Bad News for Blockbuster

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
45,698
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Bad News for Blockbuster


Blockbuster [http://www.blockbuster.com/], the world's largest video and game rental company, has admitted that its huge debt load has left "substantial doubt" that it will be able to continue as a "going concern."

Blockbuster is struggling under the weight of $781 million in debt and while the company said last week that its revolving and term loan agreement had been amended to give it $250 million in revolving loan refinancing, on Monday it was revealed that the deal was subject to certain conditions which the company may not be able to meet.

Even if the loan is granted, Blockbuster warned it "may not have sufficient liquidity to finance the ongoing obligations of our business, which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern."

Launched in 1985, Blockbuster grew to become a behemoth in the video and game rental business. But the company has struggled in recent years against online movie distributors like very poorly received [http://www.netflix.com/]. It doesn't sound like the company is expecting things to turn around substantially in 2009, either; the company also reiterated its forecast for the 2009 fiscal year which called for lower worldwide same-store revenues compared to the fourth quarter of 2008.

Sources: Financial Post [http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/blockbuster-voices-substantial-doubt-about-ability-to-survive/]


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tendo82

Uncanny Valley Cave Dweller
Nov 30, 2007
1,283
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When it tried to merge with Circuit City last year I knew that was pretty much the beginning of the end.
 

Brainbomb

New member
Jan 6, 2009
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I use Netflix myself, and I must say I've sort'f been expecting this.

But that's the nature of the beast.
 

Kuliani

BEACUASE
Dec 14, 2004
795
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Bah. My wife and I are customers of Blockbuster Online, and for the most part, we've enjoyed it without much complaining. The thing we liked best was being able to turn our online-DVD into the store for a free rental of a different movie.

Of course, there will still be a market for DVDs gained without the postal service for quite some time, so I don't see them tanking totally.
 

Glerken

New member
Dec 18, 2008
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Can't say I care.
If I want to see a movie, I just go get it from the Redbox.
 

Jman1236

New member
Jul 29, 2008
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This sucks. Well I use a smaller chain video store to rent games since it's alot cheaper there than it is at blockbuster and you don't need a credit card to rent 360, PS3, or Wii games.

Does that mean games I have with the game pass won't have to be returned?
 

Disembodied_Dave

The Could-Have-Been-King
Feb 5, 2009
491
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Rental places are doomed. There's no way they can survive unless they completely copy netflix
 

scotth266

Wait when did I get a sub
Jan 10, 2009
5,202
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I use local rental buisnesses. Support the little man, and stop being lazy, ya bums!
 

sunami88

New member
Jun 23, 2008
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Doesn't matter what Blockbuster I go into, the service is always the same - terrible. I've been to quite a few different stores in different parts of Ontario too, still the same crappy service.

I won't be too sad to see them go, however I'm guessing that'll be alot of jobs...
 

Zersy

New member
Nov 11, 2008
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RougeWaveform said:
Rental places are doomed. There's no way they can survive unless they completely copy netflix
Am i the only person who does not have a complete knowledgde if what Netflix is ?

i know it's a video rental and watching service online

but thats about it
 

Mrsoupcup

New member
Jan 13, 2009
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Strong Intelligent said:
Good riddance, I always hated blockbuster.

I just...didn't like it...
I miss jumbo video, when I was little they had free popcorn..
 

dalek sec

Leader of the Cult of Skaro
Jul 20, 2008
10,237
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Sucks that they're going under but like someone said up stream that's the nature of the beast.
 

Disembodied_Dave

The Could-Have-Been-King
Feb 5, 2009
491
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UNKNOWNINCOGNITO said:
RougeWaveform said:
Rental places are doomed. There's no way they can survive unless they completely copy netflix
Am i the only person who does not have a complete knowledgde if what Netflix is ?

i know it's a video rental and watching service online

but thats about it
Then you know exactly what it is.
 

capnjack

New member
Jan 6, 2009
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It's time for Blockbuster to die if they can't keep up with technology.

Getting a loan is not gonna help a thing, and I think you'd be crazy to pour money into that company.