Blockbuster to Close Down Remaining Stores

Credit: DISH

It looks like the days of video rental stores are now well and truly over.

Dish announced today that its subsidiary, Blockbuster L.L.C., will close its remaining retail locations and cease mail DVD distribution by early January 2014.

“This is not an easy decision, yet consumer demand is clearly moving to digital distribution of video entertainment,” said DISH’s president and chief executive officer Joseph P. Clayton in a statement. “Despite our closing of the physical distribution elements of the business, we continue to see value in the Blockbuster brand, and we expect to leverage that brand as we continue to expand our digital offerings.”

The Blockbuster By Mail service will end in mid-December 2013, though existing customers will continue to receive service until that time. As for the remaining retail stores — roughly 300 locations in total — those will close along with all the remaining distribution centers.

Of course, Dish will retain the brand’s licensing rights and key assets, including the former retail giant's “significant video library.” This is for the purpose of Dish’s Blockbuster @Home service, which offers an exclusive package of over 15 movie channels, in addition to the Blockbuster On Demand streaming video service, which isn't going anywhere.

It looks like Redbox and mom-and-pop video shops are the last bastions of retail, in-store rental, and as someone who spent his childhood getting uncharacteristically excited about renting movies like The Sandlot on VHS on Friday nights, this is more than a tiny bit sad. Sure, I could stream The Sandlot now, if I wanted, but it's the principle! I can't be the only one who's going to miss the rental store aroma of plastic containers, filtered air, and cheap popcorn, can I?

Via: Entertainment Weekly