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Flixed Newsletter 2 - Feb.3/2020

Flixed Newsletter 2 - Feb.3/2020

Flixed Newsletter - Blockbuster Video...Is Alive? On Sling TV?

Issue 5: February 3, 2020

The name 'Blockbuster' holds a lot of memories for Americans, but most of us thought the company was dead. Apparently not, as this week Sling TV announced a new plan to offer free movies on Fridays through Blockbuster. What does this mean for Blockbuster, Sling TV, and the streaming market? Read on to find out more in this week's Stream Report.

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Streamer's Spotlight: Sling TV's Weird Revival of Blockbuster

For many of us, the name "Blockbuster Video" drums up some positive memories, but also a bit of a chuckle. The company famously fell to Netflix as it failed to keep up in the on-demand streaming market. As well, and has been well-documented, Blockbuster's own

hubris in rejecting a buy offer

from Netflix was thrown in the company's face not long after once Netflix started dominating the market.

All of that history comes to a head this week as Sling TV announced plans to partner with Blockbuster to offer

"Friday Free Movie Nights"

. The big question here (beyond "Wait...Blockbuster is still alive?") is what this means for Sling TV and Blockbuster in an increasingly crowded and complex streaming market.

For Sling TV, a Hint of Nostalgia

This new "Friday Free Movie Nights" offer from Sling TV also means Blockbuster gets its way right back into the homes of millions of Americans. Notably, DISH Network, which also owns Sling TV, bought Blockbuster for $320 million back in 2011. For the most part, it appeared to have done little with the brand during the past 9 years. This could be a signal that DISH has bigger plans for the brand name, and could be testing the waters through Sling TV.

For Blockbuster, a Reminder

Indeed, the Blockbuster brand name is still a strong part of the American cultural ethos. And while Netflix certainly replaced it in terms of home movies, name recognition does mean something. DISH certainly didn't pay $320 million for the Blockbuster franchise just to have that investment squandered away.

There's quite a lot of potential life left in the brand, if DISH can figure out what to do with it. While it's unlikely DISH will try to make a Netflix competitor out of Blockbuster (which Blockbuster tried and failed to do already, but who knows), the company could still reap the benefit of the brand name through other avenues.

As with many business decisions in the streaming market, we'll have to wait and see what the big whigs plan to do. For now, enjoy your Flashback Friday movies from Sling + Blockbuster

using this link