Blockbuster releases On Demand video streaming app for iOS

Blockbuster announced its entrance back into the video streaming game in January after pledging to exit that market late last year. Today, Blockbuster's reincarnation as a video streaming service continues, as the company rolled out its On Demand app for iOS, bringing "thousands" of movies to iPads and iPhones running iOS 4.3 and up. By adding Apple devices to the fold, Blockbuster can now shoot movies to the majority of mobile devices -- previously it was only available for Android (plus Mac, PC, Roku and Samsung Smart TVs). So, if you're looking for 1080p video with 5.1 surround streaming to your Apple-fied mobile screen, your download awaits.

Source: Engadget

Blockbuster U.K. Acquired by Gordon Brothers

Blockbuster Video in the U.K. has been saved from bankruptcy thanks to acquisition by Gordon Brothers.

It was announced in Jan. that the U.K. version of Blockbuster Video had filed for administration, the country’s version of chapter 11 bankruptcy. The day to day operations of the 528 stores and nearly 4,200 employees were taken over by Deloitte, which has cut some of the retail locations since that time.

Gordon Brothers announced today that it is acquiring the company and will keep the doors open. It plans to keep the remaining 264 stores in operation as well as retain the remaining 2,000 employees.

Frank Morton, CEO of Gordon Brothers Europe said of the acquisition, “We acknowledge the industry is in transition; we know that we have a challenge ahead but there is still a market to be served.” He went on to add, “Blockbuster has a strong brand affinity and we believe that with the right mix of newproduct offering, new technologies, strategic management and marketing, we can bring new life to this high street staple. We look forward to working with employees, suppliers, landlords and other stakeholders to make this happen.”

The U.K. branch of Blockbuster operates separately from the U.S. arm which is also currently going through its own financial turmoil. Dish Network, which bought Blockbuster in 2011, announced earlier this year that it would be closing 300 more stores on top of the 500 it had already shuttered.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Blockbuster to close 164 stores, 800 jobs under threat

Another 164 Blockbuster stores are to close, threatening 800 jobs and leaving the DVD and game rental chain with less than half its stores surviving.

The latest round of closures is on top of 160 closures already announced. That takes the number of doomed Blockbuster stores to 324, leaving just 204 branches remaining of the 528 open when Blockbuster first went into administration.

The branches earmarked for closure will stay open for the time being, but there's no word on how long for. Fear not though -- stores will inform customers ahead of time to give you opportunity to return rented items. Returning items to a company that's about to go under, that'll definitely be at the top of the to-do list.

In the meantime, the Blockbuster website has a clearance sale, including a deal to get you 6 pre-owned DVDs for £10 -- and we're talking proper recent movies like True Grit, Star Trek andBridesmaids.

The administrators were called in in mid-January and are currently searching for a buyer to see if Blockbuster can continue trading.  

Blockbuster's administration is handled by Deloitte, which ushered Comet to the great high street in the sky last year and is also currently administering to ailing music and movie shop HMV. HMV is closing 66 stores in the UK, threatening nearly 1,000 jobs, and abandoning Ireland completely at the cost of 300 jobs.

Meanwhile camera emporium Jessops, which has disappeared from the high street, is to reopen online after buyers -- including Dragons' Den tellypreneur Peter Jones -- snapped up bits of the brand.

[Source: CNET]

T-Mobile & Blockbuster made my night for just a fiver!

 I love gaming, my second love is a good film, something like a few rounds of COD followed by sitting down to Avatar is pretty much all it takes to make my night perfect. On some occasions though I find myself at a loose end and fancy a change, but I just hate buying a game at full price and finding it is rubbish, so rental is sometimes the way to go. So, being on T-Mobile with my HTC Desire I took advantage of their special night in deal. To keep it simple, you have to text this special number and then they text you back a voucher code. Then you head on down to Blockbuster and you get a game and a film for two nights, plus a bottle of pop, some popcorn and a bag of the sugary stuff, all for just a fiver. This is just fantastic VFM.

I went for Avatar the Game for the PS3, having watched the film I really fancied a look at the game. Actually it was pretty fun, some awesome graphics and nice gameplay. The only downside are that the controls were a little hit and miss, but both myself and my mate had a blast at it. The film of choice just had to be The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, something weird and far out to go along with the popcorn. This film is so weird, following the life and adventures of the crazy doctor who has made a deal with the devil for eternal life. They travel around with this weird sideshow that takes visitors into another world. A plus point for myself is that Verne Troyer plays the part of Percy and I really like him as an actor. Although the storyline is quite hard to grasp, there are some wonderful visuals in the film that make it a very worthwhile watch. Even if I had paid £5 for just the film and game, I would rate it a bargain. The fact that you get drink, popcorn and sweets thrown into the mix, make it a no brainer. Thanks T-Mobile !

Full details of the deal are below, or simply follow this link.

• Rent a movie and a game, and grab some snacks – all for £5
• Pick a movie and a game, or 2 movies – for 2 nights
• Grab a bottle of cola, bag of popcorn and a bag of sweets
• Get this offer every single week, between Monday-Thursday
• Just text ‘NIGHT IN’ to 3000 for free, get your voucher code and pop in to your local Blockbuster store
• It’s that simple – and exclusive to T-Mobile Customers
• You'll need to be a T-Mobile customer and a member of Blockbuster to take advantage of this offer
• Simply text 'NIGHT IN' to 3000 for free. We'll send you a voucher code by text, which you have to show on your mobile phone in your local Blockbuster store to claim your 5 for £5