Skip to main content

Blockbusted: A Once-Iconic Video Rental Store is Sinking Fast

blockbuster closes stores why i still miss
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The hits keep on coming for Blockbuster as it sits crumpled in the corner of the ring, waiting for the bell.

Last week, Blockbuster UK was forced into administration, a move which imperiled 528 stores and 4,190 jobs. Then – just yesterday – BBC News reported that Blockbuster UK would close 129 stores across the pond, leaving 760 employees facing the threat of layoffs. According to Joint Administrator, Lee Manning, the move is a “… consequence of having to restructure the company to a profitable core which is capable of being sold.”

To top it all off, the third punch in the recent flurry landed today. Multiple outlets are reporting that Blockbuster now plans to close 300 stateside stores in the next few weeks, leaving the chain with only 500 stores in the U.S. Though that may sound like a healthy amount, consider that Blockbuster once laid claim to over 4,000 locations.

The surviving stores may now shift to selling smartphones and/or wireless subscriptions, as parent company Dish Network hopes something will stick to a wall that has repelled every projectile.

Dish insists that it still believes in the marketability of Blockbuster’s household name-brand, but if the company continues to be thwarted at every turn, we could see the complete dissolution of a one-time industry leader.

Can anything stop the internet from huffing and puffing and blowing brick and mortar down?

Adam Poltrack
Adam is an A/V News Writer for Digital Trends, and is responsible for bringing you the latest advances in A/V…
Samsung S95D OLED first look: a reflection on excellence
Samsung S95D OLED

I recently traveled to New Jersey to visit Samsung for an up-close and personal look at the flagship TVs in its 2024 lineup, which includes Samsung’s 8K Neo-QLED and 4K Neo-QLEDs, and the reason we’re here today: the S95D.

The S95D is Samsung’s flagship OLED TV for 2024, and it has been the subject of some consternation for some TV enthusiasts because it has a new anti-glare or anti-reflective screen coating. Is there any merit to that concern? Has it overshadowed how good this TV could actually be thanks to a new 3rd generation QD-OLED panel? Is it any brighter? Should we be excited about this TV?

Read more
Buy one of Samsung’s new TVs and get a free 65-inch 4K TV
Two majestic elk lock horns in a snowy scene shown on a Samsung QN90D.

We’ve seen many great TV deals in our time but one where you buy one TV and you get one free? That’s new on us! That’s exactly what will happen when you buy one of the new Samsung 2024 TVs at Best Buy. Add it to your basket and you can also get a Samsung 65-inch TU690T 4K TV entirely for free. There’s even free delivery and display setup and mounting for each TV. This is a fairly unbeatable offer but if you still want to know a little more about it, keep reading while we take you through what to expect.

Why you should buy a new Samsung 2024 TV
Encompassing a range of Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs, Samsung’s latest announcement regarding new TVs in 2024 is pretty exciting. It includes the Samsung QN900D 8K TV which we recently got early access to as well as more affordable models like the QN90D Neo QLED 4K TV and QN85D Neo QLED 4K TV.

Read more
Sennheiser’s fantastic Ambeo all-in-one soundbar is $800 off today
The Sennheiser Ambeo Max 5.1.4-channel soundbar in the living room.

There are soundbar deals for basic and budget-friendly models, but if you want the best possible audio for your home theater setup, you're going to have to make a significant investment. If you're willing to spend some serious cash, check out Best Buy's offer for the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max. An $800 discount brings its price down from $2,500 to $1,700, which still isn't cheap, but it's actually a steal for the cinematic experience that this soundbar will enable. You need to hurry with your purchase if you're interested though, as its price may return to normal as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max
The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max is the more powerful model of the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus that's featured in our roundup of the best soundbars. It's a 5.1.4-channel soundbar, which means it offers five channels -- the standard left and right channel, a center channel for improved dialogue clarity, and a pair of surround sound speakers -- a subwoofer, and four dedicated drivers that fire upwards to enable Dolby Atmos surround sound, as explained by our guide on how to buy a soundbar. The all-in-one soundbar will also allow you to customize your listening experience with its built-in equalizer.

Read more