Newsvine - Can Blockbuster afford $1B bid for Circuit City?

Blockbuster, which has been busy trying to fix its own movie-rental business, is making a hostile takeover bid of just over $1 billion for Circuit City with dreams of creating a huge chain that would sell electronic gadgets and rent movies and games.

The offer is larger than Blockbuster's entire stock-market value, but Chief Executive James Keyes said he was confident his company can swing the deal and that the move has the support of one of his board members, financier Carl Icahn, who could help with financing.

Icahn, Blockbuster's largest shareholder, did not return calls for comment.

Keyes said combining the companies would create a 9,300-store chain that could sell portable devices and entertainment for them, much like Apple's stores. The larger Circuit City stores would have movie-rental stores inside, and Blockbuster locations would offer a limited selection of electronics.

Newsvine - Can Blockbuster afford $1B bid for Circuit City?

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