Home Media Magazine - February 3-9, 2008 - (Page 1)

FEBRUARY 3–9, 2008 >> ELECTRO N IC DELIVERY CinemaNow CEO: Open Standard Download Key By Erik Gruenwedel quarter of 2007 purchased ews that Apple video content online. Of iTunes has expandthe paid video downloads, ed beyond episodic a clear majority (77%) television programming to was TV programming, offer movie rental streams including 33% that could from the major studios can’t be viewed for free on TV hide the fact the video downMarvis network Web sites. load market remains marThe study found that 30% ginally accretive at best. of early adopters purchased one video The NPD Group found that just title per quarter, with just 14% of those 2% of Web-based homes in the first See CINEMANOW, Page 26 INSIDE >> Same-Day DVD and VOD Cablevision starts a new service. >> Time Warner Launches Site The site lists ondemand offerings. PAGE 10 N BRINGING DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TO YOU >> HIGH-DEF INSIDE Abroad The Format War By Chris Tribbey he high-def format war runs hot in North America, with each piece of daily news causing giant waves. But in the rest of the world, high-def causes barely a ripple. Everyone outside of the United States is sitting back, watching Blu-ray and HD DVD duke it out. Because, analysts agree, high-def will likely live or die based on what happens in North America. “Outside the U.S. the high-def market is still exceptionally small, a result of higher hardware costs and later launch dates,” said Richard Cooper, video analyst with research firm Screen Digest. Andy Parsons, SVP of product planning for the home entertainment group at Pioneer Electronics and marketing director of the Blu-ray Disc Association, said: “I think one reason the situation in the U.S. is closely watched has a lot to do with Hollywood See HD FORMAT, Page 28 Latino Confab In April By Billy Gil ome Media Magazine April 8 is hosting its fifth annual Latino DVD Conference, a full day dedicated to the Latino home entertainment industry. The conference this year moves to a new location, at the InterContinental Hotel & Resorts in Los Angeles. Latino DVD 5 is produced by Home Media Magazine in cooperation with DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, The Hollywood Reporter and the Entertainment Merchants Association. With this year’s theme, Tuning in to Latino DVD, the conference will take a close look at the dominance of music in Latino films, from music-themed dramas and documentaries to feature films supported by hot soundtracks featuring popular Latin artists. Latino DVD 5 also will include a ceremony presenting the winners of the fourth annual Latino DVD Awards. The event is open to the trade only. Advance registration fees are $295 for DEG and EMA members and Hollywood Reporter subscribers, and $345 for all others. Press registration is available by contacting Kristina Kronenberg at kkronenberg@questex.com or 714/338-6743. Visit latinodvd.homemediaconferences.com for more info. >> Blu’s Got it Research says Blu-ray will undoubtedly win. >> Sonic Ends HD DVD Work Sonic Solutions sticks with Blu. PAGE 8 T H Illustration: Charles Park PS3 A BOON FOR SONY GAMING H IG H-DE F MAR KET S HAR E Blu-ray and HD DVD Sales Comparison as of 1/27/08 Week Ended 1/27 Year-to-Date I Blu-ray I HD DVD By Chris Tribbey Since Inception I 18% 82% 77% 23% 64% 36% Source: Nielsen VideoScan: First Alert data t took a year and a half, but the PlayStation 3 is finally proving to be a boon for Sony’s gaming unit. For the third quarter (ended Dec. 31), the Tokyo-based company announced a 25% jump in net income. The PS3, the No. 1 selling Blu-ray player worldwide, helped contribute to a more than 31% jump in sales for Sony’s gaming segment, compared to the same period last year. “This improvement was primarily due to a significant decrease in the operating losses of the PS3 business as a result of successful PS3 hardware cost reductions,” the company said in a statement. Sony sold 4.9 million PS3s during the third quarter, an increase of 3.24 million units compared to the same quarter of 2006. NEWS The merger between Image Entertainment and BTP Acquisition hits another snag, with mutual accusations of a deal breach. PRODUCT Director Kevin Keating discusses his documentary Giuliani Time, re-releasing on DVD from Cinema Libre Studio on “Super Tuesday.” RESEARCH Disney had a winning strategy for The Game Plan, which released at the peak of football season and topped the sales and rental charts. Page 4 Page 20 Page 22 http://latinodvd.homemediaconferences.com http://latinodvd.homemediaconferences.com

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Contents News Commentary Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced

Home Media Magazine - February 3-9, 2008

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