Blockbuster Video gets Blu-rayed

Blockbuster Video gets Blu-rayed
totalaccesslogo.PNGBlockbuster Video, the nations’ largest video rental chain, has just announced that they will soon start stocking Blu-ray Disc movies in 1,450 stores throughout the USA. The rival format HD DVD will not be stocked at these same stores.
“Blockbuster Inc. will rent high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format in 1,450 stores when it expands its high-def offerings next month, dealing a major blow to the rival HD DVD format.”

“Blockbuster has been renting both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles in 250 stores since late last year and found that consumers were choosing Blu-ray titles more than 70 percent of the time.”


As the AP article mentions, Blockbuster has been carrying HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc titles in a limited capacity at 250 selected stores. These “select” 250 stores will continue to carry HD DVD titles along with Blockbuster online. Even so, the exclusivity of Blu-ray Discs inside the majority of Blockbuster brick and mortar stores will be a major blow to the HD DVD camp. The new Blu-blockbuster will strengthen the presence and market penetration of the Blu-ray Disc format throughout the United States.

Many consumers and industry analysts were surprised by the move, especially because of Blockbusters’ close relationship with Weinstein studios, an independent film studio who releases high definition movies exclusively on the HD DVD format.

About Wes Novack

Wesley Novack is a Technologist working in the software industry, with extensive experience building and managing highly available applications, services, and systems in the public cloud. He has a breadth of experience in online publishing, the consumer electronics industry, and building internet communities. Wes enjoys hanging with his family, skateboarding, hiking, the vegan lifestyle, and a good cup of tea. You can find him on Twitter @WesleyTech.

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9 Comments on “Blockbuster Video gets Blu-rayed”

  1. I bet the main reason Blockbuster picked Blu-ray is because of its BD+ feature, so renters will have problems making a backup copy onto their PC’s hard disks.

  2. Interesting speculation, but do you really think that Blockbuster cares about people making copies? I would think that Blockbuster just cares about renting as many movies as possible, getting as many customers as possible and making money. The Hollywood studios are the institutions that really care about backups and copying abilities…

  3. I wonder if all of the HD DVD owners will now move to Netflix. Netflix could also use it as an advantage to advertise their HD DVD library. From what I’ve heard, it is easier to get HD DVDs from Netflix, but I haven’t tried it myself.

  4. BD+ is a requirement demanded by the movie studios, since the first line of DRM defence was compromised by hackers. It is not up to Blockbuster to make that decision. Personally, I may not want to rent HD movies if I can not make backups to my hard disk for
    streamung purposes.

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