Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - (Page 14) COMMENTARY www.homemediamagazine.com THE BUZZ BY CHRIS TRIBBEY, SENIOR REPORTER Black Friday Deals Aren’t Just for Early Birds I ’m not a Black Friday kind of guy. Really, I think the entire idea is kind of nuts. Wake up before dawn; go wait in line with hundreds of other people; kick, claw and stampede the competition as you make a mad dash for Tickle Me Elmo (or whatever the hot item is this Christmas). I’m not a morning person. I’m even less of a mallcrowd person. And I refuse to get in line to shop. And if you’re anything like me, and you’re still worried you’ll miss the best electronics deals if you miss Black Friday, stop worrying. Sleep in. Eat leftover turkey. And shop online. A BDO Seidman LLP survey of U.S. retailers shows they’re expecting Internet sales to grow by 8% this year. The “Retail Compass Survey” shows that half of retailers believe electronics are the No. 1 draw for consumers this year, and half of retailers believe Internet 720p 32-inch with an Xbox 360 and two games are going for $698. A Sanyo 32-inch HDTV with a digital tuner and a full Philips home theater system is $598. Circuit City is offering a 37-inch HDTV for under $500 and a 65-inch for under $1,200. Just want a Blu-ray player? Under $200 at Circuit shopping will increase (with 38% saying it will remain City, Best Buy, Costco and Sears, even less at WalMart. Blu-ray movies? Tons are available for under the same as 2007). Electronics retailers, especially the big box boys, $20 and even under $10 at Wal-Mart, Circuit City know there are a lot of lazy shoppers like me out and Kmart. The Black Friday deals being advertised aren’t limthere, and they’re giving us their Black Friday deals online. And in many cases, these deals are available ited to the big box retailers; new Blu-ray releases can be right now. And do you really think all the deals will be found just as cheap at other retailers, and these deals aren’t all limited to one day, or even one weekend. gone after Dec. 1? Wal-Mart is bundling a Toshiba Regza 32-inch Shop around. And sleep in. 1080p HDTV with an 80GB PlayStation 3, a Blu-ray Disc movie and a Sony Blu-ray remote for $997. A Chris Tribbey’s e-mail address is ctribbey@questex.com [IF] YOU’RE STILL WORRIED YOU’LL MISS THE BEST ELECTRONICS DEALS IF YOU MISS BLACK FRIDAY, STOP WORRYING. SLEEP IN. EAT LEFTOVER TURKEY. AND SHOP ONLINE. READERS’ FORUM I The following letters are in response to Stephanie Prange’s column “My $1 Question for Netflix” (HM Oct. 12-18), in which she questions the wisdom of charging more for Blu-ray rentals, but nothing for streaming services: T H EY SA ID IT “IN 42 YEARS OF RETAILING, WE’VE NEVER SEEN SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES FOR THE CONSUMER. PEOPLE ARE MAKING DRAMATIC CHANGES IN HOW MUCH THEY SPEND, AND WE’RE NOT IMMUNE FROM THOSE FORCES.” Brian Dunn, president and COO, Best Buy livery consumption of home video movies and concerts. Once [the customers are] hooked, then start charging what is reasonable, as the advantage of not having to spend money in mailing, packaging and other costs associated with delivery by mail, would likely result in considerable improvement to their profit margins. Blu-ray discs cost more both to buy on a wholesale and retail level and, therefore, customers who wish to utilize Nice editorial, but I’m surprised you don’t see Netflix’s the same through-the-mail rental model ought to cough up more. goals. On an associated topic, though now a convert to Blu-ray Netflix realizes that mailing discs won’t last forever, so it is trying to hedge its bets by preparing for the future. I’m with over 45 titles already in my collection (compared with sure you remember the early days of Netflix when you 150 HD DVDs and over 2,000 DVDs), I have to admit that could rent movies without a subscription. Well, Netflix it is still far from certain that Blu-ray will succeed in supquickly learned that the all-you-can-eat monthly subscrip- planting DVD. The success of this format will only come tion was the key to its business. So it is trying to take its when pricing of movie and music BDs are on equal setting with the DVD releases of the same titles. existing model and apply it to downloads. The goal is to establish itself in the download industry with Hollywood’s less valuable catalog, and when the David Doliveira time is right, eventually transition the entire business usToronto, Canada ing the same model. Honestly, I think the model is very compelling to most consumers, and based on its success, I The following letter is in response to Stephanie Prange’s column Hollywood could learn a thing or two from it. “Digital Copy May Trump iTunes, Etc.” (HM Aug.31-Sept. 6), in which The biggest threat to Netflix’s future would be if the digi- she touts digital copies on discs as being preferable to downloads: tal entertainment content ecosystem was successful and studios discover that an all-you-can-eat direct-to-consumer model would cut out the middleman and allow the studios to see bigger profits. But that’s just me. I don’t normally comment on articles I read. However, I thought that your article was exceptional both in delivery Ben Drawbaugh and the points made. Contributing Editor I also believe a disc offering the best of both the qualEngadget HD ity and portability worlds is the best choice, one that the consumer would choose consistently if widely available. Not only is it the best in quality and portability, but also because the consumer can enjoy those features while still I do enjoy reading your editorials, but this time you really experiencing that certain something people enjoy in shopping: actually going out, looking and carrying something have missed the point! It is patently simple and logical that whatever addition- home to open and enjoy after spending their hard-earned al cost is incurred by Netflix to stream content (digital money. delivery) is easily offset by the savings reaped when they don’t have to mail a disc to a customer. Besides that, it Matthew R. Gunnels is obvious that Netflix and any sharp, forward-thinking Controller company would want to tempt customers into digital deT&R Fixtures LLC Netflix Intends to Rule Streams “BLU-RAY IS A VERY YOUNG FORMAT, AND THERE IS A VERY REAL OPPORTUNITY ONLINE TO EXPERIENCE. ” Director Guillermo del Toro, on his BD Live chat (scheduled Nov. 23) with fans during Hellboy II. Digital Copy Is Best Choice We Want to Hear From You! Please send letters to: Editor, Home Media Magazine 201 East Sandpointe Ave., Suite 500 Santa Ana, CA 92707 E-mail: HomeMediaMagazine@questex.com Fax: 714.338.6712 Include name, business address (city and state) and telephone number. Letters are subject to editing. Netflix Streaming Plan Logical Join Us Online: www.homemediamagazine.com Visit our Web site to participate in discussion boards and weekly polls on the latest industry issues. 14 Home Media Magazine November 23–29, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hom834641PNB/index.php?startid=4 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hom262593TTB/index.php?startid=4 http://www.homemediamagazine.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 Contents News High-Def News Electronic Delivery News Commentary Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - News (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - News (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - High-Def News (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - High-Def News (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Commentary (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Commentary (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Reviews (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Reviews (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - November 23-29, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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