Blockbuster, Weinstein brothers cut deal

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The independent movie studio of Harvey and Bob Weinstein has picked Blockbuster Inc., which is based in Dallas, as its exclusive movie rental agency.

The 4-year partnership with the video store giant, which is struggling under fierce online competition and DVD sales by big retail chains, will begin in January, The Los Angeles Times said Thursday.

Blockbuster will pay an unspecified percentage of the box-office revenue for the right to rent each Weinstein Co. DVD as a way to keep it out of rival hands.

It is the first of its kind in the movie rental market and marks yet another effort by Blockbuster to fight online DVD rental giant Netflix Inc., which controls about 80 percent of the Internet rental market.

The agreement gives Blockbuster exclusive access to upcoming films "Bobby," a movie about the hours before Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's assassination, and "Shut Up & Sing," a documentary about the Dixie Chicks.