Buy your next HDTV at... Blockbuster?
Blockbuster hasn't purchased Circuit City yet, but that's not stopping it from trying out the electronics retail market. The company's running several different kinds of test stores in the Dallas area, one of which offers technology for watching movies, like new HDTVs. According to the CEO, this effort is separate from the proposed CC buy, and includes test stores that open early so people can rent movies on their way to work, include coffee and soft drinks, or entertain kids with Rock Band (win). Beyond just its upcoming download service and PS3 Blu-ray kiosks, expect to see changes coming to your neighborhood video rental spot very soon.
Filed under: Industry
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
med1320 @ Apr 25th 2008 6:13PM
Hahahaha I'm first and you all are losers!!!!!
Taylor @ Apr 25th 2008 6:47PM
Yup, they are brewing coffee now at 6am at my local BlockBuster...
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042408dnbusblockbuster_hp.93e9a3f7.html
XDragon @ Apr 25th 2008 8:01PM
They better do more, they won't survive on rentals alone as more people start using VOD, PPV, DD, etc. Of course those things are quite some time down the road but they have to start before they get in a bad position.
Nfinity @ Apr 25th 2008 9:37PM
Well obviously things are not that FAR down the road when they are considering making these purchases.
As I said many times.. we are maybe 2-3 years from mainstream HD streaming and downloads. That's pretty urgent if you ask me.
XDragon @ Apr 26th 2008 9:06AM
No way in 2-3 years.
Even when that becomes possible, it will take a long time for people to become aware of it and prices will be high(just look at the prices for the fastest internet services). Not to mention that most people still want something tangable for their money; the downloadable music effect doesn't apply to moviies as a direct comparison for many reasons: size, age group making the purchases, portability(most don't want to watch a movie on a small screen but they also don't want to carry something bulky). they presently aren't 1080p, ..i could keep going on but what for; you're entitled to your opinion.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Apr 25th 2008 11:19PM
Seems kinda pointless.. who really goes to BlockBuster now n days anyways with Netflix & Gamefly around??
walkingsnake @ Apr 26th 2008 1:27AM
A *lot* of people. Sure, it's declining, but not everyone has access to PPV, and some prefer it to Netflix.
Keep in mind Blockbuster also has their own online service.
mntwister @ Apr 26th 2008 11:38AM
From a business standpoint it's a very good idea. Selling the equipment used to play the software you sell and rent is a natural. I am assuming people making the smart-ass posts are not in business. This would be a much better move than buying ccity. Although, maybe Blockbuster would make the changes necessary to turn around ccity. Like re-hiring the experienced salespeople.
Seth A @ Apr 27th 2008 9:48PM
I don't know if this has really been mentioned, but at least in my city, one of the threats to Blockbuster is McDonalds. All of our McDonalds are now putting in Redboxes. $1 a day renatal, no dealing with people, get food at the same time. When I comes to new renatals, what does Blockbuster have on that? I haven't jumped to video downloads yet, I still perfer media, so Redbox at a dollar a day is really the best choice to me, and appears to be for many others, I have always had to wait in a small line to rent from those.
Michael @ Apr 29th 2008 12:48PM
I love Redbox. I'm an occasional movie renter, as I'm a student and don't have tons of time to watch movies. Netflix is too much per month for how many movies I watch, Hollywood Video (ick) just closed, and Blockbuster is about twice as far from my house as Redbox.
Eric @ Apr 28th 2008 10:32PM
I wouldn't buy popcorn and Milk Duds at Blockbuster, let a television! They screwed me over so many times for late fees that were less than 15 minutes late!