Will Blockbuster change its mind on Blu-ray?

[skubrick]

I read that article this morning, and it didn't worry me at all. I work at a Blockbuster carrying Blu-Rays in Lincoln, NE. And I don't see BB losing interest in BluRay.

To preface...
We got about 170 BD's to start in early July. It took about four weeks to get any new ones, 'Premonition' being the first sent with the New Release shipment. And ever since then we usually get one or two new movies per week on BD. We've never had more than a single copy of a title to rent on BD, even 300

And with about 180 titles, we often have as little as 10 checked out during the week and as much as 35 - 40 on weekends. There are three of us employees who usually rent BD's every week, so take us out of the mix and not many get rented. But that's mostly because most people still don't know what it is. We get people asking daily 'what's blu-ray?'

Since early July, we've had only one person, to my knowledge ask why we don't carry HD-DVD's, and several people express their 'thanks' that we decided to carry BD's.

Although it's been slow to catch on, I think the demand is definitely increasing. Customers can rent BD's on the movie pass. And online exchanges work for BD's. I'm not sure if coupons work for them. I haven't tried it, yet.

Overall, I DON'T think Blockbuster will pick up HD-DVD. The demand just isn't there. And I DON'T think they will get rid of BD's any time soon. It would be stupid to offer them for a while, then get rid of them and people would have to go back to SD's. And BB is VERY slow at making changes on a corporate level. Still, nothing to my knowledge has been communicated internally regarding the Paramount deal. The higher-ups know, of course. But it's like they don't care. BB won't change anything unless something MAJOR happens.

What worries me more is that article on tvpredictions about the $199 HD-DVD player from Canada.

Still, I'll remain faithful that BR is in control as long as we keep the original 4 studios. I mean, honestly, I think Disney could make their own format, and even if they were the only ones distributing on it, people would still buy it. Don't underestimate the power of the Disney.