Home Media Magazine - September 16-22, 2007 - (Page 3)

SEPTEMBER 16–22, 2007 >> E LE C T R O N I C D E LI V E RY Air Guitar Nation INSIDE Film Downloads to Hit $1.3B By 2011 movie downloads will account for 3% of movie home entertainment revenue, according to Screen Digest. Apple May Have Rentals News outlets report Apple may launch a movie rental service on iTunes. iTunes Picks Up New Video The A&E distributor will offer 10 docs. B R I N G I N G D I G I TA L E N T E R TA I N M E N T TO YO U PAGE 14 >> H I G H-D E F New Line Goes High-Def Studio plans to release in both formats; Blu-ray of ‘Hairspray’ first title By Thomas K. Arnold ew Line Home Entertainment has become the latest studio to jump into high-definition disc waters, announcing that its first next-generation release will be the 2007 musical version of Hairspray. The film, which grossed $107.3 million in theaters, will be released on standard DVD and Blu-ray Disc Nov. 20. An HD DVD edition will follow, although no firm release date has been set. New Line’s support of both next-generation formats isn’t surprising, given that the label is distributed by Warner Home Video. Paramount’s recent defection from the Blu-ray camp left Warner the only major studio to support both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. See NEW LINE, Page 30 Blockbuster Adding More ‘Heaven’-ly Executives By Erik Gruenwedel service said EVP and COO Nick R E TA I L In the 1970s soulful TV jin- Shepherd will leave the company at gle, “Oh Thank Heaven for the end of the month — less 7-Eleven,” the ubiquitous than five months after being food chain attempted to promoted to the position. convey its one-stop-shop Blockbuster did not name convenience. Today, Blocka replacement for the 12-year buster Inc. appears to be veteran, once considered a learning the same tune. possible successor to former New Blockbuster chairKeyes chairman and CEO John Anman and CEO Jim Keyes, a tioco. Prior to Shepherd’s top executive at 7-Eleven for appointment, the COO posi21 years, said he will initiate tion had been vacant since structural and personnel the end of 2004, following changes during his first 100 the departure of Nigel days on the job aimed at Travis. transforming the company Keyes then named Keith into an entertainment conShepherd Morrow chief information venience store. officer and David Podeschi He isn’t letting the beer get warm. SVP, merchandising, distribution The Dallas-based No. 1 video rental See BLOCKBUSTER, Page 32 N Former Wal-Mart Exec Can’t Do Biz With Chain at DreamWorks INSIDE >> Indies Go Blu Anchor Bay and Tartan officially announce Blu-ray Disc releases. H I G H-D E F MAR KE T S HAR E Blu-ray and HD DVD Sales Comparison as of 9/09/07 Week Ended 9/09 Year-to-Date I Blu-ray I HD DVD Since Inception >> Seeing Double Sony is releasing Spider-Man 3 as a double-disc Blu-ray. PAGE 12 40% 60% 66% 34% 61% 39% Source: Nielsen VideoScan First Alert data By Chris Tribbey SUPPLIER DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. may not be able to take full advantage of its recent hire. David Porter, who as Wal-Mart’s former VP and divisional merchandise manager was the discount chain’s chief DVD guru, will work in a newly created position at the studio starting this month. This gives the studio someone with tremendous insight into the inner workings of America’s biggest DVD retailer. But a Wal-Mart spokesperson said that Porter will not be able to have any direct communication with his former employer in his new capacity. “Mr. Porter will not be doing business with Wal-Mart during the timeframe designated in our policy,” spokesperson Sarah Clark said in an e-mail. That policy does not allow former associates of Wal-Mart to do business “for a period of five years after See WAL-MART, Page 32 NEWS Image Entertainment’s deals with Revolver and Odd Lot Entertainment include distribution for Undead or Alive: A Zombedy. PRODUCT Shout! Factory acquired rights to Kurt Cobain About a Son, which documents the life of the leader of grunge progenitors Nirvana. RESEARCH The Office: Season Three clocked in at No. 1 on the DVD sales chart, while Blades of Glory glided steadily atop rentals. Page 8 Page 10 Page 26

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - September 16-22, 2007

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

Home Media Magazine - September 16-22, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.