Blockbuster Video

Blockbuster Video is the largest chain of video tape, video game and DVD rental shops in North America. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has locations in twenty-nine countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Taiwan.

Related Topics:
Chain - Video tape - Video game - DVD - Rental shop - North America - Dallas - Texas - United States - Canada - UK - Australia - Taiwan

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Blockbuster opened its first store on October 19, 1985, and with Wayne Huizenga at the helm it soon grew into a multi-billion dollar corporation. It was sold to Viacom in 1994. On October 13, 2004 Blockbuster separated from Viacom at Viacom's request.

Related Topics:
October 19 - 1985 - Wayne Huizenga - Viacom - 1994 - October 13 - 2004

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At the end of 2004, Blockbuster's annual report put the number of U.S. stores at 5,803 (4,708 company-operated and 1,095 franchised). International stores (operating under Blockbuster and other brands) totalled 3,291, including 426 in Canada, 897 in Britain, and 408 in Australia. It has been claimed that there are more than 43 million U.S. households with Blockbuster memberships.

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Blockbuster offers an internet-based DVD rental service in the United States and the United Kingdom. Also, Blockbuster rolled out Blockbuster Movie and Game Passes, which allow customers to watch whatever movies or games they wish for a monthly fee, although stores limit the number of movies or games a customer can have out at any one time.

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Blockbuster also rolled out in-store Game Rush locations that provide a wide variety of games and systems, from older systems like the Nintendo Entertainment System to the modern PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube systems. Game Rush locations tend to offer special deals on game trading that seem to be focused on improving their inventory of used games rather than trying to actually cut a profit.

Related Topics:
Nintendo Entertainment System - PlayStation 2 - Xbox - GameCube

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The company has a large Irish subsidiary, Xtravision, which does not operate under the Blockbuster brand name. Blockbuster also owns Rhino Video Games and briefly attempted to acquire its competitor, Hollywood Video, in 2004.

Related Topics:
Irish - Xtravision - Brand name - Rhino Video Games - Hollywood Video

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