DALLAS -- Video rental chain Blockbuster announced Thursday that it would be scrapping the popular VHS format throughout all of its stores in favor of stocking and renting out older-style Sony Betamax tapes.

"This switch back to Beta will free up shelf space in all of our Blockbuster stores, allowing us to retool and hopefully straighten out a few problems we've been having," said Blockbuster spokeswoman Tina Gaffney.

Beta tapes are smaller and hold less information.

"In the meantime, Blockbuster's loyal customer base, which has come to expect the terrific selection, quality and service that's found in all of our fine Blockbuster Video stores, can enjoy complete failure and confusion for an as-yet predetermined amount of time."

The Sony Betamax format, once as successful as the VHS format, slowly waned in popularity through the 1980s, gradually disappearing from the market.

"We'll be bringing back the VHS tapes as soon as possible," Gaffney said. "In the meantime, we ask that video renters please help us out by telling us what sorts of movies they'd like us to obtain for our stores.

"Although, remember, you won't be able to get any movie on Beta that was made after 1988 or so."

Blockbuster Inc. is a publicly traded subsidiary of Viacom.

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DALLAS -- Video rental chain Blockbuster announced Thursday that it would be scrapping the popular VHS format throughout all of its stores in favor of stocking and renting out older-style Sony Betamax tapes.

"This switch back to Beta will free up shelf space in all of our Blockbuster stores, allowing us to retool and hopefully straighten out a few problems we've been having," said Blockbuster spokeswoman Tina Gaffney.

Beta tapes are smaller and hold less information.

"In the meantime, Blockbuster's loyal customer base, which has come to expect the terrific selection, quality and service that's found in all of our fine Blockbuster Video stores, can enjoy complete failure and confusion for an as-yet predetermined amount of time."

The Sony Betamax format, once as successful as the VHS format, slowly waned in popularity through the 1980s, gradually disappearing from the market.

"We'll be bringing back the VHS tapes as soon as possible," Gaffney said. "In the meantime, we ask that video renters please help us out by telling us what sorts of movies they'd like us to obtain for our stores.

"Although, remember, you won't be able to get any movie on Beta that was made after 1988 or so."

Blockbuster Inc. is a publicly traded subsidiary of Viacom.

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!