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Blockbuster's stock trade had been dropping steadily the months before the merger, with a small rise after the deal was announced, and three years later, in 1997, its worth was estimated to just $4.6 billion.

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The Blockbuster Block Party concept was test-marketed in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], and [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], in 1994. It was an "entertainment complex" aimed at adults, containing eight themed areas housing a restaurant, games, laser tag arena, and motion simulator rides, and was housed in a windowless building the size of a city

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The Blockbuster Block Party concept was test-marketed in [[Albuquerque]], [[New Mexico]], and [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], in 1994. It was an "entertainment complex" aimed at adults, containing eight themed areas housing a restaurant, games, laser tag arena, and motion simulator rides, and was housed in a windowless building the size of a city block.

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block.

During the 1990s Blockbuster expanded in the United Kingdom, purchasing that country's Ritz Video chain. The stores were re-branded to Blockbuster, making it the number one UK rental chain.

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The original Blockbuster company, Blockbuster Video Inc., was merged into the parent company Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. which had earlier replaced the Blockbuster

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The original Blockbuster company, Blockbuster Video Inc., was merged into the parent company Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. which had earlier replaced the Blockbuster Entertainment Company. In 1996, Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. merged into a new Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation and the retail stores, then called Blockbuster Video, were renamed Blockbuster. The logo changed slightly, but retained the International Typeface Corporation(ITC Machine) font. In November 1996 Blockbuster confirmed that it was moving its headquarters from [[Fort Lauderdale]], [[Florida]] to the Renaissance Tower in downtown [[Dallas]], [[Texas]]. Most of the workers at the Florida headquarters did not want to relocate, so Blockbuster planned to hire around 500 to 600 new employees for its Dallas headquarters. The company had offered various relocation packages to all of its Fort Lauderdale staff. The second Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation was later merged into Blockbuster, Inc.

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Entertainment Company. In 1996, Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. merged into a new Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation and the retail stores, then called Blockbuster

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Video, were renamed Blockbuster. The logo changed slightly, but retained the [[International Typeface Corporation|ITC Machine]] font. In November 1996 Blockbuster

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confirmed that it was moving its headquarters from [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]] to the [[~~Renaissance Tower (~~Dallas~~)|Renaissance Tower~~]] in [[~~downtown~~

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~~Dallas~~]]. Most of the workers at the Florida headquarters did not want to relocate, so Blockbuster planned to hire around 500 to 600 new employees for its Dallas headquarters. The company had offered various relocation packages to all of its Fort Lauderdale staff. The second Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation was later merged into Blockbuster, Inc.

===1998-2007: John Antioco era===

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In 1998, Blockbuster created [[DEJ Productions]], which acquired 225 films primarily to provide exclusive content to its Blockbuster stores prior to being sold off to

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In 1998, Blockbuster created DEJ Productions, which acquired 225 films primarily to provide exclusive content to its Blockbuster stores prior to being sold off to First Look Studios in 2005. During that same year, Blockbuster bought the Irish video rental store Xtra-vision, with over 200 stores in Ireland and the UK. In 2009, Blockbuster sold off its Irish operations to Birchall Investments, with the few Xtra-vision stores in the UK being re-branded as Blockbuster.

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~~[[First Look Studios]] in 2005~~. ~~During that same year,~~ Blockbuster ~~bought~~ the ~~Irish video~~ rental ~~store Xtra-vision~~, ~~with over 200 stores~~ in ~~Ireland~~ and the ~~UK. In 2009, Blockbuster sold off~~ its ~~Irish operations~~ to ~~Birchall Investments,~~ with the few ~~Xtra-vision stores~~ in the ~~UK being re-branded as~~ Blockbuster.

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In 1998, when DVDs were emerging as the new video medium, Warner Bros. offered CEO John Antioco an exclusive rental deal. Blockbuster was to have rights to rent new DVD releases for a period of time before they went on sale to the general public. The studio was to receive 40% of rental revenues in return, which was the same deal already in place for VHS rentals. Blockbuster turned the offer down, and the studio responded by lowering its DVD wholesale price in order to compete with the rental industry. [[Walmart]] seized the opportunity and in a few years surpassed Blockbuster as the studios' single largest source of revenue. Other mass retailers soon followed suit. Many began selling DVDs below wholesale price in hopes of selling more items with better profit margins as a result of the additional foot traffic in their stores. Unable to match prices, Blockbuster's business model was severely impacted.

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~~In 1998, when DVDs were emerging as the new video medium, Warner Bros. offered CEO John Antioco an exclusive rental deal. Blockbuster was to have rights to rent new DVD~~

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In late 1998, Blockbuster launched a loyalty program called Blockbuster Rewards that allowed customers to earn free rentals, including one older title each month from the category of Blockbuster Favorites. After the 1998 test launch, the chain went nationwide with the program in 1999.

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~~releases for a period of time before they went on sale to the general public. The studio was to receive 40% of rental revenues in return, which was the same deal already in~~

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~~place for VHS rentals. Blockbuster turned the offer down, and the studio responded by lowering its DVD wholesale price in order to compete with the rental industry.~~

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~~[[Walmart]] seized the opportunity and in a few years surpassed Blockbuster as the studios' single largest source of revenue. Other mass retailers soon followed suit. Many~~

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~~began selling DVDs [[Loss leader|below wholesale price]] in hopes of selling more items with better profit margins as a result of the additional foot traffic in their~~

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~~stores. Unable to match prices, Blockbuster's business model was severely impacted.~~

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In late 1998, Blockbuster launched a loyalty program called Blockbuster Rewards that allowed customers to earn free rentals, including one older title each month from the

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category of Blockbuster Favorites. After the 1998 test launch, the chain went nationwide with the program in 1999.

In August the same year, Viacom sold the Blockbuster Music chain to Wherehouse Entertainment, which was subsequently purchased by Trans World Entertainment in 2003.

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In mid-2000, the company partnered with [[Enron]] in an attempt to create a video-on-demand service. The agreement was supposed to last for 20 years; however, Enron

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In mid-2000, the company partnered with [[Enron]] in an attempt to create a video-on-demand service. The agreement was supposed to last for 20 years; however, Enron terminated the deal in March 2001 over fears that Blockbuster would not be able to provide sufficient films for the service. Also in 2000, Blockbuster turned down a chance to purchase the fledgling [[Netflix]] for $50 million. Even Blockbuster's late fees came back to bite the chain in an unlikely way. In 1997, a man named Reed Hastings returned a late copy of ''[[Apollo 13 (film)'' to his local Blockbuster. He was assessed a $40 fee. Two years later, he founded Netflix. Blockbuster was caught flat-footed by many of these changes. It could have purchased Netflix for $50 million in 2000, but passed. As Netflix rose, Blockbuster's attempts to compete on Netflix's terms—especially through the mail—foundered. It also tried to compete with Redbox using standalone kiosk's. That didn't work, either.

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terminated the deal in March 2001 over fears that Blockbuster would not be able to provide sufficient films for the service. Also in 2000, Blockbuster turned down a chance

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to purchase the fledgling [[Netflix]] for $50 million. Even Blockbuster's late fees came back to bite the chain in an unlikely way. In 1997, a man named Reed Hastings

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returned a late copy of ''[[Apollo 13 (film)'' to his local Blockbuster. He was assessed a $40 fee. Two years later, he founded Netflix. Blockbuster was caught flat-footed

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by many of these changes. It could have purchased Netflix for $50 million in 2000, but passed. As Netflix rose, Blockbuster's attempts to compete on Netflix's ~~terms—~~

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~~especially~~ through the mail—foundered. It also tried to compete with [[Redbox]] using standalone kiosk's. That didn't work, either.

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~~In 2002, Blockbuster acquired Movie Trading Company, a Dallas chain that buys, sells, and trades movies and games, to study potential business models for DVD and game~~

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~~trading. Also that year, it acquired Gamestation, a 64-store UK computer and console games retailer chain, and purchased DVD Rental Central for $1 million, an Arizona~~

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~~father-and-son online DVD-rental company with about ten thousand subscribers. DVD Rental Central would eventually become Blockbuster Online.~~

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~~On or around October 14, 2004, Blockbuster was spun-off from Viacom. Online DVD subscription was introduced on Blockbuster.com, also known as Blockbuster Online.~~

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~~Blockbuster also rolled out its "Game Rush" store-in-store concept to approximately 450 domestic company-operated stores. Blockbuster began game and DVD trading in selected~~

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~~U.S. stores.~~

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~~At its peak in 2004, Blockbuster had more than 9,000 stores in the U.S.<ref name= nyt09/> In December 2004, Blockbuster announced its intention to pursue a hostile takeover~~

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~~of Hollywood Video, its major U.S. competitor. After several extensions of the tender offer, Blockbuster withdrew due to [[Federal Trade Commission|FTC]] opposition. To~~

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~~counter the Blockbuster offer, Hollywood Video agreed to a buyout in January 2005 by a smaller competitor, the Dothan, Alabama-based Movie Gallery. Since then, Movie~~

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~~Gallery has filed~~ for ~~bankruptcy twice~~ and ~~its entire~~ chain ~~of stores has been liquidated~~.

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In 2002, Blockbuster acquired Movie Trading Company, a Dallas chain that buys, sells, and trades movies and games, to study potential business models for DVD and game trading. Also that year, it acquired Gamestation, a 64-store UK computer and console games retailer chain, and purchased DVD Rental Central for $1 million, an Arizona father-and-son online DVD-rental company with about ten thousand subscribers. DVD Rental Central would eventually become Blockbuster Online.

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~~In May 2005~~, ~~financier [[Carl Icahn]] waged a successful [[proxy fight]]~~ to ~~add himself~~ and ~~two other members to the board~~. ~~Icahn accused Blockbuster of overpaying chairman~~

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On or around October 14, 2004, Blockbuster was spun-off from Viacom. Online DVD subscription was introduced on Blockbuster.com, also known as Blockbuster Online. Blockbuster also rolled out its "Game Rush" store-in-store concept to approximately 450 domestic company-operated stores. Blockbuster began game and DVD trading in selected U.S. stores.

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~~and CEO John F. Antioco~~, ~~who~~ had ~~served~~ in ~~that capacity since 1997~~, ~~receiving $51~~.~~6 million~~ in ~~compensation~~ for ~~2004~~. ~~Icahn was also at odds with Antioco on how to revive~~

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At its peak in 2004, Blockbuster had more than 9,000 stores in the U.S. In December 2004, Blockbuster announced its intention to pursue a hostile takeover of Hollywood Video, its major U.S. competitor. After several extensions of the tender offer, Blockbuster withdrew due to [[Federal Trade Commission|FTC]] opposition. To counter the Blockbuster offer, Hollywood Video agreed to a buyout in January 2005 by a smaller competitor, the Dothan, Alabama-based Movie Gallery. Since then, Movie Gallery has filed for bankruptcy twice and its entire chain of stores has been liquidated.

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profit at Blockbuster. Antioco scrapped late fees in January, started an internet service, and decided to keep the company independent, while Icahn wanted to sell out to a

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In May 2005, financier [[Carl Icahn]] waged a successful proxy fight to add himself and two other members to the board. Icahn accused Blockbuster of overpaying chairman and CEO John F. Antioco, who had served in that capacity since 1997, receiving $51.6 million in compensation for 2004. Icahn was also at odds with Antioco on how to revive profit at Blockbuster. Antioco scrapped late fees in January, started an internet service, and decided to keep the company independent, while Icahn wanted to sell out to a [[private equity]] firm. Also in 2005, Blockbuster began a campaign promoting its "No more late fees" policy . The campaign proved controversial, with [[Associated Press]] reporting that the new policy actually charged users the full price of the movie or game after eight days which they could cancel by returning the product in question and paying a fee. More than 40 states filed suit against the company for false advertising. Blockbuster later settled the suit by agreeing to refunds, as well as promising to better explain the policy.

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[[private equity]] firm. Also in 2005, Blockbuster began a campaign promoting its "No more late fees" policy . The campaign proved controversial, with [[Associated Press]]

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reporting that the new policy actually charged users the full price of the movie or game after eight days which they could cancel by returning the product in question and

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paying a fee. More than 40 states filed suit against the company for false advertising. Blockbuster later settled the suit by agreeing to refunds, as well as promising to

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better explain the policy.

Vintage Stock (retailer) acquired the Movie Trading Company name from Blockbuster in 2006, and continues to use the name for Dallas-area stores.

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A billion-dollar campaign called Total Access was introduced in 2007 as a strategy against Netflix. Through Blockbuster Online customers could rent a DVD online and receive

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A billion-dollar campaign called Total Access was introduced in 2007 as a strategy against Netflix. Through Blockbuster Online customers could rent a DVD online and receive a new movie for free when they returned it to a Blockbuster store. While it was a major success every free movie cost the company two dollars, but the hope was that it would attract enough new subscribers to cover the loss. Netflix felt threatened, and Hastings approached Antioco with a suggestion to buy Blockbuster's online business. In return, a new system would be introduced where customers could return their movies to a Blockbuster store. Before the deal could be realized, board member Carl Icahn intervened, refusing to let the company lose more money through Total Access. Antioco was pushed out in July and replaced with James Keyes, who rejected Hasting's proposal, raised the price of online DVD rentals and put an end to the free movie deal. As a consequence, Blockbuster Online's previously massive growth quickly stopped. Antioco's departure reportedly also involved continued controversy over his compensation. He left with a $24.7 million severance package.

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~~a new movie for free when they returned it to a Blockbuster store. While it was a major success every free movie cost the company two dollars, but the hope was that it~~

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On June 19, 2007, after a pilot program launched in late 2006, Blockbuster announced that it had chosen [[Blu-ray]] over HD DVD format to rent in a majority of its stores. In the pilot program, Blockbuster offered selected titles for rental and sale in 250 stores. Blockbuster stocked Blu-ray titles in almost 5,000 stores across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Australia.

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~~would attract enough new subscribers to cover the loss. Netflix felt threatened, and Hastings approached Antioco with a suggestion to buy Blockbuster's online business. In~~

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~~return, a new system would be introduced where customers could return their movies to a Blockbuster store. Before the deal could be realized, board member Carl Icahn~~

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~~intervened, refusing to let the company lose more money through Total Access. Antioco was pushed out in July and replaced with James Keyes, who rejected Hasting's proposal,~~

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~~raised the price of online DVD rentals and put an end to the free movie deal. As a consequence, Blockbuster Online's previously massive growth quickly stopped. Antioco's~~

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~~departure reportedly also involved continued controversy over his compensation. He left with a $24.7 million severance package.~~

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On June 19, 2007, after a pilot program launched in late 2006, Blockbuster announced that it had chosen [[Blu-ray]] over [[HD DVD]] format to rent in a majority of its

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stores. In the pilot program, Blockbuster offered selected titles for rental and sale in 250 stores. Blockbuster stocked Blu-ray titles in almost 5,000 stores across the

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United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Australia.

===2007–2011: James Keyes era===

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On July 2, 2007, the company named [[James W. Keyes]], former president and CEO of [[7-Eleven]], as the new chairman and CEO. He introduced a new business strategy that

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On July 2, 2007, the company named James W. Keyes, former president and CEO of 7-Eleven, as the new chairman and CEO. He introduced a new business strategy that included enhancements to existing stores along with a shift to streaming video with the acquisition of MovieLink in September 2008. Part of the plan was to de-emphasize the unprofitable Total Access (DVD-by-mail) service, in favor of online streaming. In December 2008, he still ignored both Netflix and Redbox, focusing on Apple and Walmart instead; "Neither RedBox nor Netflix are even on the radar screen in terms of competition. It's more Walmart and Apple."

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On September 14, 2007, Blockbuster GB Ltd bought a number of retail stores from ChoicesUK plc. ChoicesUK is an AIM-listed multi-channel distributor and retailer of DVDs, computer games, and CDs. The sale secured employment for approximately 450 employees across 59 stores in the UK. As part of the transaction, Blockbuster GB rebranded the stores as Blockbuster.

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included enhancements to existing stores along with a shift to streaming video with the acquisition of MovieLink in September 2008. Part of the plan was to de-emphasize the

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~~unprofitable Total Access (DVD-by-mail) service~~, ~~in favor~~ of ~~online streaming~~. ~~In December~~ 2008, ~~he still ignored both Netflix~~ and ~~Redbox~~, ~~focusing~~ on ~~Apple and Walmart~~

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On February 17, 2008, Blockbuster proposed a buyout of struggling Circuit City Stores. However, after a [[due diligence]] review of Circuit City's financial books, Blockbuster withdrew its offer in July 2008. Analysts were not favorable to the proposed deal, viewing it as a desperate effort to save two struggling retailers rather than a bold turnaround initiative. Subsequently, Circuit City filed for bankruptcy on November 10, 2008 and, after liquidating all of its stores, ceased operations on March 8, 2009.

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instead; "~~Neither RedBox nor Netflix are even on~~ the ~~radar screen in terms~~ of ~~competition~~. It's ~~more Walmart and Apple~~."

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At the beginning of 2010, Blockbuster had over 6,500 stores, of which 4,000 were in the U.S.— a number that fell to 3,425 in late October the same year. In the United States it planned to close between 810 and 960 retail stores, and instead launch as many as 10,000 "Blockbuster Express" video rental kiosks by the middle of 2010. It has been claimed that more than 43 million U.S. households had Blockbuster memberships.

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On February 10, 2010, Blockbuster announced that it would cease all its operations in Portugal, closing down 17 outlets and leaving over 100 workers unemployed. Blockbuster representatives in Portugal blamed internet piracy and the lack of government response to it as the key factors to the company's failure in the country.

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On ~~September 14~~, ~~2007~~, Blockbuster ~~GB Ltd bought~~ a ~~number~~ of ~~retail~~ stores ~~from ChoicesUK plc~~. ~~ChoicesUK is an AIM-listed multi-channel distributor~~ and ~~retailer of DVDs,~~

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In March 2010, Blockbuster began "Additional Daily Rates", or "ADRs", for rentals not returned by their due date in the United States, having already used this procedure in other countries such as the UK for many years. An ADR was charged for each day a member kept the rental beyond the rental terms.

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On March 12, 2010, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Blockbuster's independent registered public accounting firm, issued its audit opinion disclosing substantial doubt about Blockbuster's ability to continue as a going concern. This report was included in Blockbusters's 10-K SEC filing. On March 17, 2010, Blockbuster issued a bankruptcy warning after continued drops in revenue threatened its ability to service its nearly $1 billion debt load. By April 1, 2010, Carl Icahn had resigned from Blockbuster's board of directors and sold nearly all his remaining Blockbuster stock. Blockbuster paired up with Time Warner to have Warner Bros. movies made available in Blockbuster stores on the DVD release date and not be subject to a four-week delay. Similar agreements were also made with Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox.

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~~computer games~~, ~~and CDs~~. ~~The sale secured employment for approximately 450 employees across 59 stores in~~ the UK. ~~As part~~ of ~~the transaction~~, Blockbuster ~~GB rebranded~~ the

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The liquidation of Movie Gallery began in May 2010, eliminating Blockbuster's primary competitor. During the same month a dissident shareholder, Gregory S. Meyer, in an effort to be elected to Blockbuster's board of directors, engaged in a proxy battle with Blockbuster's board, alleging that the board had been responsible for significant destruction of value to shareholders. Meyer was elected to the board at Blockbuster's shareholder meeting in Dallas on June 24, 2010.

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~~stores as Blockbuster~~.

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On July 1, 2010, the company was delisted from the [[New York Stock Exchange]] after its shareholders failed to pass a [[reverse stock split]] plan aimed at heading off involuntary delisting because of the stock's trading at well below $1 per share. The stock was then traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (over-the-counter bulletin board).

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~~On February 17~~, ~~2008~~, Blockbuster ~~proposed a buyout of struggling [[Circuit City Stores|Circuit City]]~~. ~~However, after a [[due diligence]] review of Circuit City's~~

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Blockbuster was unable to make a $42.4 million interest payment to bondholders and was given until August 13, 2010, to pay off the debt. The company hired Jeff Stegenga to be its chief restructuring officer (CRO) in an effort to satisfy bondholder demands and recapitalize the company. After failing to pay on August 13, bondholders gave Blockbuster until September 30, 2010.

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~~financial books~~, Blockbuster ~~withdrew its offer~~ in ~~July 2008~~. ~~Analysts were not favorable to~~ the ~~proposed deal~~, ~~viewing it as a desperate effort~~ to ~~save two struggling~~

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On August 26, 2010, news media reported that Blockbuster was planning to file a pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-September. In light of this news, the company's chief financial officer (CFO), Tom Casey, resigned on September 11. He was replaced by Dennis McGill, formerly CFO of Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. On September 23, 2010, Blockbuster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to challenging losses, $900 million in debt, and strong competition from [[Netflix]], [[Redbox]], and video on-demand services. Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video had filed for Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code bankruptcy liquidation earlier in 2010 for similar reasons.

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~~retailers rather than~~ a ~~bold turnaround initiative~~. ~~Subsequently~~, ~~Circuit City filed for~~ bankruptcy ~~on November 10~~, ~~2008 and~~, ~~after liquidating all~~ of ~~its stores, ceased~~

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At the time of its Chapter 11 filing, Blockbuster said it would keep its 3,300 stores open; however, that December it announced it would close an additional 182 stores by the end of April 2011 in attempts to emerge from bankruptcy. It was reported in February 2011 that Blockbuster and its creditors had not come up with a Chapter 11 exit plan and that the company would be sold for $300 million or more, along with taking over debts and leases. Blockbuster admitted that it might not be able to meet financial obligations required under its Chapter 11 filing, a circumstance which could mandate conversion of the bankruptcy filing to Chapter 7 (liquidation). On March 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a claim disclosing that Blockbuster did not have the funds to continue reorganizing and should liquidate.

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~~operations on March 8, 2009.~~

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On March 28, 2011, South Korean telecommunications company SK Telecom made a surprise bid to buy Blockbuster. Dish Network had also expressed interest in bidding, as did Carl Icahn, despite calling Blockbuster "the worst investment I ever made". Dish eventually won the auction on April 6, 2011, agreeing to buy Blockbuster for $320 million and the assumption of $87 million in liabilities and other obligations. On April 19, 2011, it was announced that Dish would keep only 500 Blockbuster stores open. The acquisition was completed on April 26, 2011. In April 2011, Dish Network told the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that it needed more time to negotiate with landlords in an effort to keep more than 600 Blockbuster stores open.

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~~At the beginning of 2010, Blockbuster had over 6,500 stores, of which 4,000 were in the U.S.— a number that fell to 3,425 in late October the same year. In the United~~

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~~States it planned to close between 810 and 960 retail stores, and instead launch as many as 10,000 "Blockbuster Express" video rental kiosks by the middle of 2010. It has~~

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~~been claimed that more than 43 million U.S. households had Blockbuster memberships.~~

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~~On February 10, 2010, Blockbuster announced that it would cease all its operations in Portugal, closing down 17 outlets and leaving over 100 workers unemployed. Blockbuster~~

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~~representatives in Portugal blamed internet piracy and the lack of government response to it as the key factors to the company's failure in the country.~~

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~~In March 2010, Blockbuster began "Additional Daily Rates", or "ADRs", for rentals not returned by their due date in the United States, having already used this procedure in~~

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~~other countries such as the UK for many years. An ADR was charged for each day a member kept the rental beyond the rental terms.~~

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~~On March 12, 2010, [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]], Blockbuster's independent registered public accounting firm, issued its audit opinion disclosing substantial doubt about~~

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~~Blockbuster's ability to continue as a [[going concern]]. This report was included in Blockbusters's 10-K SEC filing. On March 17, 2010, Blockbuster issued a bankruptcy~~

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~~warning after continued drops in revenue threatened its ability to service its nearly $1 billion debt load. By April 1, 2010, Carl Icahn had resigned from Blockbuster's~~

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~~board of directors and sold nearly all his remaining Blockbuster stock. Blockbuster paired up with Time Warner to have Warner Bros. movies made available in Blockbuster~~

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~~stores on the DVD release date and not be subject to a four-week delay. Similar agreements were also made with Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox.~~

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~~The liquidation of [[Movie Gallery]] began in May 2010, eliminating Blockbuster's primary competitor. During the same month a dissident shareholder, Gregory S. Meyer, in an~~

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~~effort to be elected to Blockbuster's board of directors, engaged in a proxy battle with Blockbuster's board, alleging that the board had been responsible for significant~~

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~~destruction of value to shareholders. Meyer was elected to the board at Blockbuster's shareholder meeting in Dallas on June 24, 2010.~~

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~~On July 1, 2010, the company was delisted from the [[New York Stock Exchange]] after its shareholders failed to pass a [[reverse stock split]] plan aimed at heading off~~

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~~involuntary delisting because of the stock's trading at well below $1 per share. The stock was then traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (over-the-counter bulletin board).~~

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~~Blockbuster was unable to make a $42.4 million interest payment to bondholders and was given until August 13, 2010, to pay off the debt. The company hired Jeff Stegenga to~~

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~~be its chief restructuring officer (CRO) in an effort to satisfy bondholder demands and recapitalize the company. After failing to pay on August 13, bondholders gave~~

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~~Blockbuster until September 30, 2010.~~

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~~On August 26, 2010, news media reported that Blockbuster was planning to file a pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-September. In light of this news, the company's~~

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~~chief financial officer (CFO), Tom Casey, resigned on September 11. He was replaced by Dennis McGill, formerly CFO of Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. On September 23, 2010,~~

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~~Blockbuster filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection]] due to challenging losses, $900 million in debt, and strong competition~~

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~~from [[Netflix]], [[Redbox]], and video on-demand services. Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video had filed for Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code bankruptcy liquidation~~

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~~earlier in 2010 for similar reasons.~~

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~~At the time of its Chapter 11 filing, Blockbuster said it would keep its 3,300 stores open;<ref name=USATodayUpForSale/> however, that December it announced it would close~~

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~~an additional 182 stores by the end of April 2011 in attempts to emerge from bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blockbuster plans to close 182 stores by April |~~

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~~url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40753485 |agency=Reuters |date=December 20, 2010 |accessdate=December 29, 2010}}</ref> It was reported in February 2011 that Blockbuster and~~

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~~its creditors had not come up with a Chapter 11 exit plan and that the company would be sold for $300 million or more, along with taking over debts and leases. Blockbuster~~

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~~admitted that it might not be able to meet financial obligations required under its Chapter 11 filing, a circumstance which could mandate conversion of the bankruptcy~~

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~~filing to Chapter 7 (liquidation). On March 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a claim disclosing that Blockbuster did not have the funds to continue~~

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~~reorganizing and should liquidate.~~

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On March 28, 2011, South Korean telecommunications company SK Telecom made a surprise bid to buy Blockbuster.

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[[Dish Network]] had also expressed interest in bidding, as did Carl Icahn, despite calling Blockbuster "the worst investment I ever made". Dish eventually won the auction

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on April 6, 2011, agreeing to buy Blockbuster for $320 million and the assumption of $87 million in liabilities and other obligations.~~<ref name="Fritz"/>~~ On April 19, 2011,

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it was announced that Dish would keep only 500 Blockbuster stores open. The acquisition was completed on April 26, 2011. In April 2011, Dish Network told the U.S.

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Bankruptcy Court that it needed more time to negotiate with landlords in an effort to keep more than 600 Blockbuster stores open.

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~~In April 2011, Blockbuster's landlords objected to its assumption of leases that it sought to assign to soon-to-be-owner Dish Network Corp., claiming that they did not have~~

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~~adequate assurance that the new owner would honor those leases. Blockbuster signed a deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment to launch ITV Programmes released on DVDs,~~

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~~Blu-rays, etc~~.

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In April 2011, Blockbuster's landlords objected to its assumption of leases that it sought to assign to soon-to-be-owner Dish Network Corp., claiming that they did not have adequate assurance that the new owner would honor those leases. Blockbuster signed a deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment to launch ITV Programmes released on DVDs, Blu-rays, etc.

===2011–2015: Michael Kelly era===

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On May 6, 2011, Keyes resigned as Blockbuster's CEO, being replaced by Michael Kelly under the new title of president. On August 31, 2011, the liquidators announced the

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On May 6, 2011, Keyes resigned as Blockbuster's CEO, being replaced by Michael Kelly under the new title of president. On August 31, 2011, the liquidators announced the closure of the remaining 253 Canadian stores and shutting of the entire Canadian unit.

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closure of the remaining 253 Canadian stores and shutting of the entire Canadian unit.

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~~In September 2011, it was announced that Blockbuster and Dish Network would launch a new service called Blockbuster Movie Pass that would compete with Netflix. For US$10~~

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~~per month the members would have access to both a streaming service and movies and games-by-mail. The package was only available for subscribers of Dish Network's pay-TV~~

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service, and it eventually folded.

+

In September 2011, it was announced that Blockbuster and Dish Network would launch a new service called Blockbuster Movie Pass that would compete with Netflix. For US$10 per month the members would have access to both a streaming service and movies and games-by-mail. The package was only available for subscribers of Dish Network's pay-TV service, and it eventually folded.

−

On January 13, 2012, Dish CEO Aaron Kask announced that while Dish had planned to keep 90% of the stores in operation, meaning around 15,000 employees would remain

+

On January 13, 2012, Dish CEO Aaron Kask announced that while Dish had planned to keep 90% of the stores in operation, meaning around 15,000 employees would remain employed, because of market factors "there are ones that aren't going to make it. We will close unprofitable stores. We will close additional stores." Kask did not say when these additional closings would happen and only remarked that some stores were unprofitable. The Dish chief would not say which stores the company was planning to close, but that each potential closing was to be assessed on a "case by case basis".

−

employed, because of market factors "there are ones that aren't going to make it. We will close unprofitable stores. We will close additional stores." Kask did not say when

−

these additional closings would happen and only remarked that some stores were unprofitable. The Dish chief would not say which stores the company was planning to close,

−

but that each potential closing was to be assessed on a "case by case basis".

On October 4, 2012, Dish Network announced that it was scrapping plans to make Blockbuster into a [[Netflix]] competitor.

−

On January 16, 2013, Blockbuster UK entered into administration and Deloitte was appointed to run the business while trying to find a buyer while some of the stores

+

On January 16, 2013, Blockbuster UK entered into administration and Deloitte was appointed to run the business while trying to find a buyer while some of the stores remained open. Between November 6, 2013, and January 12, 2014, all 300 remaining corporate-owned Blockbuster stores in the U.S. were closed and the DVD-by-mail program was shut down.

−

remained open. Between November 6, 2013, and January 12, 2014, all 300 remaining corporate-owned Blockbuster stores in the U.S. were closed and the DVD-by-mail program was

−

shut down.

===2015–present: post-Kelly era===

−

The company still maintained its Blockbuster on Demand video streaming service along with a Blockbuster@Home television package for Dish Network subscribers until 2015,

+

The company still maintained its Blockbuster on Demand video streaming service along with a Blockbuster@Home television package for Dish Network subscribers until 2015, when both were replaced by DISH Network's own brand of on Demand video streaming service, the DISH Movie Pack. The company's continued decline was attributed to poor leadership according to others in the industry. Ken Tisher, owner of one of the few remaining Blockbuster stores, said, "Blockbuster, if it isn't already, is going to go into the Harvard Business Review for how not to run a business, or how to run a business into the ground." Keith Hoogland, owner of Family Video, said a lot of poor decisions was a primary reason the company did not survive. Dan Rayburn of StreamingMedia.com stated that "everything about Blockbuster was set up to fail". Jonathan Salem Baskin, a former Blockbuster marketing communications executive, said, "Digital would have changed Blockbuster's business, for sure, but it wasn't its killer. That credit belongs to Blockbuster itself."

−

when both were replaced by DISH Network's own brand of on Demand video streaming service, the DISH Movie Pack. The company's continued decline was attributed to poor

−

leadership according to others in the industry. Ken Tisher, owner of one of the few remaining Blockbuster stores, said, "Blockbuster, if it isn't already, is going to go

−

into the Harvard Business Review for how not to run a business, or how to run a business into the ground." Keith Hoogland, owner of Family Video, said a lot of poor

−

decisions was a primary reason the company did not survive. Dan Rayburn of StreamingMedia.com stated that "everything about Blockbuster was set up to fail". Jonathan Salem

−

Baskin, a former Blockbuster marketing communications executive, said, "Digital would have changed Blockbuster's business, for sure, but it wasn't its killer. That credit

−

belongs to Blockbuster itself."

[[File:Interior of last Blockbuster Video.jpg|thumb|Blockbuster in [[Bend, Oregon]]]]

−

Blockbuster store closures aroused considerable nostalgia and "would draw crowds of more than 100, as customers came to buy movies in the store’s inventory they couldn’t

+

Blockbuster store closures aroused considerable nostalgia and "would draw crowds of more than 100, as customers came to buy movies in the store’s inventory they couldn’t find anywhere else and revisited memories of shopping at Blockbuster". Originally reported by the Blockbuster Fan Page, just one store was left open as of March 2019 in [[Bend, Oregon]]. The store houses [[Russell Crowe]] movie props which John Oliver had donated to an Alaska store. A documentary that was still currently in production by two Bend filmmakers, had a goal to get their film "on the shelf at Blockbuster while there still is one." The Bend store has attracted visitors from around the world as a "living history museum" as the video rental store was "once a mundane feature of everyday life [but] is now a retro novelty experience".

−

find anywhere else and revisited memories of shopping at Blockbuster". Originally reported by the Blockbuster Fan Page, just one store was left open as of March 2019 in

−

[[Bend, Oregon]]. The store houses [[Russell Crowe]] movie props which John Oliver had donated to an Alaska store. A documentary that was still currently in production by

−

two Bend filmmakers, had a goal to get their film "on the shelf at Blockbuster while there still is one." The Bend store has attracted visitors from around the world as a

−

"living history museum" as the video rental store was "once a mundane feature of everyday life [but] is now a retro novelty experience".

===The Last Blockbuster===

−

To this day there is still one stand alone Blockbuster Video store in business. The store for all intensive purposes ~~loooks~~ like the real classic stores and has much of the

+

To this day there is still one stand alone Blockbuster Video store in business. The store for all intensive purposes looks like the real classic stores and has much of the same merchandise and of course movie, television, and video game rentals, but is privately owned, franchised.

−

same ~~mechandise~~ and of course movie, television, and video game rentals, but is privately owned, franchised.

A documentary on the last remaining Blockbuster Video in Bend, Oregon was released by Production Companies Popmotion Pictures and September Club on July 7, 2019.

===Blockbuster-Pop-Up Location at Japan LA in little-tokyo of Los Angeles, California===

−

[[File:Blockbuster-Pop-Up Location at Japan LA-little-tokyo in Los Angeles, California.jpg|thumb|The Summer 2019 Blockbuster-Pop-Up Location at Japan LA in little-tokyo of

+

[[File:Blockbuster-Pop-Up Location at Japan LA-little-tokyo in Los Angeles, California.jpg|thumb|The Summer 2019 Blockbuster-Pop-Up Location at Japan LA in little-tokyo of [[Los Angeles,California]]]]

−

+

From July 12-14 2019 The storefont location of Japan LA in little-tokyo of Los Angeles, California opened its doors from 12pm until 8pm Pacific standard time. Notably this was the first time on record where a blockbuster location didn't close at it's business as usual customery midnight closing time, not including major holiday exceptions.

−

[[Los Angeles,California]]]]

+

You could RSVP your intended plans to be present on their website or phone app in an effort to gauge the popularity and so the operators could plan on how many guests they would received in addition to marketing the three day event. Streetwear brand Dumbgood partnered with Blockbuster via this pop-up in Los Angeles, as well as bringing their merchandise to ComplexCon 2019.

−

From July 12-14 2019 The storefont location of Japan LA in little-tokyo of Los Angeles, California opened its doors from 12pm until 8pm Pacific standard time. Notably this

−

was the first time on record where a blockbuster location ~~didnt~~ close at it's business as usual customery midnight closing time, not including major holiday exceptions.

−

You could RSVP your intended plans to be present on their website or phone app in an effort to ~~guage~~ the popularity and so the operators could plan on how many guests they

−

would ~~recieved~~ in addition to marketing the three day event.

−

~~[[File:~~Blockbuster-~~POP-UP Phone app to RSVP - July 12-14 2019~~ in Los Angeles ~~California.jpg|thumb|Blockbuster-POP-UP Phone app~~ to ~~RSVP - July 12-14~~ 2019 ~~in [[Los~~

−

~~Angeles,California]]]]~~

+

===Blockbuster-Pop-Up Location in SoHo neighborhood of New York City===

+

Streetwear brand Dumbgood partnered with Blockbuster, which is still owned by Dish Network, for an apparel collection available online, and is currently being sold at a pop-up shop in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. Amelia Muqbel Dumbgood’s co-founder and creative director, stated “We wanted to both recreate part of a Blockbuster but then also have enough room for all of our merchandise, and just have everything have its own place and time to shine,”. Stepping into the pop-up, ‘90s fans are instantly transported back to the iconic video rental store. Tall shelves of VHS tapes are visible, and a popcorn aroma wafts through the air. The 15-piece collection was displayed throughout the store as a followup to the L.A. Pop-up earlier in July.

==Business model==

−

The standard business model for video rental stores had traditionally been to pay a large flat fee per video, approximately $65, and offer unlimited rentals for the

+

The standard business model for video rental stores had traditionally been to pay a large flat fee per video, approximately $65, and offer unlimited rentals for the lifetime of the medium itself. Sumner Redstone, whose Viacom conglomerate then owned Blockbuster, personally pioneered a new revenue-sharing arrangement for video in the mid-1980s. Blockbuster obtained videos for little cost and kept 60% of the rental fee, paying the other 40% to the studio, and reporting rental information through Rentrak.

−

+

In addition to benefiting from a lower initial price, Blockbuster also capitalized on the fact that movies were generally not available for purchase at affordable price points during initial release periods. Thus customers had a choice to rent, wait, or buy the film on tape at the much higher Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price targeted at other rental chains and film enthusiasts, which at that time ranged between $70–$100 per title. Prior to 2002 Blockbuster has said late fees account for 15 percent of its revenue as part of it's business model.

−

lifetime of the medium itself. Sumner Redstone, whose Viacom conglomerate then owned Blockbuster, personally pioneered a new revenue-sharing arrangement for video in the

−

mid-1980s. Blockbuster obtained videos for little cost and kept 60% of the rental fee, paying the other 40% to the studio, and reporting rental information through Rentrak.

−

In addition to benefiting from a lower initial price, Blockbuster also capitalized on the fact that movies were generally not available for purchase at affordable price

−

points during initial release periods. Thus customers had a choice to rent, wait, or buy the film on tape at the much higher Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price targeted

−

at other rental chains and film enthusiasts, which at that time ranged between $70–$100 per title. Prior to 2002 Blockbuster has said late fees account for 15 percent of

−

its revenue as part of it's business model.

===Tests Plan to Offer Unlimited Rentals for Fixed Fee===

−

In 2002 The Wall Street Journal reported Blockbuster Video's plan in the 2002 summer to test a subscription service allowing consumers to rent all they can watch for a

+

In 2002 The Wall Street Journal reported Blockbuster Video's plan in the 2002 summer to test a subscription service allowing consumers to rent all they can watch for a fixed monthly fee, the company's most direct response yet to the threat posed by various direct-to-home video services on cable and satellite television systems.

−

+

The 2002 test was in two markets that would give its customers more flexibility in choosing and watching movies. One proposed subscription service would let consumers pay a fixed price such as $19.99 or $29.99 a month to rent a limited number of movies simultaneously and keep them for as long as they like, with no late charges. After returning the movies, subscribers could take out more movies, allowing them to watch as many as they want for the same fixed price. The service is virtually identical to one operated since 1999 by Netflix Inc., which says it serves more than 600,000 subscribers, providing only DVDs and using the mail rather than physical stores. Blockbuster denied its plans were a reaction to Netflix's service.

−

fixed monthly fee, the company's most direct response yet to the threat posed by various direct-to-home video services on cable and satellite television systems.

+

Blockbuster also planed to test another variation of the subscription service, in which consumers would paid a flat annual fee of $49.99 for the right to keep movies they have rented for several weeks without paying late fees. Under this plan, consumers still would pay at the counter for each individual movie (an average of $3.75 for a new-release movie).

−

The 2002 test was in two markets that would give its customers more flexibility in choosing and watching movies. One proposed subscription service would let consumers pay a

−

fixed price such as $19.99 or $29.99 a month to rent a limited number of movies simultaneously and keep them for as long as they like, with no late charges. After returning

−

the movies, subscribers could take out more movies, allowing them to watch as many as they want for the same fixed price. The service is virtually identical to one operated

−

since 1999 by Netflix Inc., which says it serves more than 600,000 subscribers, providing only DVDs and using the mail rather than physical stores. Blockbuster denied its

−

plans were a reaction to Netflix's service.

−

Blockbuster also planed to test another variation of the subscription service, in which consumers would paid a flat annual fee of $49.99 for the right to keep movies they

−

have rented for several weeks without paying late fees. Under this plan, consumers still would pay at the counter for each individual movie (an average of $3.75 for a new-

−

release movie).

===Quantity and selection of titles===

−

Blockbuster stores followed a strategy of emphasizing access to the most popular new releases, obtaining early access and stocking many copies of the new-release titles,

+

Blockbuster stores followed a strategy of emphasizing access to the most popular new releases, obtaining early access and stocking many copies of the new-release titles, with a relatively smaller depth of selection than traditional independent video stores. Much of the shelf space in the stores was devoted to popular titles that were placed relatively sparsely on the shelves with the entire front cover visible, so customers could browse casually and quickly, rather than having a more diverse selection with fewer copies of each title. Blockbuster sometimes contracted with studios to obtain earlier access to new titles than other companies could achieve. Examples of such contracts were those in which Blockbuster became the exclusive rental chain for new releases from the World Wrestling Federation (now known as WWE), Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Studios, The Weinstein Company, Miramax, Lionsgate, [[Disney]], 20th Century Fox, [[MGM]], [[Sony]], Image Entertainment, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema and Allumination FilmWorks. As one commentator complained, "Blockbuster was once an unstoppable giant whose franchises swept across the country putting mom and pop video stores out of business left and right by offering a larger selection of new releases, pricing them at a lower point due to the volume they worked in... Gone were the fragmented, independently owned shops that were often unorganized treasure troves of VHS discoveries. In their place were walls of new releases: hundreds of copies of a small handful of films. Everyone watching the same thing, everyone developing the same limited set of expectations... They put focus entirely on what was new rather than on discovering film history ..."

+

When a title was no longer a new release, each store would retain a few copies of it and typically sell off the rest as "previously viewed" or as employees called them "PVT's" aka "previously viewed tapes" for discounted prices. Older movies would be re-categorized as "Blockbuster Favorite" titles and placed in a different area of the store.Most Blockbuster locations also accepted trade-ins of used movies, TV shows, and games.

−

~~with a relatively smaller depth of selection than traditional independent video stores. Much of the shelf space in the stores was devoted to popular titles that were placed~~

+

===Blockbuster video, Christianity and Family oriented content dilemma===

−

+

Since Blockbuster's founding in 1985, the chain refused to stock Pornographic adult films in order to portray the brand as family-friendly. However, the company did carry Motion Picture Association of America film rating system-R-rated and unrated films. [[Christian]] youth groups and even Christian patrons would see Pamela Anderson's Unrated version of "Barb Wire", Unrated version of "Live Nude Girls", and the 1995 American coming-of-age film "Kids", which received an NC-17 rating from the MPAA, but was later released at Blockbuster Video without a rating under critical responses from Christians and family organizations.

−

~~relatively sparsely on the shelves with the entire front cover visible, so customers could browse casually and quickly, rather than having a more diverse selection with~~

+

The 1988 Martin Scorsese film "The Last Temptation of Christ" was condemned by virtually every Christian denomination...was protested, picketed, subject to boycotts and bomb threats, and excluded from the titles carried by the Blockbuster Video chains.

−

~~fewer copies of each title. Blockbuster sometimes contracted with studios to obtain earlier access to new titles than other companies could achieve. Examples of such~~

−

~~contracts were those in which Blockbuster became the exclusive rental chain for new releases from the World Wrestling Federation (now known as WWE), Paramount Pictures,~~

−

~~DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Studios, The Weinstein Company, Miramax, Lionsgate, [[Disney]], 20th Century Fox, [[MGM]], [[Sony]], Image Entertainment, Warner Bros., New~~

−

~~Line Cinema and Allumination FilmWorks. As one commentator complained, "Blockbuster was once an unstoppable giant whose franchises swept across the country putting mom and~~

−

~~pop video stores out of business left and right by offering a larger selection of new releases, pricing them at a lower point due to the volume they worked in... Gone were~~

−

~~the fragmented, independently owned shops that were often unorganized treasure troves of VHS discoveries. In their place were walls of new releases: hundreds of copies of a~~

−

~~small handful of films. Everyone watching the same thing, everyone developing the same limited set of expectations... They put focus entirely on what was new rather than on~~

−

~~discovering film history ..."~~

−

~~When a title was no longer a new release, each store would retain a few copies of it and typically sell off the rest as "previously viewed" or as employees called them~~

−

~~"PVT's" aka "previously viewed tapes" for discounted prices. Older movies would be re-categorized as "Blockbuster Favorite" titles and placed in a different area of the~~

−

~~store.~~

−

~~Most Blockbuster locations also accepted trade-ins of used movies, TV shows, and games.~~

−

===Blockbuster video, Christianity and Family oriented ~~delima~~===

−

Since Blockbuster's founding in 1985, the chain refused to stock Pornographic adult films in order to portray the brand as family-friendly. However, the company did carry

−

Motion Picture Association of America film rating system-R-rated and unrated films. [[Christian]] youth groups and even Christian patrons would see Pamela Anderson's

−

Unrated version of "Barb Wire", Unrated version of "Live Nude Girls", and the 1995 American coming-of-age film "Kids", which received an NC-17 rating from the MPAA, but was

−

later released at Blockbuster Video without a rating under critical responses from Christians and family organizations.

−

The 1988 Martin Scorsese film "The Last Temptation of Christ" was condemned by virtually every Christian denomination...was protested, picketed, subject to boycotts and

−

bomb threats, and excluded from the titles carried by the Blockbuster Video chains.

==Other ventures==

===Blockbuster Entertainment Awards===

−

Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. ran an awards show annually from 1995 to 2001 called the ''Blockbuster Entertainment Awards''. In November 2001, Blockbuster announced that

+

Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. ran an awards show annually from 1995 to 2001 called the ''Blockbuster Entertainment Awards''. In November 2001, Blockbuster announced that it would cancel the 2002 award show following concerns about viewership and celebrity attendance after the September 11 attacks.

−

it would cancel the 2002 award show following concerns about viewership and celebrity attendance after the [[September 11 attacks]].

===Blockbuster Express===

−

Blockbuster Express was a movie-rental kiosk brand sublicensed for use by [[licensee~~]] [[~~NCR Corporation]]. In 2011, nearly 10,000 Blockbuster Express kiosks were in

+

Blockbuster Express was a movie-rental kiosk brand sublicensed for use by licensee NCR Corporation. In 2011, nearly 10,000 Blockbuster Express kiosks were in operation. Apart from the license to use the Blockbuster brand name, Blockbuster Express kiosks are unrelated to Blockbuster LLC, its stores, its DVD-by-mail service, or its online streaming service.

−

operation. Apart from the license to use the Blockbuster brand name, Blockbuster Express kiosks are unrelated to Blockbuster LLC, its stores, its DVD-by-mail service, or

−

its online streaming service.

The names ''Blockbuster Express'' and ''Blockbuster Video Express'' had also been used for certain Blockbuster retail stores in the United Kingdom.

===GameRush===

−

In the summer of 2003, Blockbuster started converting some stores to GameRush stores. These stores sold and bought DVDs, games, game consoles, and accessories. GameRush was

+

In the summer of 2003, Blockbuster started converting some stores to GameRush stores. These stores sold and bought DVDs, games, game consoles, and accessories. GameRush was positioned as a direct competitor to stores such as GameStop and Game Crazy. Blockbuster used its location status to get instant coverage; it also promoted these stores by hosting video-game tournaments, special trade-in offers, and a more 'hip' look to the selection and staff. However, when Blockbuster introduced the discontinuation of late fees, GameRush was put on the chopping block. In April 2007, GameRush stores were reduced back to just a games section.

−

positioned as a direct competitor to stores such as [[GameStop]] and Game Crazy. Blockbuster used its location status to get instant coverage; it also promoted these stores

−

by hosting video-game tournaments, special trade-in offers, and a more 'hip' look to the selection and staff. However, when Blockbuster introduced the discontinuation of

−

late fees, GameRush was put on the chopping block. In April 2007, GameRush stores were reduced back to just a games section.

===Discovery Zone===

−

In 1993, Blockbuster invested in the indoor kids play restaurant Discovery Zone. In 1995, Blockbuster bought more stock to take control of the company. Discovery Zone

+

In 1993, Blockbuster invested in the indoor kids play restaurant Discovery Zone. In 1995, Blockbuster bought more stock to take control of the company. Discovery Zone abruptly closed half of its locations in 1999 and sold thirteen others to the parent company of [[Chuck E. Cheese's]]. The rest of the Discovery Zone locations closed in December 2001.

−

abruptly closed half of its locations in 1999 and sold thirteen others to the parent company of [[Chuck E. Cheese's]]. The rest of the Discovery Zone locations closed in

−

December 2001.

==International operations==

===Australia===

−

In Australia, the first Blockbuster store was opened in 1991 in [[Melbourne]]. In 1992, the Virgin Group and Blockbuster Inc entered into a joint venture to set up

+

In Australia, the first Blockbuster store was opened in 1991 in [[Melbourne]]. In 1992, the Virgin Group and Blockbuster Inc entered into a joint venture to set up Australia's first Virgin Megastores in [[Sydney]], Melbourne, and [[Adelaide]]. This lasted until Virgin sold its interest in the six stores to Blockbuster, which promptly rebranded them in 1993 as Blockbuster Music. In 1994, Australian store numbers rose to 54 with the acquisition of Major Video and Focus chains in both Victoria (Australia) and South Australia. In 1995, the growth continued with the opening of the 100th video store in the country. By the end of 1998, Blockbuster Australia opened over 125 stores. In July 1998, Blockbuster Australia launched into franchising with the conversion of the former Video Flicks franchise group in [[Queensland]], and the former Movieland group in Western Australia six months later. Also in 1998, the company sold its last two Australian Blockbuster Music stores in Pitt Street, Sydney, and Chapel Street, Melbourne to Brazin Limited, which incorporated them under its Sanity Entertainment brand. Throughout 1999 and 2000, Blockbuster Australia quickly expanded its franchise store network through the conversion of smaller groups and the granting of individual franchises. Before 2005, this was done through the acquisition of the Movies Plus Group and the conversion of some individual Movies 4U and Movieland outlets.

−

Australia's first [[Virgin Megastores]] in [[Sydney]], Melbourne, and [[Adelaide]]. This lasted until Virgin sold its interest in the six stores to Blockbuster, which

−

promptly rebranded them in 1993 as Blockbuster Music. In 1994, Australian store numbers rose to 54 with the acquisition of Major Video and Focus chains in both Victoria

−

(Australia) and South Australia. In 1995, the growth continued with the opening of the 100th video store in the country. By the end of 1998, Blockbuster Australia opened

−

over 125 stores. In July 1998, Blockbuster Australia launched into franchising with the conversion of the former Video Flicks franchise group in [[Queensland]], and the

−

former Movieland group in Western Australia six months later. Also in 1998, the company sold its last two Australian Blockbuster Music stores in [[Pitt Street]], Sydney,

−

and ~~Chapel Street~~, ~~Melbourne~~ to ~~Brazin Limited~~, ~~which incorporated them under~~ its ~~Sanity~~ Entertainment ~~brand~~. ~~Throughout 1999 and 2000, Blockbuster Australia quickly~~

+

In February 2007, Blockbuster sold its entire Australian store network to Video Ezy Australasia Pty Ltd. At the time, Blockbuster Australia comprised 370 outlets nationwide—29 owned by the company and 341 owned by franchisees. Video Ezy had 518 Australian outlets, all of them being owned by franchisees, pushing the combined group's market share to 40% of the country's video rental sector. Video Ezy committed to the master franchise agreement with Blockbuster for 10 years operating the brand with the possibility of renewal for a further 10 years after that. As a consequence of the deal, the company changed its name from Video Ezy Australasia Pty Ltd to Franchise Entertainment Group (FEG).

−

~~expanded~~ its ~~franchise store network through the conversion of smaller groups~~ and the ~~granting of~~ individual ~~franchises~~. ~~Before 2005~~, ~~this was done through~~ the ~~acquisition~~

+

In October 2010, FEG transferred control of the Video Ezy Australia and Blockbuster Australia online businesses to its newly acquired and reorganized company, Élan Media Partners, leaving FEG to manage the franchise relationships with individual Video Ezy/Blockbuster outlets. However, since the two brands came together, the network has shrunk, reflected in Video Ezy/Blockbuster franchises closing 270 stores across Australia in the four years to August 2011.

−

~~of the Movies Plus Group and the conversion of some individual Movies 4U and Movieland outlets.~~

+

Additional store closings would go on for several years, until all the stores in Australia had closed, although vending kiosks with the Blockbuster logo were in operation. Australia's last Blockbuster store, in Morley, Western Australia, was closed at the end of March 2019.

−

~~In February 2007, Blockbuster sold its entire Australian store network to Video Ezy Australasia Pty Ltd. At the time, Blockbuster Australia comprised 370 outlets~~

−

~~nationwide—29 owned by the company and 341 owned by franchisees. Video Ezy had 518 Australian outlets, all of them being owned by franchisees, pushing the combined group's~~

−

~~[[market share]] to 40% of the country's video rental sector. Video Ezy committed to the master franchise agreement with Blockbuster for 10 years operating the brand with~~

−

~~the possibility of renewal for a further 10 years after that. As a consequence of the deal, the company changed its name from Video Ezy Australasia Pty Ltd to Franchise~~

−

~~Entertainment Group (FEG).~~

−

~~In October 2010, FEG transferred control of the Video Ezy Australia and Blockbuster Australia online businesses to its newly acquired and reorganized company, Élan Media~~

−

~~Partners, leaving FEG to manage the franchise relationships with individual Video Ezy/Blockbuster outlets. However, since the two brands came together, the network has~~

−

~~shrunk, reflected in Video Ezy/Blockbuster franchises closing 270 stores across Australia in the four years to August 2011.~~

−

Additional store closings would go on for several years, until all the stores in Australia had closed, although vending kiosks with the Blockbuster logo were in operation.

−

Australia's last Blockbuster store, in Morley, Western Australia, was closed at the end of March 2019.

===Brazil===

−

Blockbuster was the largest video rental chain in the country, but finances were not good enough due to high rental prices. [[Lojas Americanas]], the largest Brazilian

+

Blockbuster was the largest video rental chain in the country, but finances were not good enough due to high rental prices. Lojas Americanas, the largest Brazilian department store, acquired half of the shares and now it is named under "Americanas Express Blockbuster". The store layout was similar to a regular American store with a Game Rush, but instead of games it offers electronics goods like computers and DVD players, groceries like candies and microwave popcorn, and even toys from Mattel and Hasbro's board games. In January 2007, when Blockbuster had 127 stores across Brazil, it sold its Brazilian stake for $87.4 million and gave Lojas Americanas exclusive rights to the Blockbuster brand in the country for 20 years. The average store has an interior on about 400 m2, where 80-100 m2 is dedicated to movies.

−

department store, acquired half of the shares and now it is named under "Americanas Express Blockbuster". The store layout was similar to a regular American store with a

−

Game Rush, but instead of games it offers electronics goods like computers and DVD players, groceries like candies and microwave popcorn, and even toys from [[Mattel]] and

−

Hasbro's board games. In January 2007, when Blockbuster had 127 stores across Brazil, it sold its Brazilian stake for $87.4 million and gave Lojas Americanas exclusive

−

rights to the Blockbuster brand in the country for 20 years. The average store has an interior on about 400 m2, where 80-100 m2 is dedicated to movies.

===Canada===

−

In Canada, Blockbuster Canada (established in 1990) had operated independently, and it initially remained financially stable. It began a partnership with Wind Mobile in

+

In Canada, Blockbuster Canada (established in 1990) had operated independently, and it initially remained financially stable. It began a partnership with Wind Mobile in December 2009, selling mobile phones at all stores in cities where Wind's service was available. Phone sales began in [[Toronto]] and [[Calgary]], later expanding to other cities with Wind coverage. Some stores even featured a full Wind "store-in-a-store" for postpaid activation's and a larger selection of devices. However, on May 3, 2011, it was announced that the company had gone into receivership. On May 25, 2011, it was announced that 146 stores, accounting for approximately 35% of the company's stores in Canada, would be shut down effective June 18, 2011. On August 31, 2011, Blockbuster Canada announced that no buyer could be found for its remaining stores that were acceptable to the court-appointed bankruptcy receiver, and that it would wind down operations and close all stores by December 31, 2011. The company had acted as a guarantor towards Blockbuster's remaining debt.

−

December 2009, selling mobile phones at all stores in cities where Wind's service was available. Phone sales began in [[Toronto]] and [[Calgary]], later expanding to other

−

cities with Wind coverage. Some stores even featured a full Wind "store-in-a-store" for postpaid ~~activations~~ and a larger selection of devices. However, on May 3, 2011,

−

it was announced that the company had gone into receivership. On May 25, 2011, it was announced that 146 stores, accounting for approximately 35% of the company's stores

−

in Canada, would be shut down effective June 18, 2011. On August 31, 2011, Blockbuster Canada announced that no buyer could be found for its remaining stores that were

−

acceptable to the court-appointed bankruptcy receiver, and that it would wind down operations and close all stores by December 31, 2011. The company had acted as a

−

guarantor towards Blockbuster's remaining debt.

===Denmark===

−

Blockbuster came to Denmark in 1996 with the acquisition of the 29 Christianshavn video stores. In 2009 they were on its peak with 72 stores across the country.Blockbuster

+

Blockbuster came to Denmark in 1996 with the acquisition of the 29 Christianshavn video stores. In 2009 they were on its peak with 72 stores across the country.Blockbuster Video Denmark sold the rights for the Blockbuster brand to the Danish telecommunications corporation TDC in 2013, excluding the 46 remaining brick and mortar stores which continued as RecycleIT A/S, diversifying in refurbishing and reselling consumer electronics in addition sale and rental of games and movies. The original goal was to rename all the stores before July 1, 2014, when TDC would get the exclusive rights to the brand name in Denmark, but only 12 of them had been renamed at the end of June and RecycleIT A/S filed for bankruptcy the same year. The 12 RecycleIT stores were bought by the company Blue City. The new owners planned to gradually phase out game and movie sales and rental within 2016, but due to the fast changes in the market it happened almost immediately after the takeover, and seven of the stores, therefore, closed in 2015. In 2017, the five remaining ones had started to make some profit, and focus exclusively on second-hand consumer electronics.

−

+

However, the Blockbuster On Demand service is still active in Nordic Countries, offering both unlimited streaming and 48-hour rental of films online. Several Smart TVs have the Blockbuster app pre-installed out-of-the-box, and it is available on a variety of streaming devices such as Google's Chromecast.

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Video Denmark sold the rights for the Blockbuster brand to the Danish telecommunications corporation TDC in 2013, excluding the 46 remaining brick and mortar stores which

−

continued as RecycleIT A/S, diversifying in refurbishing and reselling consumer electronics in addition sale and rental of games and movies. The original goal was to rename

−

all the stores before July 1, 2014, when TDC would get the exclusive rights to the brand name in Denmark, but only 12 of them had been renamed at the end of June and

−

RecycleIT A/S filed for bankruptcy the same year. The 12 RecycleIT stores were bought by the company Blue City. The new owners planned to gradually phase out game and movie

−

sales and rental within 2016, but due to the fast changes in the market it happened almost immediately after the takeover, and seven of the stores, therefore, closed in

−

2015. In 2017, the five remaining ones had started to make some profit, and focus exclusively on second-hand consumer electronics.

−

However, the Blockbuster On Demand service is still active in Nordic Countries, offering both unlimited streaming and 48-hour rental of films online. Several [[Smart ~~TV]]s~~

−

have the Blockbuster app pre-installed out-of-the-box, and it is available on a variety of streaming devices such as Google's Chromecast.

===Germany===

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Blockbuster opened 20 stores in Berlin and Munich and announced plans to open 250 more. The chain presented itself as family-friendly by not renting pornographic films.

+

Blockbuster opened 20 stores in Berlin and Munich and announced plans to open 250 more. The chain presented itself as family-friendly by not renting pornographic films. However, that decision adversely affected the profitability of the stores. Blockbuster left the German market in 1997.

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However, that decision adversely affected the profitability of the stores. Blockbuster left the German market in 1997.

===Hong Kong===

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In 1998, after the closure of [[KPS Video Express]], Blockbuster saw an opportunity to enter into the Hong Kong market, and entered into negotiations with KPS's receivers

+

In 1998, after the closure of KPS Video Express, Blockbuster saw an opportunity to enter into the Hong Kong market, and entered into negotiations with KPS's receivers Ernst and Young to buy the KPS operations. Blockbuster re-opened 15 of 38 former KPS stores by February 16, 1998, KPS members were given special offers to join Blockbuster, but the video pre-paid coupon system was not retained. Blockbuster pulled out of the market in 2004 after high operating costs and losses to copyright infringement.

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Ernst and Young to buy the KPS operations. Blockbuster re-opened 15 of 38 former KPS stores by February 16, 1998,

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KPS members were given special offers to join Blockbuster, but the video pre-paid coupon system was not retained.

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Blockbuster pulled out of the market in 2004 after high operating costs and losses to copyright infringement.

===Ireland===

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In March 2010, Blockbuster announced that it intended to sell all operations in Europe. The company once had an Irish subsidiary, [[Xtravision]], which did not operate

+

In March 2010, Blockbuster announced that it intended to sell all operations in Europe. The company once had an Irish subsidiary, Xtravision, which did not operate under the Blockbuster brand name. Blockbuster sold Xtravision at a loss in August 2009 to Birchhall Investments Limited. All remaining stores were closed in 2016, leaving only its online business and vending machines.

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under the Blockbuster [[brand name]]. Blockbuster sold Xtravision at a loss in August 2009 to Birchhall Investments Limited. All remaining stores were closed in 2016,

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leaving only its online business and vending machines.

===Israel===

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In the late 2000s at its peak, Blockbuster Israel had 40 branches and more than 260 automated video rentals.In December 2011, Blockbuster closed off its last branch store,

+

In the late 2000s at its peak, Blockbuster Israel had 40 branches and more than 260 automated video rentals.In December 2011, Blockbuster closed off its last branch store, and had only 80 automated video rentals left.

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and had only 80 automated video rentals left.~~<ref name="globes.co.il"/>~~

===Japan===

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In March 1991, Den Fujita Den Trading (which was the master franchise owner of [[McDonald's]] in Japan) and Blockbuster Inc entered into a joint venture to established

+

In March 1991, Den Fujita Den Trading (which was the master franchise owner of [[McDonald's]] in Japan) and Blockbuster Inc entered into a joint venture to established Japan's first Blockbuster Video stores. By October 1992, Fujita and Blockbuster opened 15 stores in the country – four of them next to McDonald's outlets and most being located in the Greater Tokyo Area Unlike Blockbuster's U.S. stores, each Japanese outlet only occupied about half the floor space at 5,000 square feet due to the country's more limited available real estate. By June 1996, 32 stores were in operation with a public aim for 150 by 1998. Blockbuster Japan faced heavy competition from [[Osaka]]-based video rental chain, Tsutaya (video store), with its 817 outlets, but the company saw opportunity in the population having high [[VCR]] ownership levels (at around 75%), low satellite TV penetration (at around 27%), and well-ordered store layouts (unique for most local video stores). However, Blockbuster's business strategy of "wholesome home entertainment" saw it not stock adult entertainment or extreme [[Horror movie]]s which account for 35 percent of the Japanese video market. That meant Blockbuster was unable to fit into the Japanese market adequately, and was put at a disadvantage to other businesses selling and renting these movies. Blockbuster handed its remaining shares over to Fujita Den Trading in 1999, and exited the Japanese market.

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Japan's first Blockbuster Video stores. By October 1992, Fujita and Blockbuster opened 15 stores in the country – four of them next to McDonald's outlets and most being

−

located in the Greater Tokyo Area Unlike Blockbuster's U.S. stores, each Japanese outlet only occupied about half the floor space at 5,000 square feet due to the country's

−

more limited available real estate. By June 1996, 32 stores were in operation with a public aim for 150 by 1998. Blockbuster Japan faced heavy competition from [[Osaka]]-

−

based video rental chain, [[Tsutaya (video store)~~|Tsutaya]]~~, with its 817 outlets, but the company saw opportunity in the population having high [[VCR]] ownership levels

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(at around 75%), low satellite TV penetration (at around 27%), and well-ordered store layouts (unique for most local video stores). However, Blockbuster's business strategy

−

of "wholesome home entertainment" saw it not stock [[adult entertainment]] or extreme [[~~horror films~~]] which account for 35% of the Japanese video market. That meant

−

Blockbuster was unable to fit into the Japanese market adequately, and was put at a disadvantage to other businesses selling and renting these movies. Blockbuster handed

−

its remaining shares over to Fujita Den Trading in 1999, and exited the Japanese market.

===Mexico===

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In September 2015, all remaining Blockbuster retail stores (263 in total) in Mexico had been converted to "The B Store", and the floor space dedicated to video rentals

+

In September 2015, all remaining Blockbuster retail stores (263 in total) in Mexico had been converted to "The B Store", and the floor space dedicated to video rentals reduced from 70 percent to 20 percent, the remaining space being used for general technology and electronics sales. The re-branding occurred with the owners not renewing their license with Blockbuster and the imminent expiry of the existing license.

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reduced from 70% to 20%, the remaining space being used for general technology and electronics sales. The re-branding occurred with the owners not renewing their license

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with Blockbuster and the imminent expiry of the existing license.

===New Zealand===

−

The chain also operated for many years in ~~[[New Zealand]]~~, but all stores there have closed.

+

In 1994 Blockbuster opened it's first stores in [[New Zealand]]. The chain also operated for many years in the country, but all stores there have closed. Other Independent stores who started in the late 1980's like Aro Video, a landmark in Wellington’s Aro Valley and Video Ezy, whom at one time was a large chain of 171 stores, have still hung on with a handful of stores in the country. Video Ezy who used to compete with Blockbuster, has less stores now than United Video, which is still operating with multiple stores across New Zealand.

===Norway===

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In December 2002 the first Blockbuster store opened in Norway, and was followed by another store some months later in 2003, both located in Oslo. The hope was to acquire an

+

In December 2002 the first Blockbuster store opened in Norway, and was followed by another store some months later in 2003, both located in Oslo. The hope was to acquire an already existing video chain. When that failed, it was made an attempt to build a Norwegian blockbuster chain from scratch. But both stores closed in the spring of 2004.

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already existing video chain. When that failed, it was made an attempt to build a Norwegian blockbuster chain from scratch. But both stores closed in the spring of 2004.

===Peru===

In 2007, Blockbuster announced that it plans to shut down its stores in Peru due to poor revenues, which it blamed on the effect of movie copyright infringement|piracy.

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The company had already closed down its stores in Ecuador, Portugal and Costa Rica. El Salvador followed in 2010, and Argentina in 2011.

===United Kingdom===

In 1989, the company entered the United Kingdom via its purchase of the 875-store Ritz Video chain for $135 million, from parent company Citivision. Ritz Video was Europe's

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largest rental chain, with a 20% share of the United Kingdom video market, and annual sales of about $150 million. The first re-branded Blockbuster outlet opened on

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Walworth Road, South London, the same year. By November 1991, Blockbuster UK converted 30 stores to its brand.

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Blockbuster UK operated trade functions in all their stores, buying and selling pre-owned DVDs, console games, and gaming accessories. Stores offered either store credit or

+

Blockbuster UK operated trade functions in all their stores, buying and selling pre-owned DVDs, console games, and gaming accessories. Stores offered either store credit or cash for trade-ins, and would price-match with competitors. At its height in 2002, Blockbuster UK operated out of over 800 stores.

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cash for trade-ins, and would price-match with competitors. At its height in 2002, Blockbuster UK operated out of over 800 stores.

−

~~In early 2013, the company had 528 locations in the United Kingdom. On January 16, 2013, Blockbuster placed its United Kingdom subsidiaries in [[Administration (law)|~~

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~~administration]]~~, putting over 4,000 jobs at risk. Non-UK stores were unaffected by the administration, and continued to trade as normal. On February 1, 2013, a large

+

In early 2013, the company had 528 locations in the United Kingdom. On January 16, 2013, Blockbuster placed its United Kingdom subsidiaries in Administration (law), putting over 4,000 jobs at risk. Non-UK stores were unaffected by the administration, and continued to trade as normal. On February 1, 2013, a large number of Blockbuster stores in the UK were closed, and the UK business was purchased out of administration by restructuring firm Gordon Brothers Group (Europe) on March 23, 2013.

−

~~number of~~ Blockbuster ~~stores in the~~ UK ~~were closed~~, ~~and the~~ UK ~~business~~ was ~~purchased out of~~ administration by ~~restructuring firm [[Gordon Brothers Group|Gordon Brothers~~

+

Blockbuster UK then traded as TS Operations, with only 264 branches retained. On October 29, 2013, Blockbuster UK announced it was to go into administration for a second time. On November 14, 2013, 72 store closures were announced, A week later, with no success in finding a buyer, it was announced by Moorfields Corporate Recovery that all remaining stores in the country would cease operation on December 16, 2013, with stock to be cleared the day before this.

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~~Europe]] on March 23, 2013.~~

+

In September 2018, to coincide with the digital release of ''Deadpool 2'', a pop-up retail store in the style of an original 1989 Blockbuster outlet was opened for two days in Shoreditch in East London. The store gave away 1,989 copies of the film in reference to Blockbuster's entry year into the British market.

−

~~Blockbuster UK then traded as TS Operations, with only 264 branches retained. On October 29, 2013, Blockbuster UK announced it was to go into administration for a second~~

−

~~time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24730726 |title=Blockbuster back in administration |work=BBC News |date=October 29, 2013 |accessdate=October~~

−

~~29, 2013}}</ref> On November 14, 2013, 72 store closures were announced,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24938668 |work=BBC News |~~

−

~~title=Blockbuster's administrator will close 72 stores |date=November 14, 2013}}</ref> with another 62 made on December 5.<ref>{{cite news |~~

−

~~url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25232069 |work=BBC News |title=Blockbuster to close more stores as 427 more jobs go |date=December 5, 2013}}</ref> A week later,~~

−

~~with no success in finding a buyer, it was announced by Moorfields Corporate Recovery that all remaining stores in the country would cease operation on December 16, 2013,~~

−

~~with stock to be cleared the day before this.~~

−

In September 2018, to coincide with the digital release of ''[[Deadpool 2]]'', a [[pop-up retail]] store in the style of an original 1989 Blockbuster outlet was opened for

−

two days in Shoreditch in East London. The store gave away 1,989 copies of the film in reference to Blockbuster's entry year into the British market.

==Online rentals==

===United States===

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In 1997, [[Enron ~~Corporation~~]] had entered the broadband market, constructing and purchasing thousands of miles of fiber optic cables throughout the United States.~~<ref~~

+

In 1997, [[Enron]] Corporation had entered the broadband market, constructing and purchasing thousands of miles of fiber optic cables throughout the United States. In 2001, Enron and Blockbuster Inc. attempted to create a 20-year deal to stream Video on demand over Enron's fiber optic network. However, the "heavily promoted" deal fell through, with Enron's shares dropping following the announcement.

−

~~name="NYT1999">{{cite news |last1=Schiesel |first1=Seth |title=Jumping Off the Bandwidth Wagon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/11/business/jumping-off-the-bandwidth-~~

−

~~wagon.html |accessdate=February 17, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 11, 1999}}</ref><ref name=PRNEWS>{{cite news |title=Montana Power, Williams Communications,~~

−

~~Enron Units Announce Fiber Providers for Portland-to-Los Angeles Network |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/montana-power-williams-communications-enron-units-~~

−

−

~~archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217071349/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/montana-power-williams-communications-enron-units-announce-fiber-providers-~~

−

~~for-portland-to-los-angeles-network-77921802.html |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>~~ In 2001, Enron and Blockbuster Inc. attempted to create a 20-year

−

deal to stream [[Video on demand~~|movies on demand]]~~ over Enron's fiber optic network.~~<ref name="WPjan01">{{cite news |last1=Behr |first1=Peter |title=Broadband Strategy Got~~

−

~~Enron in Trouble; Bid to Create Market for Fiber-Optic Space Included Aggressive Accounting |work=[[The Washington Post]] |issue=E01 |date=January 1, 2001}}</ref>~~ However,

−

the "heavily promoted" deal fell through, with Enron's shares dropping following the announcement.~~<ref name="WPjan01"/>~~

On August 11, 2004, Blockbuster introduced a "DVD-by-mail" service in the U.S. to compete with the established market leader, [[Netflix]].

−

Blockbuster stated on record that in order to more actively participate in the growing market for online rental subscription services, they would launch "Blockbuster

+

Blockbuster stated on record that in order to more actively participate in the growing market for online rental subscription services, they would launch "Blockbuster Online". This would be a subscription service in the United States, officially released in August 2004. The U.K. operations launched its online subscription service a few months prior in May 2004. These internet-based services allowed customers to rent DVDs by mail and offer substantially more titles than their stores, including a wide array of both new release and catalog DVDs. Additionally, BLOCKBUSTER ONLINE subscribers receive two free in-store rental coupons each month that can be redeemed for movies or video games. In contrast to thier in-store subscription service, their online subscription services required significant ongoing subscriber acquisition investment in order to tap into the growing market and claimed to build a customer base large enough to allow this portion of their business to be profitable. As of March 9, 2005, Blockbuster had more than 750,000 "Blockbuster Online" subscribers, and made plans to invest heavily in this business during 2005 with a goal of having over two million subscribers by the end of the first quarter of 2006 at a substantial profit. Furthermore Blockbuster Online's plans were to further accelerate subscriber acquisition efforts.

−

Online". This would be a subscription service in the United States, officially released in August 2004. The U.K. operations launched its online subscription service a few

−

months prior in May 2004. These internet-based services allowed customers to rent DVDs by mail and offer substantially more titles than their stores, including a wide array

−

of both new release and catalog DVDs. Additionally, BLOCKBUSTER ONLINE subscribers receive two free in-store rental coupons each month that can be redeemed for movies or

−

~~video games~~. ~~In contrast~~ to ~~thier~~ in~~-store subscription service~~, ~~their online subscription services required significant ongoing subscriber acquisition investment~~ in ~~order~~

+

Blockbuster's U.S. online operation started with around 10 warehouses; further expansions every year brought that number to 41, plus more than 1400 stores in the Blockbuster Online network. Most Blockbuster independent franchises did not honor the Total Access program. The company had 1.5 million subscribers at the end of the third quarter of 2006. Blockbuster's move to follow the business pattern with its online rentals as was established by Netflix prompted Netflix to sue Blockbuster for patent infringement. Blockbuster counter sued with a counterclaim alleging deceptive practices with its patent which it alleged was designed to maintain an illegal monopoly. The suits were eventually settled, and while the terms were not disclosed it was later reported that Netflix recorded a settlement payment from Blockbuster of $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2007.

−

to ~~tap into~~ the ~~growing market~~ and ~~claimed~~ to ~~build~~ a ~~customer base large enough to allow this portion~~ of ~~their business to be profitable~~. ~~As of March 9, 2005, Blockbuster~~

+

Blockbuster offered several online movie rental plans. In some cities customers could add games to their movie rental queue as if they were included in their plan, but game rentals resulted in a separate additional fee which was not displayed or charged until the end of the billing cycle. Until July 26, 2007, Blockbuster offered and advertised unlimited free in-store exchanges of online rentals with all plans. Since then there were several changes back and forth with regard to this policy; in March 2010 customers were allowed a limited number of in-store exchanges.

−

had ~~more than 750~~,~~000 "Blockbuster Online" subscribers~~, ~~and made plans~~ to ~~invest heavily~~ in ~~this business during 2005 with a goal~~ of ~~having over two~~ million ~~subscribers by~~

+

At the end of 2006, Blockbuster Total Access had 2.2 million customers, exceeding their original goal of 2 million, according to its website. After an aggressive media campaign that accounted for much of Blockbuster's $46.4 million net loss in the first quarter of 2007, the Total Access subscriber base surpassed 3 million customers in total, marking the company's highest subscriber growth quarter ever.

−

~~the end of the first quarter of 2006 at a substantial profit. Furthermore Blockbuster Online's plans were to further accelerate subscriber acquisition efforts.~~

+

On January 5, 2007, Southern Stores Inc., one of Blockbuster's largest franchise operators in the United States, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that, by introducing Blockbuster Online and Blockbuster Total Access, the rental chain has undercut the group's franchise agreement.

−

~~Blockbuster's U.S. online operation started with around 10 warehouses; further expansions every year brought that number to 41, plus more than 1400 stores in the~~

−

~~Blockbuster Online network. Most Blockbuster independent franchises did not honor the Total Access program. The company had 1.5 million subscribers at the end of the third~~

−

~~quarter of 2006. Blockbuster's move to follow the business pattern with its online rentals as was established by Netflix prompted Netflix to sue Blockbuster for patent~~

−

~~infringement. Blockbuster counter sued with a counterclaim alleging deceptive practices with its patent which it alleged was designed to maintain an illegal monopoly. The~~

−

~~suits were eventually settled, and while the terms were not disclosed it was later reported that Netflix recorded a settlement payment from Blockbuster of $4.1 million in~~

−

~~the second quarter of 2007.~~

−

~~Blockbuster offered several online movie rental plans. In some cities customers could add games to their movie rental queue as if they were included in their plan, but game~~

−

~~rentals resulted in a separate additional fee which was not displayed or charged until the end of the billing cycle. Until July 26, 2007, Blockbuster offered and advertised~~

−

~~unlimited free in-store exchanges of online rentals with all plans. Since then there were several changes back and forth with regard to this policy; in March 2010 customers~~

−

~~were allowed a limited number of in-store exchanges.~~

−

~~At the end of 2006, Blockbuster Total Access had 2.2 million customers, exceeding their original goal of 2 million, according to its website.<ref>{{cite press release |~~

−

~~url=http://blockbuster.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=706 |title=Blockbuster Achieves Year-End Goal of 2 Million Online Subscribers |publisher=Blockbuster~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201174903/http://blockbuster.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=706 |archivedate=December 1, 2008 }}</ref> After an~~

−

~~aggressive media campaign that accounted for much of Blockbuster's $46.4 million net loss in the first quarter of 2007, the Total Access subscriber base surpassed 3 million~~

−

~~customers in total, marking the company's highest subscriber growth quarter ever.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?~~

−

~~BzID=553&ResLibraryID=19771&Category=1027 |title=Blockbuster Reports First quarter 2007 Results |publisher=Blockbuster Inc. |date=May 2, 2007 |accessdate=January 28, 2009~~

−

~~}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> By 2009, however, the company was declining to provide figures when asked by ''[[The Wall~~

−

~~Street Journal]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mcbride |first=Sarah |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125303731573912777 |title=Wall Street Journal, "Blockbuster to Shutter~~

−

~~More Stores" |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=September 16, 2009 |accessdate=June 16, 2011}}</ref>~~

−

On January 5, 2007, Southern Stores Inc., one of Blockbuster's largest franchise operators in the United States, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that, by

−

introducing Blockbuster Online and Blockbuster Total Access, the rental chain has undercut the group's franchise agreement.~~<ref>{{cite web|~~

−

~~url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/Editorial/StoryFocus.aspx?&id=95692 |title=Blockbusted! Local franchisee sues Blockbuster Inc., alleges Dallas company 'undercut' its~~

−

~~business – 1/5/2007 |work=Memphis Daily News |accessdate=June 16, 2011}}</ref>~~

On August 6, 2010, Blockbuster By Mail subscribers gained access to Blockbuster's library of console games, in addition to movies and television shows.

−

On March 31, 2012, Blockbuster On Demand removed support from set-top box media players, including [[Vudu]], [[Western Digital Media Center|WDTV]], and [[Roku]]. Supported

+

On March 31, 2012, Blockbuster On Demand removed support from set-top box media players, including Vudu, Western Digital Media Center (WDTV), and Roku. Supported devices now only included computers, Blu-ray players, select television sets, and cellular phones.

−

devices now only included computers, Blu-ray players, select television sets, and cellular phones.~~<ref>{{cite web|~~

−

~~url=http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9391/p/208,393/session/L3RpbWUvMTM0MDA1NzI3OS9zaWQvX2VQTURfLWs%3D |title=Accessing the Blockbuster On Demand service on~~

−

~~a WD TV Live Product |publisher=Wdc.custhelp.com |date=May 13, 2013 |accessdate=November 7, 2013}}</ref>~~

−

~~On February 26, 2013, [[Roku, Inc.]] announced that Blockbuster On Demand was being launched on Roku's channel store. Supported devices now included computers, Blu-ray~~

−

players, select television sets, cellular phones, and the Roku set-top box.~~<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.roku.com/blog/2013/02/26/blockbuster-on-demand-launches-on-roku/~~

+

On February 26, 2013, Roku, Inc. announced that Blockbuster On Demand was being launched on Roku's channel store. Supported devices now included computers, Blu-ray players, select television sets, cellular phones, and the Roku set-top box.

−

~~|title=Blockbuster On Demand launches on Roku | The Official Roku Blog |publisher=|date=February 26, 2013 |accessdate=November 7, 2013}}</ref>~~

+

In November 2013, Dish Network said its DVD-by-mail service would shut down by mid-December.

−

In November 2013, Dish Network said its DVD-by-mail service would shut down by mid-December.~~<ref>{{cite news |~~

−

~~url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2013/11/06/blockbuster-closing/3456271/ | title=Blockbuster to close U.S. retail stores, mail DVD operation | work=[[USA Today]] |~~

−

~~date=November 6, 2013 | accessdate=November 7, 2013 | first1=Roger | last1=Yu}}</ref>~~

===United Kingdom===

−

~~[[File:"BLOCKBUSTER" video shop, Northwood - geograph.org.uk - 976027.jpg|thumb|right|A former Blockbuster store]]~~Rentals cost £3.50 to £4.50 and lasted for five nights,

+

Rentals cost £3.50 to £4.50 and lasted for five nights, usually from Monday to Friday due to the postal service. Late fees of £0.70 to £0.90 per disc applied if a disc was not returned on time.

−

usually from Monday to Friday due to the postal service. Late fees of £0.70 to £0.90 per disc applied if a disc was not returned on time.~~<ref>{{cite web |~~

−

~~url=http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/Help/PayPerRentQuickStart.aspx |title=Help – Pay Per Rent Quick Start Guide |publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=June 16, 2011 |url-~~

−

~~status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720023158/http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/Help/PayPerRentQuickStart.aspx |archivedate=July 20, 2011 }}</ref>~~

−

~~In May 2004, Blockbuster also introduced an online subscription service. The unlimited three-disc plan cost £14.99/month but did not allow in-store exchange, contrary to~~

−

~~the U.S. service. Partial support for in-store exchange was added in April 2005 with the launch of an "OnlineXtra" service. This service cost £2 per month, required an~~

−

~~online subscription to a disc plan, and added two extra discs sent by mail. The OnlineXtra discs could be exchanged in store, but the non-OnlineXtra discs could not. The~~

−

~~program was discontinued in 2006 with no [[Grandfather clause|grandfathering]], but an in-store-only variant of it resurfaced in early 2008.<ref>{{cite web |~~

−

~~url=http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/bandsignup/all-rental-plans.aspx |title=Band Signup – All Rental Plans |publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=June 25, 2011 |url-status=dead~~

−

~~|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628224148/http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/bandsignup/all-rental-plans.aspx |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> A "Click &~~

−

~~Collect" service launched in September 2010 allowed the reservation of Blockbuster movies in store, but the store's regular rental fees applied until the company added in-~~

−

~~store exchanges in May 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2010/09/the-new-way-to-rent-click-collect/ |title=The new way to rent – Click & Collect |~~

−

~~publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=June 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017014151/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2010/09/the-new-~~

−

~~way-to-rent-click-collect |archivedate=October 17, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2012/05/service-update-introducing-in-store-exchange-~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715050650/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2012/05/service-update-introducing-in-store-exchange-total-access |archivedate=July 15,~~

−

~~2012 }}</ref> Support for game reservations was added in November 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/11/service-update-click-collect-games/ |~~

−

~~title=Service Update – Click & Collect Games |publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=November 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |~~

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126153920/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/11/service-update-click-collect-games/ |archivedate=November 26, 2011 }}</ref>~~

−

~~In 2008, Blockbuster UK's website underwent an overhaul, with an online store; a retail store stock checker; improved search functionality; and a critically acclaimed~~

−

~~layout.<ref name="Blockbuster.co.uk About Us">{{cite web |url=http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/Help/aboutus.aspx |title=Blockbuster.co.uk About Us |publisher=Blockbuster UK |~~

−

~~accessdate=June 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628225056/http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/help/aboutus.aspx |archivedate=June 28, 2011~~

−

~~}}</ref> In-store pickup and exclusive titled were added in 2009. Some of the titles which had an exclusivity period at Blockbuster include Gran Torino, Changeling,~~

−

~~Taken, and Knowing. Additionally, online rental downloads of Universal Pictures in the United Kingdom remains exclusive to Blockbuster. This provides an advantage to the~~

−

~~rental company compared to its competitors HMV, Play, and LoveFilm.<ref name="Blockbuster.co.uk About Us"/>~~

−

~~In January 2010, Blockbuster UK launched an online blog.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/ |title=Blockbuster Blog |publisher=Blockbuster UK |~~

−

~~accessdate=June 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812140922/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/ |archivedate=August 12, 2011 }}</ref>~~

−

~~Improved search algorithms, product pages, and social network links were added to the site in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web |~~

−

~~url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2010/04/service-update-new-site-features/ |title=Blockbuster Blog – New Site Features |publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=June 25, 2011~~

−

~~|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326025300/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2010/04/service-update-new-site-features/ |archivedate=March 26, 2012~~

−

~~}}</ref> Blockbuster UK aired a monthly ''BB Insider'' online video show from May 2010 to January 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2010/05/bb-~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web~~.~~archive~~.~~org~~/~~web/20120608234836/http://blog~~.~~blockbuster~~.co.~~uk/2010/05/bb~~-~~insider~~-~~video~~-~~01%20may%202010~~-~~pilot |archivedate=June 8~~, 2012 ~~}}</ref> and~~

+

In May 2004, Blockbuster also introduced an online subscription service. The unlimited three-disc plan cost £14.99/month but did not allow in-store exchange, contrary to the U.S. service. Partial support for in-store exchange was added in April 2005 with the launch of an "OnlineXtra" service. This service cost £2 per month, required an online subscription to a disc plan, and added two extra discs sent by mail. The OnlineXtra discs could be exchanged in store, but the non-OnlineXtra discs could not. The program was discontinued in 2006 with no [[Grandfather clause|grandfathering]], but an in-store-only variant of it resurfaced in early 2008. A "Click & Collect" service launched in September 2010 allowed the reservation of Blockbuster movies in store, but the store's regular rental fees applied until the company added in-store exchanges in May 2012. Support for game reservations was added in November 2011.

−

~~launched~~ an ~~iPhone App~~ in ~~September 2010~~.~~<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog~~.~~blockbuster~~.co.~~uk/2010/05/service-update-iphone-app-mobile-app/ |title=Blockbuster Blog – Service~~

+

In 2008, Blockbuster UK's website underwent an overhaul, with an online store; a retail store stock checker; improved search functionality; and a critically acclaimed layout. In-store pickup and exclusive titled were added in 2009. Some of the titles which had an exclusivity period at Blockbuster include Gran Torino, Changeling, Taken, and Knowing. Additionally, online rental downloads of Universal Pictures in the United Kingdom remains exclusive to Blockbuster. This provides an advantage to the rental company compared to its competitors HMV, Play, and LoveFilm.

−

~~Update – iPhone App / Mobile App |publisher=~~Blockbuster UK ~~|accessdate=June 25~~, 2011 ~~|url-status=dead |~~

+

In January 2010, Blockbuster UK launched an online blog. Improved search algorithms, product pages, and social network links were added to the site in April 2010. Blockbuster UK aired a monthly ''BB Insider'' online video show from May 2010 to January 2011 and launched an iPhone App in September 2010.

−

~~archiveurl=https://web~~.~~archive.org/web/20120326025310/http://blog~~.~~blockbuster.co.uk/2010/05/service-update-iphone-app-mobile-app/ |archivedate=March 26, 2012 }}</ref>~~

+

Throughout the year 2011, Blockbuster UK announced several price cuts along with a new Blockbuster loyalty card program.

+

These price drops were followed by a price drop of the Blockbuster UK online pay per rent service.

−

~~Throughout~~ the ~~year~~ 2011, Blockbuster UK ~~announced several price cuts along with~~ a new ~~Blockbuster loyalty card program~~.~~<ref>{{cite web |~~

+

Although some Blockbuster UK advertisements claim that the company no longer charges late fees, the fine print and/or voiceover clarifies that rentals will be charged an extra pound for every additional night. A "Top Ticket" feature was added in April 2011, allowing monthly subscription customers to rent an additional movie at no extra charge and to receive it before other movies they request. Support for online sales of used movie and game discs was added in July 2011. The Blockbuster UK website was enhanced in September 2011. During the following month, a new TV section was added to the website.

−

~~url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/02/service-update-stores-great-nights~~-in~~-start-with-blockbuster/ |title=Service Update – Stores: Great Nights In Start with~~

+

3D Blu-rays were added to Blockbuster UK in February 2012.

−

~~BLOCKBUSTER! |publisher=~~Blockbuster UK ~~|accessdate=June 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |~~

+

In May 2012, Blockbuster UK partnered with IGN to launch a new Blockbuster VIP Gamer loyalty program.

−

~~archiveurl=https://web~~.~~archive.org/web/20110228080908/http://blog.blockbuster~~.~~co.uk/2011/02/service-update-stores-great-nights-in-start-with-blockbuster/ |~~

+

On January 16, 2013, Blockbuster UK entered [[Administration (law)|administration]], appointing Deloitte as company administrators, casting doubt over the future of their 528 stores in the country. An announcement was then made by Deloitte that 160 UK stores would close.

−

~~archivedate=February 28, 2011 }}</ref>~~

+

On February 13, 2013, Deloitte announced a further 164 store closures, leaving 204 stores trading in the UK. The business was sold to restructuring firm the Gordon Brothers Group on March 23, 2013. On October 29, 2013, Gordon Brothers filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator. On November 28, 2013, Blockbuster UK officially entered administration for the second time, and by December 2013, all stores were closed, as no buyer for the chain was found.

−

~~These price drops were followed by a price drop of the Blockbuster UK online pay per rent service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/04/service-~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423082015/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/04/service-update-pay-per-rent-price-drop/ |archivedate=April 23, 2011 }}</ref>~~

−

~~Although some Blockbuster UK advertisements claim that the company no longer charges late fees, the fine print and/or voiceover clarifies that rentals will be charged an~~

−

~~extra pound for every additional night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXGeOgLyffU |title=The Fighter and True Grit, Exclusive to Blockbuster only £2.99~~

−

~~– YouTube |publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=June 25, 2011}}</ref> A "Top Ticket" feature was added in April 2011, allowing monthly subscription customers to rent an~~

−

~~additional movie at no extra charge and to receive it before other movies they request.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/04/service-announcement-~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423081256/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/04/service-announcement-introducing-blockbuster-top-ticket/ |archivedate=April 23,~~

−

~~2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/rent/top-ticket.aspx |title=Blockbuster UK Top Ticket |publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=June 25, 2011 |~~

−

~~url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628224441/http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/rent/top-ticket.aspx |archivedate=June 28, 2011}}</ref> Support for~~

−

~~online sales of used movie and game discs was added in July 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/07/service-update-introducing-the-blockbuster-~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719102131/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/07/service-update-introducing-the-blockbuster-marketplace/ |archivedate=July 19,~~

−

~~2011}}</ref> The Blockbuster UK website was enhanced in September 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/09/service-update-the-new-blockbuster-~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115201705/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/09/service-update-the-new-blockbuster-experience/ |archivedate=January 15, 2013}}~~

−

~~</ref> During the following month, a new TV section was added to the website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/10/service-update-full-tv-genre-launch/~~

−

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110185339/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2011/10/service-update-full-tv-genre-launch/ |archivedate=November 10, 2011}}</ref>~~

−

~~3D Blu-rays were added to Blockbuster UK in February 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2012/02/service-update-february-2012/ |title=Service Update –~~

−

~~Top Ticket, £1.50 Rentals, 3D Blu-rays, Click & Collect & Marketplace |publisher=Blockbuster UK |accessdate=January 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |~~

−

~~archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115202215/http://blog.blockbuster.co.uk/2012/02/service-update-february-2012/ |archivedate=January 15, 2013}}</ref> In May~~

−

~~2012, Blockbuster UK partnered with IGN to launch a new Blockbuster VIP Gamer loyalty program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/blockbuster-partners-~~

−

~~with-ign-to-promote-vip-gamer-scheme/095921 |title=Blockbuster partners with IGN to promote VIP Gamer scheme |publisher=MCV |accessdate=May 11, 2012 |archive-~~

−

~~url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514022348/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/blockbuster-partners-with-ign-to-promote-vip-gamer-scheme/095921 |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |~~

−

~~url-status=dead}}</ref>~~

−

~~On January 16, 2013, Blockbuster UK entered [[Administration (law)|administration]], appointing Deloitte as company administrators, casting doubt over the future of their~~

−

~~528 stores in the country. An announcement was then made by Deloitte that 160 UK stores would close.~~

−

On February 13, 2013, Deloitte announced a further 164 store closures, leaving 204 stores trading in the UK. The business was sold to restructuring firm the [[Gordon

−

Brothers Group]] on March 23, 2013.~~<ref name="UK buyer"/>~~ On October 29, 2013, Gordon Brothers filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator. On November 28, 2013,

−

Blockbuster UK officially entered administration for the second time, and by December 2013, all stores were closed, as no buyer for the chain was found.

===Brazil===

−

In January 2006, Blockbuster Brazil also introduced an online rental service now featuring both DVD and Blu-ray plans. There were four Block plans available with prices

+

In January 2006, Blockbuster Brazil also introduced an online rental service now featuring both DVD and Blu-ray plans. There were four Block plans available with prices ranging from R$34.90 to R$79.90. The 3-disc plan with unlimited exchanges was R$49.90/month. Unlike the U.S. service, there was no in-store disk exchange.

−

ranging from R$34.90 to R$79.90. The 3-disc plan with unlimited exchanges was R$49.90/month. Unlike the U.S. service, there was no in-store disk exchange.

===Movielink acquisition===

−

On August 8, 2007, Blockbuster announced that it had reached an agreement to purchase Movielink. According to the 8-K filing by Blockbuster, the total purchase price was

+

On August 8, 2007, Blockbuster announced that it had reached an agreement to purchase Movielink. According to the 8-K filing by Blockbuster, the total purchase price was $6.6 million.

−

$6.6 million.

==Advertising==

===Super Bowl===

−

One of Blockbuster's most well-known [[advertising]] campaigns was launched during the Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. It starred the voices of Jim Belushi and James Woods as

+

One of Blockbuster's most well-known [[advertising]] campaigns was launched during the Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. It starred the voices of Jim Belushi and James Woods as Carl and Ray, a rabbit and a [[guinea pig]] in a pet shop located across the road from a Blockbuster store. The first campaign ended in 2003. The Carl and Ray campaign started again in 2007 starting with a high dollar thirty second commercial slot during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI. The 2007 ad again had the same voices from actors James Woods and Jim Belushi along with the addition of Alec Baldwin in the voice-over promotion piece of the business. Primarily this Superbowl commercial promoted movies through the mail under the official name "Blockbuster total access" with an offer for a free trial.

−

Carl and Ray, a rabbit and a [[guinea pig]] in a pet shop located across the road from a Blockbuster store. The first campaign ended in 2003. The Carl and Ray campaign

−

started again in 2007 starting with a high dollar thirty second commercial slot during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI. The 2007 ad again had the same voices from

−

actors James Woods and Jim Belushi along with the addition of Alec Baldwin in the ~~voiceover~~ promotion piece of the business. Primarily this ~~superbowl~~ commercial promoted

−

movies through the mail under the official name "Blockbuster total ~~acceess~~" with an offer for a free trial.

===Misleading advertising===

−

In 2005, Blockbuster launched a marketing campaign describing changes in its late fees policy and offering "No Late Fees" on rentals. The program sparked investigations and

+

In 2005, Blockbuster launched a marketing campaign describing changes in its late fees policy and offering "No Late Fees" on rentals. The program sparked investigations and charges of misrepresentation in 48 states and the District of Columbia: state attorneys general including Bill Lockyer of California, Greg Abbott of Texas, and Eliot Spitzer of New York argued that customers were being automatically charged the full purchase price of late rentals and a restocking fee for rentals returned after 30 days. In a settlement, Blockbuster agreed to reimburse the states the cost of their investigation, clarify communication to customers on the terms of the program, and offer reimbursement to customers charged fees prior to the clarification. New Jersey filed a separate lawsuit and was not a party to the settlement.

−

~~charges of misrepresentation in 48 states and the District of Columbia: state attorneys general including [[Bill Lockyer]] of California, [[Greg Abbott]] of Texas, and~~

+

The 2005 controversy came after a related lawsuit settled in 2002 in Texas. That lawsuit, alleging exorbitant late fees, led the company to pay $9.25 million in attorney fees and offer $450 million in late fee refund coupons (which were rent-one get-one-free coupons, and thus required the customer to make an initial expenditure). The company estimated that the coupons would ultimately cost about $45 million depending on the redemption rate; an attorney for the plaintiffs estimated the final cost at closer to $100 million at a redemption rate of about 20% (calculated based on a similar case in Michigan).

−

~~[[Eliot Spitzer]] of New York argued that customers were being automatically charged the full purchase price of late rentals and a restocking fee for rentals returned after~~

−

~~30 days. In a settlement, Blockbuster agreed to reimburse the states the cost of their investigation, clarify communication to customers on the terms of the program, and~~

−

~~offer reimbursement to customers charged fees prior to the clarification. New Jersey filed a separate lawsuit and was not a party to the settlement.~~

−

The 2005 controversy came after a related lawsuit settled in 2002 in Texas. That lawsuit, alleging exorbitant late fees, led the company to pay $9.25 million in attorney

−

fees and offer $450 million in late fee refund coupons (which were rent-one get-one-free coupons, and thus required the customer to make an initial expenditure). The

−

company estimated that the coupons would ultimately cost about $45 million depending on the redemption rate; an attorney for the plaintiffs estimated the final cost at

−

closer to $100 million at a redemption rate of about 20% (calculated based on a similar case in Michigan).

Such corrections were also sent to international stores such as those in Canada to prevent further lawsuits.

−

Blockbuster reintroduced late fees in the United States in 2010 under the name of "Additional Daily Rates". With this pricing scheme, rentals were once again limited to a

+

Blockbuster reintroduced late fees in the United States in 2010 under the name of "Additional Daily Rates". With this pricing scheme, rentals were once again limited to a certain number of days and accrued pay-per-day rates after the days allocated are exceeded.

−

certain number of days and accrued pay-per-day rates after the days allocated are exceeded.

==Senior management history==

Line 912: Line 278:

==Cultural do not do examples using Blockbuster==

−

From [[Forbes magazine]] calling out how the ten times what Blockbuster was worth then and not now in cultural cliche's to Fox news articles discussing how churches in

+

From [[Forbes magazine]] calling out how the ten times what Blockbuster was worth then and not now in cultural cliche's to Fox news articles discussing how churches in America have failed to learn the lessons from marketplace companies such as Kodak and Blockbuster – change with the times or die. Blockbuster is the cliché American business success story that came crashing down because it didn't change with the times. Countless news articles and even corporate year end planning and performance meetings reference Blockbuster as the fatal flaw; an arrogance of being the only big name video store in town for too long. It's business model, which the company internally described as "managed dissatisfaction,' had produced a wellspring of consumer resentment toward the enormous video chain over late fees, poor new release video selection sizes, and sometimes bad or selective customer service. At many of their largest and most well trafficked stores, like the Mid-Rivers Mall Drive Blockbuster location across from the largest suburban shopping mall, in the St. Louis suburb of St.Peters Missouri, during the height of the 1990's being to one of the first stores to plummet as the least trafficked regional store in only ten years later; before the fall of the franchise. Blockbuster store managers and employees like many other stores new by their own research showed that customers had to visit their highly trafficked, biggest, profitable stores, for approximately five consecutive weekends to get the video they wanted. New VHS tape/DVD releases would come out strategically on the slowest day Tuesday's. It was the anti-service in customer service that brought the demand of people wanting their 1st choice of video, the store not having it so they would still settle for a 2nd or 3rd choice video and keep coming back until they got their video and Blockbuster making money on the customer each visit. Or a lack of a visit for not returning the video on time and being charged a late fee to rent another video.

−

America have failed to learn the lessons from marketplace companies such as Kodak and Blockbuster – change with the times or die. Blockbuster is the cliché American

−

business success story that came crashing down because it ~~didnt~~ change with the times. Countless news articles and even corporate year end planning and performance meetings

−

reference Blockbuster as the fatal flaw; an arrogance of being the only big name video store in town for too long. It's business model, which the company internally

−

described as "managed dissatisfaction,' had produced a wellspring of consumer resentment toward the ~~enormus~~ video chain over late fees, poor new release video selection

−

sizes, and sometimes bad or selective customer service. At many of their largest and most well ~~trafficted~~ stores, like the Mid-Rivers Mall Drive Blockbuster location across

−

from the largest suburban shopping mall, in the St. Louis suburb of St.Peters Missouri, during the height of the 1990's being to one of the first stores to plummet as the

−

least ~~traficketed~~ regional store in only ten years later; before the fall of the franchise. Blockbuster store ~~manangers~~ and ~~emplyoees~~ like many other stores new by ~~thier~~

−

own research showed that customers had to visit ~~thier~~ highly ~~traficketed~~, biggest, profitable stores, for approximately five consecutive weekends to get the video they

−

wanted. New VHS tape/DVD releases would come out strategically on the slowest day Tuesday's. It was the anti-service in customer service that brought the demand of people

−

wanting their 1st choice of video, the store not having it so they would still settle ~~ofr~~ a 2nd or 3rd choice video and keep coming back until they got ~~thier~~ video and

−

Blockbuster making money on the customer each visit. Or a lack of a visit for not returning the video on time and being ~~chargedd~~ a late fee to rent another video.

==External links==

Line 940: Line 284:

*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1019676329683925720]

*[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1085734/000119312505063510/d10k.htm United States Securities and Exchange Commision BlockBuster Inc. for the fiscal year end 2004]

−

*[https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/mankato-s-last-blockbuster-video-store-closing-this-month/article_dd2f195a-d9cf-5969-ae92-6ba4d3daf2b0.html Mankato's

+

*[https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/mankato-s-last-blockbuster-video-store-closing-this-month/article_dd2f195a-d9cf-5969-ae92-6ba4d3daf2b0.html Mankato's last Blockbuster video store closing]

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last Blockbuster video store closing]

*[https://www.japanla.com/blogs/news/dumbgood-x-blockbuster-takes-over-japanla-little-tokyo Blockbuster takes over Japan L.A.-Little Tokyo]

*[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/churches-blockbuster-culture-change-times Churches should learn from Blockbuster – change with the times, or die]

+

*[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dumbgood-revives-the-90s-with-blockbuster-apparel-nyc-pop-up-142449916.html]

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