The once-booming business of renting movies from brick-and-mortar Blockbuster stores will be obsolete by early next year, parent company DISH Network announced today. The video chain only had around 300 retail stores still open in the U.S., all of which will shutter by January along with Blockbusters distribution centers. Blockbusters DVD by mail service will also end, although franchisees and licensed Blockbusters stateside and overseas will be unaffected. This is not an easy decision, yet consumer demand is clearly moving to digital distribution of video entertainment, said Joseph P. Clayton, DISH president and chief executive officer. DISH will keep the Blockbuster brand going through digital offerings, following in the steps of competitor/usurper Netflix.
more like good riddance?
but isn't this the official 4th time they have disappeared? I wish they would just be gone for once, and forever, so we can stop reading stories every 3 years about how they are out of business.
Not sure how that's going to work with Blockbuster franchises...
i find it funny that the local video rental place in my town is still there and apperently doing fine, survived a BB moving in as well back when BB was relevent
Best Buy still has a niche for large things such as speakers, monitors, desks, and chairs. As well as the benefit of allowing for returns locally. I wish they would carry more computer components though, sometimes you want to grab what you need without waiting for shipping or driving 45+ miles to Fry's.
Office Max, Office Depot, Best Buy, Radio Shack, etc. will soon follow suit.