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Blockbuster launched streaming before Netflix, but limited broadband made it unviable

Alistair Croll · Just evil enough: Subversive marketing strategies for startups | Alistair Croll · Nov 3, 2024 · at 6:26

Alistair Croll, author and startup adviser, discusses how Netflix outmaneuvered Blockbuster by leveraging the postal service instead of prematurely pushing video streaming.

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“A lot of people forget that Blockbuster had streaming first. Streaming wasn't a good play at the start of the online video industry, because The penetration of broadband in the U S was very limited.”

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