Melissa Williams Crain; daughter, Ann Crain McDuffee; grandson, Hunter McDuffee; brother Billy Crain; sister Sherry Crain Arledge; and many nieces and nephews.
Crain grew up in Nashville, where he attended Parmer School and Montgomery Bell Academy. He joined the Charlie Daniels Band in 1975, where he stayed for over 15 years playing on more than 20 albums and co-writing over 60 songs, including the classic “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”
“Tommy Crain will always be a part of the CDB family and his music will always be a part of the CDB sound,” says Charlie Daniels. “We have lost a good friend and the world has lost a unique, creative and precious human being. We send our deepest condolences to the family of our brother Tommy Crain. You were special, buddy. We’re gonna miss you.”
Since he left CDB in 1989, Crain focused on helping wife Melissa’s career in equestrian endurance riding. He was employed by Rogers Remodeling as well as Southbound Trains, both of Franklin, TN and leader of Tommy Crain and the Crosstown Allstars of Atlanta.
A memorial service will be held for friends and family and details are pending. Donations may be made to the Nashville Local Chapter of Musicians On Call, 1313 21st Ave., Oxford House, Suite 1002, Nashville, TN, 37232.