Put a fork in it: Blockbuster US is done.

[capncrunch]

Looks like the online rental & download markets have finally baked the US-based Blockbuster.

Blockbuster files for bankruptcy in US

Blockbuster's non-US operations are not included in the bankruptcy, as they are legally separate entities.

Maybe so, but don't expect the Canadian-based operation to be spared the axe, it's just a matter of time.

 

[red]

time to rewind the tape

 

[nottyboi]

as if no one could see that one coming...

 

[oldjones]

The sad part is the Blockbuster effect their business model had on all sorts of excellent small outlets, like Rewind in my neighbourhood. BB could drive them into the ground with cheaper rates, and longer hours, but that's like the 500 channel universe of nothing worth watching. A little storefront specializing in foreign and classic movies just couldn't stay open long enough or give them away cheap enough to be the on the way home quick stop that keeps a home entertainment business alive.

All well and good to make profits—which they failed at—but the competition thing—war to the death on all others—is the rabies of capitalism. And BB was the Baconator of your video diet; all pudge and sugar.

 

[themexi]

The sad part is the Blockbuster effect their business model had on all sorts of excellent small outlets, like Rewind in my neighbourhood. BB could drive them into the ground with cheaper rates, and longer hours, but that's like the 500 channel universe of nothing worth watching. A little storefront specializing in foreign and classic movies just couldn't stay open long enough or give them away cheap enough to be the on the way home quick stop that keeps a home entertainment business alive.

All well and good to make profits—which they failed at—but the competition thing—war to the death on all others—is the rabies of capitalism. And BB was the Baconator of your video diet; all pudge and sugar.

We'll be seeing a lot of the little niche places coming back in different forms I think...

The 57 channels with nothing on issue is remedied by specialization by people who really love what they're into & convey that to attract niche customers

 

[rafterman]

as if no one could see that one coming...

Ha ha ha.....15 years ago probably not, but as the internet has grown and matured the BB model has been withering slowly for the past ten years.

Movie Gallery operating as Hollywood Video notionally went into reorganization earlier this year but ultimately proceeded to liquidation.

 

[nottyboi]

Goggle TV will ensure you will never have to leave your couch again.

 

[fmahovalich]

I don;t feel sorry for these guys!!

Im sure the Executives made a pile!

I recall years ago when they came into the business..they drove out the little guys...Jumbo for one, amongst many many others....

And they sold the treats for an arm and a leg.

They gouged, stole, undersold....

GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!

 

[Cobster]

I don;t feel sorry for these guys!!

Im sure the Executives made a pile!

I recall years ago when they came into the business..they drove out the little guys...Jumbo for one, amongst many many others....

And they sold the treats for an arm and a leg.

They gouged, stole, undersold....

GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!

Agree with this completely.

 

[dcc]

yup couldnt have happened to a nicer guy. greedy fux

 

[Aardvark154]

The sad part is the Blockbuster effect their business model had on all sorts of excellent small outlets, like Rewind in my neighbourhood. BB could drive them into the ground with cheaper rates, and longer hours, but that's like the 500 channel universe of nothing worth watching. A little storefront specializing in foreign and classic movies just couldn't stay open long enough or give them away cheap enough to be the on the way home quick stop that keeps a home entertainment business alive.

All well and good to make profits—which they failed at—but the competition thing—war to the death on all others—is the rabies of capitalism. And BB was the Baconator of your video diet; all pudge and sugar.

True enough.

 

[WoodPeckr]

yup couldnt have happened to a nicer guy. greedy fux

+1....

 

[papasmerf]

they had a great run.

Blockbuster put thousand of mom and pop stores out of business.
now it it their turn to accept the changes of the times we live in.

 

[djk]

The sad part is the Blockbuster effect their business model had on all sorts of excellent small outlets, like Rewind in my neighbourhood. BB could drive them into the ground with cheaper rates, and longer hours, but that's like the 500 channel universe of nothing worth watching. A little storefront specializing in foreign and classic movies just couldn't stay open long enough or give them away cheap enough to be the on the way home quick stop that keeps a home entertainment business alive.

All well and good to make profits—which they failed at—but the competition thing—war to the death on all others—is the rabies of capitalism. And BB was the Baconator of your video diet; all pudge and sugar.

Actually, they were profitable until internet video and Netflix took off. Under Viacom, their CEO made an arrangement with the movie studios to share revenue in the 90's.

http://opimweb.wharton.upenn.edu/documents/research/Revshare_ms.pdf
http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/spier/pdf/revenuesharingjie.pdf

 

[papasmerf]

for me it is hard to beat nexflix.

I joined over the summer while recuperating and watch countless movies direct to my TV. As well as the first 5 seasons of Weeds and 2 of Dexter.

For 10 bucks a month that is equal to a weekend of movies when my daughter was little.

 

[anon1]

My local BB sits on a prime piece of commercial real estate. In this instance, liquidation of that asset will recoup any and all losses.

 

[JohnLarue]

My local BB sits on a prime piece of commercial real estate. In this instance, liquidation of that asset will recoup any and all losses.

Are you sure its not leased to BB or the franchisee?

I doubt very much that Real Estate holdings will save this ship

 

[anon1]

It's a freestanding ground-up store. I knew the people that sold them the property. Unless the site is held in a different legal entity, it's owned/controlled by BB Corporate.

 

[GotGusto]

I haven't rented a movie in over a decade.

 

[alexmst]

Blockbuster memories: 1997, and I want to rent a movie. There is a line up of 8 people in line at the cash desk as I head for new releases to find what I want. Damn - it is out! All 10 copies. Frantically search the cart of retuned VHS tapes that haven't been shelved yet seeing if one is there, but no. Breeze past this new small display of something called "DVD" disks they are putting movies on. Why bother buying a new player to plat DVD when I have a 4-head Hi-Fi VCR and most of the movies are rented in VHS format anyway. Hmmm...DVD will probably be another Betamax. With a VCR I can record shows and watch them later with no commercials. DVD players can't do that. Ask at information when the movies I want will be in. Told "we're expecting returns anytime". Go home and come back 1 hour later (short walk). Still no movie on the shelf, but ah, a woman is ruturning a piles of tapes and I see one is what I want. It is scanned in and I grab it from behind the counter to rent. Guy says "You're suppose to wait for it to be shelved" but scans it out to me anyway. Two other employees joke to each other than after 2 rentals the tape has paid for itself and it is all profit after that.