Blockbuster - Bust

[sp1814]

I grew up with this firm during the 80s. It was the 'go to' destination for videos on a Saturday night.

But now that it's gone into administration for the second time, is it time to give up on this once-ubiquitous company?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24730726

I don't know anyone who goes to video shops anymore. Now it's all LoveFilm, Netflix, Apple TV, blinkbox, Sky Movies, Virgin Movie etc etc...all from the comfort of your armchair.

Is it time that Blockbuster was allowed to go bust?

[New Judge]

'Fraid so, sp. I'm surprised they lasted so long. They no longer have a product that sufficient numbers of people want as they have so many different (and cheaper, more convenient) ways of obtaining their entertainment.

[jno]

I think they're just going the way of makers of buggy whips, overtaken by technological change. They might have got into streaming themselves, but didn't. HMV has started up again, but I don't know what sort of business model they've worked out that will avoid their previous mistakes.

[Sipowicz]

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQj9Gbr2hx8

[ELVIS68]

I'm surprised they lasted this long

[baza]

do I get to keep the "Titanic" video now.

[jno]

yes, play it on your Betamax

[Gromit]

It can't be long before multiplexes start to close (if they are not already doing so). It is about 3 years since I last went to one. It was about £15 for two of us, cost a fiver in petrol yo get there, the place was about -10 degrees and about 8 mobile phones went off in 120 minutes. Full of brats talking through the film, it was torture.
I got a first gen AppleTV and it has been brilliant.

[trt]

##Is it time that Blockbuster was allowed to go bust?##

Unfortunately, I don't think they have much choice sp1814, looking at the below link!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13977255

[Mattk]

If you don't move with the times in their business then it is inevitable you will fail.
Even relatively new online only companies are forever evolving.

[mikey4444]

I don't really understand this. I haven't rented a video or dvd for many years and I don't know anybody else who has either. While I feel sorry for the people that will losing their jobs, I'm not really sure why Blockbusters are trying to cling on to an outmoded business model.

[douglas9401]

I'll have a P45 please Bob.

[ummmm]

The kids use it to swap games etc...

[youngmafbog]

My daughter uses it. She is deaf and needs subtitles which is not on the Lovefilm. Ok they do rent dvd but you have to wait, so she uses blockbusters.

Bottom line is they did not move with the times, Lovefilm still rent out dvd and blue ray, perhaps if they had moved into streaming with delivery of the dvd they might have survive, could have combined it with 'bring your booze or takeaway round'

[redman41]

CEX have largely replaced what Blockbuster did in the DVD/Bluray business.
They buy, sell and exchange a range of technology and entertainment products including mobile phones, video games, DVDs and Blu-ray movies, computers, digital electronics, TVs and monitors, and music CDs.
They have over 200 Stores in the UK and abroad and I use them on a regular basis.
As far as Multiplexes are concerned, it will be a long time before we see any decline in their business. Who on earth would want to watch a major Film on a Mobile Phone or iPad. Myself and my Partner can see a Film every Tuesday for £3.25 each, and it's 2 for 1 every Wed !

[friedgreentomato]

Perhaps Blockbuster needs to move with the times.

[jomifl]

All films get onto free tv eventually, just be patient.

[sp1814]

The biggest pity is that Blockbusters was a 'name brand' and this has value. If they had invested in streaming technology, say five years ago, they may have got the leap on Netflix and LoveFilm, but then, they would still have to close many of their shops because streaming companies don't need a high street presence.

[jake-the-peg]

Another in a long list of companies where the technology changed in their core market and they were too slow to adapt.

Polaroid is a classic case - Kodak are struggling manfully on in printers

Nokia and Blackberry in phones

For those in the computer industry DEC and Compaq and Word Perfect

Difficult to spot which trends are important and which are not

Even harder to turn around quickly enough to get into them

IBM did a good job although they nearly blew it on serveral occasions

[jno]

indeed... Jessops got left behind because they decided their expertise was in selling cameras - not phones. A logical and sensible decision, but as it turned out, wrong. They are also clinging on under new management, like HMV, but who knows for how long.

Minolta used to make great cameras but they're gone. Now electronics businesses like Panasonic sell cameras - their smart idea was to team up a camera company, Leica, to make their lenses while they made the digital camera electtronics.