DVDNow Kiosks, the world's largest network of independently-owned and operated DVD rental kiosks, is launching Costa Rica's first-ever DVD rental kiosks beginning this month. With Costa Rica, the company now has operations in 15 countries.

Local entrepreneur Mauricio Altmann, who brought the concept to Costa Rica, notes that the territory still has a healthy video store market, but expects that to change as consumers embrace the convenience of self-service kiosks.

The first DVD rental kiosk is already undergoing a test run in the food court of the Forum Business Park, a complex of several office towers in San Jose's suburbs.

Altmann says he became interested in the DVD kiosk business a few years ago when he saw Redbox machines on a trip to Las Vegas. Redbox and its parent company Coinstar have enjoyed success in the US market where they operate more than 30,000 self-serve kiosk.

Revenue from Redbox DVD rental kiosks surged nearly 40% to $503 million in the first quarter of 2012. Altmann approached Redbox but was told they don't franchise. He looked for other opportunities and that's when he learned about DVDNow, which provides kiosks as a business opportunity to entrepreneurs.

DVDNow has over 3,000 privately owned kiosks in circulation globally, including South Africa, Ireland, England, North and South America, Guam, New Zealand and Australia.

DVDNow launched in June of 2006 and quickly became the leading provider of independently operated DVD rental kiosks. Today, with operations in over 15 countries, DVDNow has the largest independently operated DVD rental kiosk network in the world.

Story filed 09.07.12