Internet movie rental destination NetFlix and Circuit City, one of the nation’s largest consumer electronics retailers, announced today that they are joining forces to offer a promotion designed to bridge the online and offline DVD marketplace. The move, expected to accelerate DVD hardware sales at Circuit City’s more than 600 retail outlets nationwide, will provide an in-store
coupon good for 13 free rentals from NetFlix to purchasers of DVD players beginning March 15 through August 31.

“NetFlix’s partnership with Circuit City capitalizes on the benefits that a combined online and offline retail effort can bring to consumers,” said NetFlix CEO Reed Hastings. “Through alliances and promotions such as this, we have continuously sought to make NetFlix a valuable service for DVD hardware owners by providing them with simple rental programs and access to virtually every DVD published.”

“We believe our customers will enjoy the added value that NetFlix offers through this promotion,” said John Froman, Circuit City senior vice president of merchandising. “As one of the leading DVD retailers in the nation, this promotion will enhance our already strong consumer offer.”