Home Media Magazine - October 21-27, 2007 - (Page 1)

OCTOBER 21–27, 2007 >> E LE C T R O N I C D E LI V E RY YouTube Moves to Protect Content By Chris Tribbey nline video giant YouTube Oct. 16 launched its copyrighted video filter technology, which would remove copyrighted video from the site shortly after it appears. The caveat, however, is that copyrighted content owners would have to supply the works they want protected by uploading video to a reference database. If successful and adopted by con- O 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 tent owners, when a video is uploaded to Google-owned YouTube, the content will be automatically compared to videos on the reference database. If there’s a match, the copyrighted content owner can block the video. However, the person who uploaded it can contest the block. Reportedly, copyright holders will also have an option to allow the videos to remain and sell ads to go with it. See YOUTUBE, Page 28 INSIDE >> More on Demand Cable operators offer ABC and NBC shows. >> Music on MySpace Sony BMG signs deal. PAGE 11 Movie Gallery Files Bankruptcy After months of speculation, beleaguered chain files Chapter 11 By Erik Gruenwedel R E TA I L After months of speculation, Movie Gallery Inc. last week filed Chapter 11 fiscal reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Virginia as part of a pre-negotiated debt-restructuring plan. The Dothan, Ala.-based No. 2 video rental company, which has struggled financially following its acquisition of Hollywood Entertainment Corp. in 2005, will maintain operations, including payroll and employee benefits during the restructuring. Gallery’s Canadian unit was not part of the Chapter 11 filing. The chain also announced that it had received notification from NASDAQ that it will be delisted beginning Oct. 25. In the bankruptcy filing, Gallery listed debt at more than $1.4 billion with assets of more than $890 million. With more than $45 million owed to home entertainment creditors, Gallery is on the hook to See GALLERY, Page 28 Going Green Is Big on DVD With A Wal-Mart Push By Chris Tribbey t’s no secret: Wal-Mart is the Al Gore of retailers when it comes to the environment. The leading DVD retailer embarked on a bold environmental plan in 2005, calling for a 30% reduction in energy used in stores, a 25% increase in vehicle efficiency, a INSIDE 25% reduction in sol- Retailers and suppliers id waste by the end of boost an environmen2008 and a 5% reduc- tally friendly DVD intion in suppliers’ dustry, page 14. packaging by 2013. That last one already is having wide-ranging effects on the home entertainment industry. “Wal-Mart encourages any and all product packaging improvements that are sustainable and environmentally friendly,” said Tara Raddohl, senior spokeswoman for Wal-Mart. “If our home media suppliers can reduce See WAL-MART, Page 16 I Movie Gallery last week said it will auction off the leases of 508 stores — shuttering the rest — in an attempt to generate $70 million in additional savings. >> H I G H-D E F INSIDE >> ‘T3’ in Blu Terminator 3 is on Blu-ray from Warner. SONY DROPS 80GB PS3 PRICE By John Gaudiosi ony made it official, confirming analyst and retailer chatter over the past few weeks that the new 80GB PlayStation 3 will drop to $500, down $100 from its launch price. This PS3 will still include the free bundle with the racing game MotorStorm. The move comes in tandem with the introduction of the new 40GB PS3, which will retail for $400 and will be packaged See SONY, Page 28 H I G H-D E F MAR KE T S HAR E Blu-ray and HD DVD Sales Comparison as of 10/14/07 Week Ended 10/14 Year-to-Date >> Disney BD Offered Retailers offer free disc with buy. S I Blu-ray I HD DVD Fox ‘Live Free’ DVD Launches Digital Copy By Thomas K. Arnold S U P P L I E R In an industry first, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s special-edition DVD of Live Free or Die Hard will come with an electronic copy of the complete movie that can be played on a computer and select portable video players. “This may be the killer app, where you have physical media that allows you to have a big-screen experience and at the same time move the file around See FOX, Page 28 Since Inception 29% 71% 66% 34% 61% 39% >> TV Shift Best Buy yanks analog TVs. PAGE 10 Source: Nielsen VideoScan First Alert data NEWS Movie Gallery’s bankruptcy and store closures could spell business for Blockbuster, Netflix and kiosk operators. PRODUCT Our inaugural “Going Green” guide highlights environmentally minded DVDs, some of which have recycled packaging. RESEARCH Sony Pictures Home Entertainment made waves with Surf’s Up, sailing to the top of the DVD sales and rental charts. Page 6 Page 14 Page 23

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - October 21-27, 2007

Contents News TV DVD Going Green Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced

Home Media Magazine - October 21-27, 2007

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