Blockbuster to expand Blu-ray sales, rentals

Blockbuster Video has announced that it is finally moving to to expand its Blu-ray services. Although Blu-ray discs formally went on sale in the US in June of 2006, Blockbuster only began stocking the media in July of 2007, and then only in 1,700 of its outlets. The company now says that it will start selling and renting discs in some 5,000 stores, scattered throughout Canada and the United States. For people renting by mail, Blockbuster plans to offer Blu-ray as an optional default medium. HDTVs paired with PlayStation 3 consoles will serve as demonstration kiosks.

The major hindrance to Blu-ray expansion was likely the existence of HD DVD, which prior to its demise helped to split the HD optical market. Had Blockbuster invested too heavily in one format or another prior to a clear outcome, it might have been stuck with thousands of discs with little to no resale value. [via iPod Observer]

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: blu-ray, Blockbuster