According to figures released by the DEG: Digital Entertainment Group, Q3 this year shows the continued stabilization of the industry, underscored by significant gains in Blu-ray Disc and solid increases in electronic sell- through (EST) spending. Overall consumer spending rose nearly 5% compared to Q3 last year; this is the first time spending has increased since the first quarter of 2008 when the economic downturn began.
Highlights from the research included:
- Blu-ray Disc and EST continued their steady gains with consumer spending on Blu- ray sell-through up 58% and EST up nearly 13% compared to the same period last year.
- For major box-office hits, sales of packaged goods often surpass 50% on Blu- ray in their first week of release.
- Catalogue Blu-ray sales are also on the rise, with year-to-date increases of more than 60%, led by the sales of popular classics such as Star Wars, Citizen Kane, Scarface and The Big Lebowski, among others.
- Among the various services and platforms for delivering filmed entertainment to consumers, Blu-ray, EST, and streaming all saw growth in third quarter 2011. These also represent some of the industry’s highest growth margin areas.
- The number of Blu-ray homes continues to climb, soaring 52% in Q3 2010 (including BD set-tops, PS3s and HTiBs.) Total household penetration of all Blu-ray compatible devices now stands at more than 33.5 million US homes.
- Further, 5.5 million HDTVs were sold to US consumers in the third quarter 2011. HDTV penetration to date is now at more than 69.5 million US households.
According to the DEG: “The industry is confident the holiday season will be strong,” with theatrical blockbusters coming to home entertainment in Q4 including Captain America: The First Avenger, Cars 2, Cowboys & Aliens, Hangover 2, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Help, Kung Fu Panda 2, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Smurfs, and Water for Elephants.
