Blockbuster Trumps Netflix Again -- How Sad

Netflix is and was a great idea and a great company. It changed the way we think about video and about home movies. It changed and enriched our lives. But, sadly, Netflix will in time become a footnote in history. Blockbuster just has too much money and is too aggressive a competitor and will increasingly beat Netflix out. A new acquisition undercuts Netflix still further and may be the final blow.There is no question that video rental stores and, even, video rentals through the mail will give way in time to the internet and downloading of videos directly to computers and TVs. Yesterday, Blockbuster announced the acquisition of MovieLink and, by so doing, its plans to get into the business of offering downloading services (to computer and other devices now and to TVs in time). Netflix has known this to be the direction of the future and has been testing and experimenting with downloading too. But with this acquisition, Blockbuster will be able to leapfrog Netflix and others and command this space. Too bad.Blockbuster's stock rose almost 8% yesterday. Even with the current volatility, Blockbuster continues to hold its own while Netflix suffers substantial declines.