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Blockbuster To Close Remaining US Locations

Posted by Soulskill on from the internet-killed-the-video-star dept.

UnknowingFool writes "Blockbuster announced that it will close its remaining 300 U.S. locations by January and discontinue the DVD by mail service. Before being bought out by Dish, the chain was slowly closing locations. Dish's CEO said, 'This is not an easy decision, yet consumer demand is clearly moving to digital distribution of video entertainment.' From an all-time high of 9,000 locations in 2004, the chain has fallen on hard times and had emerged from bankruptcy in 2011."

3 of 419 comments (clear)

  1. About time by KBehemoth · · Score: 5, Funny

    They were supposed to close years ago. They never got the memo because they only communicate by telegraph.

    1. Re:About time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      The courier was afraid to go into the store. He had a VHS that was late.

  2. The Reasons by CanHasDIY · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Dish's CEO said, 'This is not an easy decision, yet consumer demand is clearly moving to digital distribution of video entertainment.'

    Oh, sure, blame it all on the consumers!

    Let's be realistic here: Yes, increasing consumer demand for instant gratification is part of the video stores downfall, but they're experiencing an equal amount of pressure from the content cartels, who have spent years trying inadvertently (or intentionally) to kill off the rental industry with their obsession over controlling how consumers can access media.

    Content cartels... like Dish Network.

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese