DVD

Blockbuster’s Downward Spiral

Online MBA Programs (who?) has compiled a variety of stats into compelling series of graphics that document “How Netflix Destroyed Blockbuster.” While the inverse parallels are dramatic and it’s worth perusing, I remain convinced that Blockbuster is fully responsible for their downward spiral.

Many have pointed to Blockbuster’s missed opportunity of acquiring Netflix on the cheap a decade ago, but the end result would have have likely remained the same given their leadership and vision. And an inability to execute.

Take for example, Blockbuster’s failed forays beyond the brick & mortar. They launched their own mail order DVD service and acquired Movielink for online video. Which saw little uptake and questionable management commitment. Then there was that poor video streaming box that they failed to market (or update) and then quickly buried.

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How Does Netflix Prioritize Video Inventory?

As we know, the video streaming sites like Hulu and Netflix (now Amazon, too) serve up is quite variable. Titles come, and titles go. Emphasizing the complex (and costly) licensing forces at play. Interestingly, Netflix may harness the power of their community as one factor in determining the content (physical and digital?) they go after. … Read more

An Age-Old Format War

It’s about this time every year that I get a plaintive plea from my parents, who would like nothing more for Christmas than for me to convert some form of old media into a new and more usable format. As a kid I remember taping records for my mom so she’d have music to listen … Read more

Department of the Obvious (Blockbuster, Netflix)

This week in Department of the Obvious, we find Blockbuster filing for bankruptcy. The only possible surprise is that it took this long. As chapter 11 was the inevitable outcome after failing to modernize their operation quickly enough and, in my experience, providing years of poor customer service. Fortunately, for them, they intend to emerge … Read more

Confirmed: Blue Rays in Red Boxes

Within a few days of Redbox announcing Blu-ray rental availability from their nationwide network of kiosks, I swung by for confirmation. And, as it turned out, their press release was overly optimistic — neither Blu-ray title availability or even a category in the UI was found at my closest outpost (MickeyD’s). But when Engadget was tipped that Blu-ray … Read more

Trying Blockbuster Mail-Order Game Rentals

Blockbuster as we know it may or may not survive 2010, but that hasn’t prevented them from re-enabling mail order game rentals. As I’m currently on a Gamefly hiatus, a company that I’ve had a like/hate relationship with, I figured I’d check out Blockbuster’s combined DVD+gaming snail mail service which starts at a low $8.99/mo … Read more

Comcast & Blockbuster Devolve (DVDs by Mail)

While Netflix shifts their focus to online streaming, Comcast (?!) and Blockbuster have teamed to provide DVDs By Mail — a soon-to-be-archaic method of content distribution and quintuply befuddling given Comcast’s large data conduit into millions of customer’s homes. I assume DVDs By Mail is primarily a marketing arrangement on Comcast’s end and potentially good for … Read more

DivX, Coming Soon To A Store Near You?

I’ve been critical of DivX’s efforts to woo Hollywood in the past, but I’ve also got to give them credit for a win when I see one and I think they knocked it out of the park when it comes to Paramount. Recently, Paramount announced that they were going to be distributing content on USB … Read more