Blockbuster Was Beating Netflix. Then It Fired the Man Who Was Winning

In 2000, Netflix offered to sell itself to Blockbuster for $50 million, and Blockbuster said no. But that's not what killed it. Seven years later, Blockbuster was winning, until its own boardroom walked away from the plan that was working. Previous episode: Enron, the $70 billion company that vanished in 47 days. Sources: CNBC ("How Netflix almost lost the movie rental wars"), Marc Randolph, "That Will Never Work", D Magazine interview with former CEO Jim Keyes, Blockbuster bankruptcy filings (Sept. 2010), Dish Network acquisition reports (April 2011). For educational and entertainment purposes only. Not financial advice.