Blockbuster to close remaining 300 U.S. stores [video]
chicagotribune.com
chicagotribune.com
I'd say RedBox provides 80% of the experience; online options provide the rest. However, read the article, as it touches on the reality: the illusion of choice. Almost everyone who goes into a Blockbuster is interested in the same couple of dozen options that the RedBox provides for a fraction of the (business) cost. For the most part, everything else that was in Blockbuster was merely filler.
I found nearly half of the good movies I ever watched simply by looking at DVD covers of older titles there. Yes, it had lots of filler. Netflix has even more filler percentage-vise.
The thing I disliked about Blockbuster was that renting new stuff there was a stressful experience where you felt ripped off at the end. It was too expensive and the time limits were way too short.
For long tail, Blockbuster wouldn't stand a chance against online alternatives at the price point needed to support physical stores. From what I remember of Blockbuster (and it's been years since I've been to one), their rentals were about the same price as renting from iTunes today. Not to mention that most of the really long tail content is available for instant streaming from Netflix, even if you didn't want to wait for a DVD.
1) It promotes DVD purchasing (by encouraging DVD usage).
2) It is a complimentary service to your local 7-11/CVS/Safeway.
Pick up a box of popcorn with your movie.
3) RedBox buys DVDs in the same schema that Blockbuster
did -- a schema content producers are used to.See the warnings on DVD trailers about not playing this DVD on oil rigs.
With correct licencing it'd be easy. But that opens up some weird bureaucracy.
I think the toughest thing would be getting the sound and viewing distances right, and what that would mean for how many people you can service per square foot. But in a modern cineplex-style building, you could stack all of these mini-theaters pretty high, I'm thinking.
It's a little bit more expensive than the regular cinema (right next door) but that's good.
http://www.thescreeningrooms.co.uk/experience
They don't show any photos of the inside which is stupid, because it's nice. This trip advisor page has some user supplied photos. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186284-d3207...
If you're worried about copyrights and having your own content, split it into two stores - one small shop that does nothing but rent games/movies and one bigger area (physically separate, two separate entrances, owned by two separate corporations) that provides the viewing area.
There are a few perks with the store as well. The lady that runs it lets me get away with murder on returning movies late. There's a vast selection. Older movies (6 months+) are $1, and the rental lasts a week. For movies not available through Netflix and Prime, that deal kills the rental cost + term from the digital competition (as an example, I Am Legend is $1.99 on Amazon to rent for 24 hours). So in my household, I can watch the movie today, another person can watch it several days later; that nicely beats what Amazon & Co offer me.
Overall I find the store to be a positive experience, I'm glad it still exists.
For new movies they use a revenue sharing agreement, and they own the older movies.
On the other hand, Blockbuster is a tarnished brand name IMO due to the way they treated customers.
I've heard this a few times. Personally, I've never had a bad experience with Blockbuster. I'd been a card carrying member for over twenty years. Switched from Netflix to Blockbuster back when they were just DVD By Mail services because the added value Blockbuster had with the physical locations. I've not heard anything very specific about what types of things they did to those unhappy customers. The brand is not tarnished for me. I understand why they died. But it is still a little bit sad.