Blockbuster stock below NYSE standards

DALLAS Blockbuster announced that it was notified by the New York Stock Exchange that it is not currently in compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standard that requires the average closing price of the company's common stock be no less than $1.00 per share over a consecutive 30 trading-day period.

Blockbuster will have six months from the date of notice to bring its share price and average price back to or above $1.00, as is required under NYSE rules. During this time the Blockbuster's common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE, subject to compliance with other NYSE continued listing requirements. If the company has not resolved price condition deficiency by the end of the cure period, its common stock would be subject to delisting by the NYSE.

Blockbuster also announced that its board of directors has authorized a combination of its shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock into a single class of shares of common stock. Blockbuster's dual class capital structure was originally established in connection with Blockbuster's prior ownership by Viacom. Blockbuster said it believes that elimination of the dual class capital structure will improve the liquidity of its common stock and end confusion regarding the differences between the two classes of common stock. The combination will be subject to obtaining the requisite stockholder approvals at Blockbuster's annual stockholders meeting in 2010 and will not take effect until such approvals are obtained. Blockbuster's board of directors may explore additional alternatives with respect to its capital structure if necessary to cure the price condition deficiency.