Below is a timeline for all notable retailers related to home video. Some of these retailers may also be distributors. It should be noted that this website uses the term, “Home Video,” in two different ways. Firstly, it uses it as an umbrella term for the viewing of movies in the home, physical or otherwise. Secondly, its also the label given to the era in time where movies are being released on physical video formats.
May, 2010 (Selkirk Journal, 2010/07/09, pl. 5)
Movie Gallery Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Movie Gallery, parent company of Hollywood Video, decides to liquidate all of its assets after two previous Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings. The company begins the process of shutting down all their stores.
September 23th, 2010 (The Economist Online, 2010/09/23)
Blockbuster Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
After several poor decisions related to their DVD-by-mail program, and accruing a debt valued at $900 million, Blockbuster files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Over the next year, they would begin closing stores from their 3,300 store chain. Unable to meet the terms of their filing, the company is auctioned off to Dish Networks on April 6th, 2011 for $320 million. The remaining opened stores would continue to close.
August 1st, 2011 https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS317363613120110802
Hollywood Wins Injunction Against DVD Streaming Service
In April, a group of Hollywood studios lead by Warner Brothers, sued WTV Systems, the parent company to DVD-streaming service, Zediva.com. A court injunction shuts down the service, finding that copyright holders ought to have the right to determine how their films are viewed. Zediva responded to the decision, stating, “Today’s ruling represents a setback for the hundreds of thousands of consumers looking for an alternative to Hollywood-controlled online movie services.”
January 5th, 2021 (https://www.13abc.com/2021/01/05/family-video-closing-all-remaining-stores)
Family Video Announces the Closure of All Locations
The last of the big three American video rental chains, Family Video, announces they would be shutting down their remaining 250 stores due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Because they actually owned their properties rather than leased them, they were able to hold out longer than the other chains. They continued selling movies on their website until March 2022.