On the brink: Blockbuster to fade to black?

Most people haven't made it a Blockbuster night in years. Blockbuster Inc. (BBI), the largest video rental chain, has been fading slowly to black for some time, and nothing appears likely to slow that down.

Blockbuster's net income for the first quarter fell to $27.7 million, or 12 cents per share, from $45.4 million, or 20 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, the profit was 19 cents, surpassing average expectations for 14 cents, according to Reuters estimates.