Home Media Magazine - November 25-December 1, 2007 - (Page 1)

NOVEMBER 25–DECEMBER 1, 2007 >> ELECTRO N IC DELIVERY INSIDE HIT Hits the Internet Episodes of “Barney” and “Bob the Builder” will appear via Comcast’s thePlatform. Bourne Fires Onto Vudu The set-top box movie service lands high-definition versions of all three “Bourne” films. ThinkFilm Thinks iTunes The studio’s independent films appear on Apple’s service. BRINGING DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TO YOU PAGE 12 >> HIGH-DEF Stringer Stresses Support for Blu-ray Counters earlier comments about a ‘stalemate’ in format war By Thomas K. Arnold ony Corp. CEO Sir Howard Stringer affirmed the company’s support for, and belief in, Blu-ray Disc, saying in an exclusive email interview that the Sonydeveloped, nextgeneration disc format has both Stringer “the momentum and the scale” to ultimately triumph over rival HD DVD. Two weeks ago, an Associated Press story quoted the outspoken Sony chief as saying Blu-ray Disc Trans World Loss In Q3 Gets Wider By Chris Tribbey RETAIL Trans World Entertainment Corp. reported a third-quarter net loss of $14.3 million, as the company’s founder tries to take the specialty retailer private. Trans World CEO and chairman Robert Higgins, who took the company public more than 20 years ago, made an offer Nov. 9 to buy out stockholders’ shares for $5 per share. Higgins and related entities own roughly 40% of the company’s S is in a “stalemate” with HD DVD, backed by Toshiba Corp. and Microsoft. His comments caused a stir in the Internet blogosphere, where they were construed that Sony’s resolve to win the format war may be weakening. Stringer pointed out that Blu-ray has the exclusive support of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, “who have consistently produced the highest level of See SONY’S STRINGER, Page 32 shares. Trans World announced Nov. 20 that a special committee has given Higgins the go-ahead to “work with prospective co-investors in connection with his nonbinding expression of interest.” “As I’m sure you know, the company has announced my intent to acquire the shares of the company I do not already own,” Higgins said in the earnings call. “I will not personally comment on these matters.” See TRANS WORLD, Page 32 Warner’s Total HD on Hold By Thomas K. Arnold ow that Warner Home Video is the only studio left that supports both rival next-generation formats, the studio has put its Total HD plans N “on hold,” according to division president Ron Sanders. At last January’s Consumer Electronics Show, Warner had unveiled a dual-format disc, with See WARNER, Page 32 EMA Picks the Palms for Home Media Expo 2008 The dates for the show also move up, to June 24-26 By Billy Gil MA is hitting the Palms. The Entertainment Merchants Association’s (EMA) 27th annual Home Media Expo will be held at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Along with a new locale, the show will take place on earlier dates, from June 24-26, 2008, with a pre-show conference day June 23. The show has previously been held in July. The Palms Hotel is one of the trendiest in Las Vegas, having housed a season of MTV’s “The Real World.” INSIDE >> Europe in High-Def HDTV sales are strong, broadcasts struggle. >> Blu Meanies Anti-HD DVD ads appear online. PAGE 10 H IG H-DE F MAR KET S HAR E Blu-ray and HD DVD Sales Comparison as of 11/18/07 Week Ended 11/18 Year-to-Date I Blu-ray I HD DVD E Since Inception 34% 66% 65% 35% 61% 39% Source: Nielsen VideoScan: First Alert data It features a number of restaurants and nightclubs, as well as meeting and conference facilities. “An industry as exciting and leading-edge as the home entertainment industry should hold its annual confab at an equally exciting and leading-edge location, and the Palms fits the bill perfectly,” said EMA president Bo Andersen. “We are excited about expanding the show to include digital delivery as well as the latest new technologies and business models for home See EMA, Page 32 NEWS New and used DVD sales helped Hastings Entertainment Inc. post its first-ever third-quarter profit. RESEARCH Paramount Home Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation have an ogre of a title with Shrek the Third, topping sales and rentals. PRODUCT 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment wraps production on Joy Ride 2, the latest direct-to-video sequel announced by the studio. Page 6 Page 26 Page 30

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

Home Media Magazine - November 25-December 1, 2007

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