Blockbuster

Blockbuster operates a large chain of DVD, Blu-Ray and video game rental stores as well as the Internet rental delivery service Blockbuster Online. Their Game Pass program allows subscribers to rent video games for a monthly fee instead of individual rental charges. In January 2009, Blockbuster announced a deal to enhance their Blockbuster Ondemand services through a partnership with Sonic Systems, makers of Roxio software. The deal would allow the distribution of movies on a broader range of media than just the set top box offered by Blockbuster.PC World: Blockbuster Deal to Put Movies on ... (January 14, 2009)

1. October 19, 1985: Cook opens first Blockbuster store
2. 1994: Bought by Viacom for $8.4 billion
3. 1996: Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation becomes Blockbuster, Inc.
4. 2004: Splits from Viacom, introduces Blockbuster Online to compete with Netflix, launches Game Pass

When Blockbuster announced its quarterly results on March 19, 2009, it was clear that the company would not be declaring bankruptcy this year, despite growing concerns for the its future amidst plummeting rentals and competition with Netflix. However, lenders are giving the flailing company an additional year to replay their revolving credit facility. Even then, if the company should be forced to declare bankruptcy in 2010, it would not be closing down all of its locations, but rather restructuring its debt and preparing for a turnaround.NewTeeVee: Blockbuster: Now Only Slightly Less Miserable! (March 21, 2009)

• • Slate Magazine: The last days of Blockbuster (January 9, 2006)

• Variety.com: Vid biz gets shaft from jolting techno-changes, quixotic consumers (October 9, 2005)

• Yahoo! Finance: Profile for Blockbuster

• Wikipedia: Blockbuster Background

• Official Site: Blockbuster Online Company Overview

• iFilm: Blockbuster Video commercials

• The Onion: Struggling Blockbuster Eliminates Rental Fees (September 25, 2006)