We all know the axiom that “all politics is local” — well, in the days of the Internet you can pretty much fill in the blank. In the case of Blockbuster you might say: “All quality is local,” or “All entertainment is local.” Too local, maybe. How is it possible for a company — a brand — to lose the entertainment foothold, to lose the living room of millions of consumers, and just fade away?
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Blockbuster was an entertainment staple when it was first conceived in the 1980s, and it remained a go-to source for movies into the new millennium. Yet, it appears to be the end of an era for the one-time video giant. Dish Network Corp., which bought the brand in 2011 as it was approaching bankruptcy, now plans to close its 300 remaining retail stores by early 2014.
At its pique of success, Blockbuster was a booming and lucrative franchise, allowing consumers to rent movies to watch at their leisure – a cheaper alternative to purchasing video tapes or heading to the theater. Read more.