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Blockbuster's Missed Netflix Deal and Rapid Decline

Blockbuster Video once had an opportunity to purchase Netflix for $50 million in 2000, but CEO John Antioco declined the offer, saying their audience was too small and niche. At that time, Netflix had launched its online platform in 1997 and expanded to a direct-to-door DVD service the following year. This service offered a vast catalog of DVDs, which began affecting Blockbuster’s sales.

Blockbuster was growing during this period. In Columbus, Ohio, for example, the eighth Blockbuster location opened in 1990 near Graceland Shopping Center in Clintonville and by 1991 there were 10 locations in the city. In 2004, Blockbuster operated 9,094 stores, while Netflix reported profits of $49 million per year. Blockbuster later introduced an online DVD subscription program but became involved in a patent infringement lawsuit with Netflix. The dispute was settled in 2007 on undisclosed terms.

Competition increased over time. By the start of 2010, Blockbuster had reduced its number of stores to 6,500, and by the end of that year the figure had fallen to 3,425. The company filed for bankruptcy, and in 2011, Blockbuster was purchased by Dish Network for $320 million. Dish Network then attempted to revive the streaming concept by launching Blockbuster on Demand and Blockbuster@Home. However, by 2013 Blockbuster was down to 300 brick-and-mortar stores.

Today, only one Blockbuster location remains, in Bend, Oregon. In Columbus, the storefront at 5070 N. High St. now serves as a Nationwide Children’s Hospital Primary Care center, and the Columbus Metropolitan Library is located in Clintonville.

Source: Columbus Library

Source Type: Library

Source Location: Columbus

Mar 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM

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