Everyone is wondering what Dish Network will do with Blockbuster, and according to Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen (via Ryan Lawler at NewTeeVee) they haven't figured out what to do with Blockbuster yet:
“On Blockbuster, they were running negative EBITDA, and probably still are… but the good news is we have control of the asset now, so we can start making the right long-term decisions there,” Ergen said.
A lot of the decision-making for Dish will also be about piecing together parts that it has recently acquired in a way that makes sense. From this perspective, Ergen referred to Dish’s plans as a “Seinfled strategy.” That is, a lot of things happen in the first 28 minutes of each Seinfeld episode that might not necessarily make sense. But each episode gets tied together some way in the final minutes of the show.
“I think in terms of where we’re going strategically, you’ll have to just wait and see where it all comes together,” Ergen said. “That’s a little hard to explain it and it’s early in the show, so to speak. Then for you skeptics out there, of course, Seinfeld was a show about nothing, so it could be a strategy about nothing… But I think that everything we do has a purpose and we feel like it ultimately fits together.”
They should just come out and say "We bought Blockbuster b/c we really like the name Blockbuster and were willing to pay $260 million for the rights to that name but we have no idea what we're going to do with it."
On second thought, I guess that's what they did say.
Posted by: Bob E. | May 03, 2011 at 09:04 AM
After reading a sub-linked article to this OP link (http://gigaom.com/video/dish-echostar-tivo-patent-settlement/), it seems to me the short of it was Dish bought Blockbuster so that it could partner with TiVo (as part of the TimeWarp courtcase settlement) to promote and develop Blockbuster video service. TiVo might see this a Second Life opportunity for their company.
As for Blockbuster: The DVD Rental Company it appears that the fog of war is only getting thicker. Running storefront operations isn't something I think Dish is familar with doing so it will be interesting to see what's next.
Posted by: dAVe | May 03, 2011 at 11:00 AM
My observation so far has been that literally every new release title in my queue now shows up under Blockbuster on-line rental as "On Order". Example for this week - Green Hornet (2011), Ward 6 (2006), and Mao's Last Dancer (2009), are all On Order. Last week's new releases (in my queue) had 4 titles as On Order. Appears Blockbuster isn't paying the studios - hence no new releases actually available, even though they show up in the Blockbuster catalog.
I find it strange nobody has commented on this recent lack of availability for new releases at Blockbuster on-line. It's quite frustrating.
Posted by: CJ | May 03, 2011 at 12:35 PM
@CJ: I had noticed it for more obscure titles, this is the first week that big releases are not available.
Posted by: Terrible Idea | May 03, 2011 at 01:17 PM
I went to my bb store they don't have Green hornet or the Dilemma this is the first time that i can't get a new blu-ray what a bummer!
Posted by: jv42 | May 03, 2011 at 03:23 PM
I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Looking forward to another great blog. Good luck to the author! all the best!
Posted by: dvdipad | May 03, 2011 at 11:28 PM
watch what they are doing not what they are saying!!!
Posted by: Osama Hastings | May 04, 2011 at 10:46 AM
dish network aka charlie is looking for ways to get rid of netflix.
Posted by: alan | May 04, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Green Hornet shipped others still showing On Order.
Posted by: Terrible Idea | May 05, 2011 at 11:22 AM
My local blockbuster stores in the St. Louis area said they were supposed to get the Green Hornet in the store Friday, May 6, 2011. However, they didn't and the Dilemma movie wasn't ordered either! Many other new titles have been On Order and this is very frustrating considering I only rent new movies on Tuesdays and I am paying for their total access highest priced plan.
I put my account on Hold and e-mailed them to ask for a waiver on my next month fees. Otherwise, I am cancelling until this mess gets fixed!
Posted by: Tanya | May 06, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Last week my Blockbuster store only got one new release GREEN HORNET at the end of the week. I have a movie pass and if this continues for two more weeks, I am cancelling the pass. I was told today that even though they have three new release posted none will actually be delivered this week. I might have to wait 28 days but at least REDBOX does deliver the new releases eventually. I guess that is better than advertising 28 days before everybody else but never actually getting them.
Posted by: RAYMOND KNIGHT | May 09, 2011 at 02:31 PM