Shortly after Dallas-based Blockbuster reported a quarterly loss of $359.7 million yesterday, CEO Jim Keyes hopped on a conference call with analysts to reassure them that, look, all's not lost. And while there are myriad reasons for the current state of hurt ar 1201 Elm Street that has led to shares worth 80 cents today -- competition from Netflix, which is currently trading well above the $41 mark, and the set-top box's failure to launch so far -- Keyes had some not-especially-kind things to offer to the folks who stock Blockbuster's shelves. Seeking Alpha offers the earnings-call transcript in which Keyes says:

We think the single biggest driver in the current marketplace the last few months has been title strength and this week is a classic example. Box office is down 56% this week versus the previous year. I think the titles say it all. This week we are proud to offer Punisher: War Zone and Elegy, which are good movies but stacked up against last year's Enchanted, Atonement and I Am Legend, I think that kind of says it all. We have been facing this the last couple of months. Good movies but not great box office hits that we have had. At the same time we have seen unprecedented theatrical strength. As you know this is great for our business in about three months. When it is going on it represents a draw in particular on Friday and Saturday nights for those people who decide to go to the theaters so see Slumdog Millionaire, Watchmen, Paul Blart Mall Cop, and so that has had an effect on us for the first quarter as well.


http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/03/why_is_blockbuster_suffering_s.php

There have been alot of crappy movies coming out lately, and it does seem like finding good movies is fewer and far between these days. I'm sure the economy also has alot to do with the losses that Blockbuster has seen, along with Comcast offering new titles almost immediately after their DVD releases. Hopefully things will pick up for Blockbuster though, because I've always liked them. I'm going to be re-joining their DVD by mail program next month, so I'll be doing my part to help. I prefer blockbuster over Netflix because of their in store rental policy, as well as the fact that you can usually get the new releases quicker with them, whereas with Netflix there's usually a waiting period for new releases.

I'm thinking about joining the Blockbuster by mail program too. But I also think Blockbuster gets a lot of competition from Red Box. Red Box is really starting to get popular in a lot of areas and you see them more and more.

Not to sound cruel, but I'm shedding no tears over this. I was turned down for a job by Blockbuster twice. You had to fill out a computerized application and I supposedly failed the "personality" test. So I said screw them!

Not to sound cruel, but I'm shedding no tears over this. I was turned down for a job by Blockbuster twice. You had to fill out a computerized application and I supposedly failed the "personality" test. So I said screw them!

I know how you feel. I had to fill out a "personality" test a few years ago when I applied for a job at a EB Games store and I failed. I know a lot of major retail stores, restaurants and other franchise businesses include personality tests which I think it is pretty stupid.

I think it's an insult!! :mad:

i haven't been to a Blockbuster in years, and I probably won't go to one ever again; they closed down the one closest to us and most of the time I will wait to watch newer movies on Showtime/HBO/Starz or if its something I'm really into I'll just buy the dvd when it comes out.

I think your personality is just fine Monika - its their personality test that fails.

^ Thank you!! :D

i haven't been to a Blockbuster in years, and I probably won't go to one ever again; they closed down the one closest to us and most of the time I will wait to watch newer movies on Showtime/HBO/Starz or if its something I'm really into I'll just buy the dvd when it comes out.

I think your personality is just fine Monika - its their personality test that fails.

I haven't been to one in about five years or so. My sister used to go a lot and we would usually rent newer movies. Over time my sister got more into buying DVD's and stopped her membership. But I think I might join the by mail program because there are times I regret buying certain DVD's.

I just reserve them from the library. It's win/win - it's free and you're not stuck with the movie if you hate it!! :D

I hate blockbuster. The ones here only feature the big hits of Hollywood from the past couple of years. No diversity at all.

lol I just applied there. I lied on the personality test for some of the questions and picked answers I thought they were looking for. Who knows, they could be tricking me into doing just that. Pshaw, that test was RIDIC, though. So stupid.

The interweb has killed Blockbuster. People can rent DVDs online or watch them directly on thier computers.

I liked going to Blockbuster, but I just don't have time to do that anymore. Now I have movies waiting for me in my mailbox.

Our very own Jude used to work for Blockbuster, or as he called it, "Blockhead" video. :rofl:

Oh waah, waah, waah!

:crybaby:

So Slumdog Millionaire is at the theaters right now? What's on DVD? Only "The Black Knight" "Mamma Mia," and "Prince Caspian." Also, Walt Disney has recently released "Pinocchio" and "Oliver and Company" - two classics that are certainly doing well in DVD sales (and haven't been in the theatres for at least 20 years).

There are always great films coming out on DVD - new releases or otherwise. They can't blame their losses on Hollywood, that's just pathetic. Their losses are due to a sudden rise in competition from several sources. People are certainly watching "Pinocchio," they just aren't doing it through Blockbuster.

Many grocery stores chains pretty much don't rent movies out in their stores anymore. Most grocery stores have Red Boxes.

Nobody rents movies anymore. They just buy films if they like them.:)

Nobody rents movies anymore. They just buy films if they like them.:)

Tell that to Netflix.

Tell that to Netflix.

I don't need to. Walmart is our biggest customer.;)

Our very own Jude used to work for Blockbuster, or as he called it, "Blockhead" video. :rofl:


that's right..........I gave 2 years of my life to that soul sucking godless operation! :mad: When corporate bought our franchise, it was the beginning of the end. This P.O.S. company never paid me for the 32 hours of vacation time it owes me nor the backtime for all those months for being in the assistant manager position, but not getting the pay.

Needless to say, I haven't walked into that place since I went to get my final paycheck. I rent from Netflix and sometimes from the only other video place in town called MovieWorld. I heard there is a Redbox located at our Wal-mart, but that's another store I really avoid as well.

i'm curious, what kind of questions do those personality tests ask?

I supposedly failed the "personality" test.


http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tzgames/ScreenHunter_01Mar250235.gif

I haven't been to Blockbuster in a couple or more years. I rent my movies from Netflix which is more convenient for me. I turn in my movies on Friday nights at the post office and Tuesday I usually get the newest release. I watched Twilight tonight.

i'm curious, what kind of questions do those personality tests ask?


The questions are usually about how you work well with other people and what would do or feel in certain situations. I haven't taken one of those tests in awhile so I can't remember some of the other questions.

The questions are usually about how you work well with other people and what would do or feel in certain situations. I haven't taken one of those tests in awhile so I can't remember some of the other questions.
Yes, that's basically the type of questions I was asked. I'm sorry I wasn't good enough to meet their high and mighty standards. :rolleyes:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tzgames/ScreenHunter_01Mar250235.gif
:rofl:

I hardly ever rent a movie. Movies use to be so good. Don't know what happened. :crazy:

that's right..........I gave 2 years of my life to that soul sucking godless operation! :mad: When corporate bought our franchise, it was the beginning of the end. This P.O.S. company never paid me for the 32 hours of vacation time it owes me nor the backtime for all those months for being in the assistant manager position, but not getting the pay.

Needless to say, I haven't walked into that place since I went to get my final paycheck. I rent from Netflix and sometimes from the only other video place in town called MovieWorld. I heard there is a Redbox located at our Wal-mart, but that's another store I really avoid as well.
That's obscene. :mad: No wonder you can't stand them. Sorry it had to happen to you, Jude. ohno:

I hardly ever rent a movie. Movies use to be so good. Don't know what happened. :crazy:


I couldnt agree more.