Blu-ray Disc Sales Up 351 Percent
The boost puts the DVD industry in the black.
By Swanni
The high-def disc format benefited from increased awareness of the category and Toshiba's decision to exit the HD DVD business at the end of March, ceding victory to Blu-ray.
Home Media reports that the rise in Blu-ray sales led to the first increase in consumer spending on home video in two years. In 2007, total sales fell 0.5 percent and they decreased 0.4 percent in 2006.
But the publication writes that consumer spending was up one percent in the first three months of 2008, totaling $5.51 billion, compared to the first three months of 2007.
Sales rose 2.3 percent while rental spending fell 1.6 percent.
The rise in Blu-ray sales explains why the Hollywood film studios are anxious to promote the new high-def disc. Many executives believe it can help revitalize the dormant DVD industry.
Home Media writes that I Am Legend, starring Will Smith, was the number one selling title. Enchanted was second, followed by American Gangster, Bee Movie and 3:10 to Yuma.
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