Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - (Page 18) NEWS SONY LAUNCHES ‘GIRLS NIGHT IN’ PROMO By Billy Gil www.homemediamagazine.com Batman to Be the Home Entertainment Hero? Continued from page 1 has taken on special significance. a spotty performance. Some titles, Back when the DVD business first such as Iron Man, did exceptionally “We were extremely pleased with first day sales, and we now think it will began to slow four years ago, the well; others, such as Indiana Jones easily be the biggest title of this year in first cracks to appear were in the and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, home video,” said Ron Sanders, presi- sales totals of the megahits, begin- could have done better. ning with Shrek 2, which sold pheThe day The Dark Knight went on dent of Warner Home Video. He notes Warner’s numbers include nomenally well upon its November sale, a Wall Street Journal article said sellthrough only in the United States, 2004 release — but not as well as the film’s home video sales performance would be a bellwether for the Canada and United Kingdom; sales to DreamWorks had anticipated. From that point on, the video-to- entire industry. rental dealers are not factored. “As that latest Batman installment Sanders also projects that the Blu- theatrical ratio for the big-screen ray Disc sales tally alone could rise to blockbusters continued to decline — is released on DVD,” the article said, 1 million units by Saturday. “In the and, with it, the fortunes of the home “… it could show that Hollywood’s first two days across those three terri- entertainment business, which, like defenses against a recession are tories, Blu-ray Disc sales are running its theatrical counterpart, had grown crumbling. Batman’s fate in a declinbetween 25% and 30% of total sales, increasingly dependent on the hits. ing DVD market will be just one way SONY BOWS SECOND WAVE OF ‘MARTINI MOVIES’ which is a massive number,” he said. This year the Q4 parade of sum- the movie industry’s claim of being By Laleh Ghalambor be cool gems that leave an indelible mark “We had expected Blu-ray to account mer theatrical blockbusters has had recession-proof will be tested.” ony Pictures Home Entertainment will with the potential new audience,” said Marc for a significant percentage of sales, release the second wave in the “Mar- Rashba, VP of marketing at Sony Pictures. but not quite this high, which speaks tini Movies” DVD line Feb. 3, 2009 “We thought of this as a line of movies well for the format. It’s really catch(prebook Dec. 11). Priced at $19.94, the that you would enjoy watching in a lounge ing on with consumers.” The previous Blu-ray Disc sales re- Continued from page 1 “We have, over the last few months releases include Getting Straight, Our Man atmosphere … hence martinis.” cord was set earlier in the fourth quar- and Comedy Central. and weeks, looked at all our operain Havana, Five, Vibes and Gumshoe. The first wave, released in September, Burrows joined Paramount in 1985 tions around the world [to] see where “The Martini Movies are not tied to any included The Garment Jungle, Dollars, The ter by Paramount’s Iron Man, which sold more than 500,000 Blu-rays its after several years in the distribution we have too many people performing specific decade or genre, they just have to New Centurions and The Anderson Tapes. first week. The Dark Knight shattered side of the home entertainment busi- certain functions,” he said. “We have that record — in a single day. ness. She rose through sales manage- done it in a way that doesn’t impact “Blu-ray is clearly catching on with ment in Atlanta and Chicago and our strategy, doesn’t impact our conconsumers,” Sanders said. in 1996 became SVP of sales. She tent creation, does not impact our There are bigger implications as became one of division president Eric brand building.” well. For the home entertainment Doctorow’s top lieutenants and in The 850 personnel cuts were across all industry, the DVD/Blu-ray Disc re- October 2000 was promoted to EVP of Viacom’s divisions, including VH1, lease of The Dark Knight wasn’t just of sales and marketing. Less than MTV, LOGO, CMT and Nickelodeon. about one title, albeit the biggest title three years later, she was elevated Salary increases for senior level manof the year. It was more about the again, to domestic president. agement also has been suspended. short-term future of the business. Dauman said Paramount plans on Other PHE cuts included VP Chris Throughout the fourth quarter, Saito. releasing fewer than 20 films a year Viacom, which saw its earnings down going forward, with a large focus on David Borshell, president of Image Entertainment, and Bill Bromiley, chief acquisi- studio executives, key retailers and analysts have been closely monitor- 37% during the third quarter of 2008, franchises. He said that revenue from tions officer at Image, attend Image’s event at the Beverly Hills Hotel Dec. 9 in Photo by Amy Graves ing sales of the summer blockbust- was careful about where cuts were mobile and VOD ventures is still Beverly Hills, Calif. ers. With total home video sales made, said Viacom president and CEO small, and that content that’s already projected to be off by as much as 6% Philippe Dauman at the UBS Annual succeeded is where the money rethis year, the performance of the hits Global Media Conference Dec. 8. mains. Continued from page 4 the 2007 edition of the “America’s Got such as Blockbuster, Netflix, Hastings Talent” reality show. After the Criterion Collection and Entertainment, Best Buy and Borders, A Weekly Product Update* featured a surprise appearance by Jack Discovery Channel, comedy repreNicholson, a friend of the film’s pro- sents one of Image’s largest revenue STREET BOX OFFICE ducer, Michael Fitzgerald, who urged streams, underscored by the successes TITLE DATE PREBOOK (MILLIONS) GENRE PRICE support of independent movies at re- of blue-collar comedy DVDs from Ron Nights in Rodanthe 2/10/09 1/6/09 $41.6 Romance DVD $28.98, BD $35.99 White, Larry the Cable Guy, Jeff Foxtail. Other feature films slated for release worthy, and most recently Jeff DunWarner. 2008. Diane Lane, Richard Gere. Based on the bestselling book by Nicholas Sparks, two strangers meet and start a romance when include The Edge of Love, Management, ham, whose Very Special Christmas they inadvertently both travel to the same small inn on the Outer Banks to do some soul searching. quirky comedy $5 a Day, Incendiary Special DVD shipped 750,000 units, Quarantine 2/17/09 1/15/09 $31.7 Horror DVD $28.96, BD $39.95 according to Image. and erotic thriller Powder Blue. Other revenue drivers include classic Bill Bromiley, chief acquisitions ofSony Pictures. 2008. Jennifer Carpenter, Jay Hernandez, Johnathon Schaech. A news crew trailing a rescue team gets trapped in an apartment ficer at Image, said Management had TV and music DVD, among others. building when the government seals the place because the residents have been infected with a deadly mutant virus. Also on UMD ($24.94). Borshell said Image is on track for long been a pet project of producer Pride and Glory 1/27/09 12/23 $15.7 Thriller DVD $28.98, BD $35.99 and star Jennifer Aniston and joked he its most successful fiscal year, and looked forward to working personally would attempt to leverage that sucWarner. 2008. Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich. A multigenerational family of cops faces tough choices in Manhattan’s cess (revenue projections from $125 with the actress on its release. Washington Heights. Also available in a two-DVD special edition with digital copy at $34.99. “We know she’s going to be in- million to $130 million) to attract Sex Drive: Unrated and Cream-Filled 2/3/09 12/16 $8.4 Comedy DVD $26.99, BD $34.99 volved [with promotion],” Bromiley DVD lines from distressed distribusaid. “I already told my wife it is part tors impacted by the economy and Summit. 2008. Clark Duke, Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, James Marsden, Seth Green. A guy and his buddies embark on an 800-mile road trip other issues. of the deal.” so he can lose his virginity to a girl he met online. Includes the theatrical version and a spoof unrated version, plus featurettes and more. “We are certainly a reasonable distriImage, which just signed an agreeHumboldt County 1/13/09 12/16 $0.08 Comedy DVD $26.98 ment to be acquired by Nyx Acquisi- bution source for some of these compations for $100 million, also intends to nies,” he said. “We are in a unique poMagnolia. Jeremy Strong, Peter Bogdanovich, Frances Conroy, Brad Dourif, Fairuza Balk. A medical student has a life-altering experience when actively distribute DVDs from upstart sition and we don’t take it for granted. he happens upon a group of cash-crop farmers growing marijuana. * In order of box office, then prebook date ventriloquist Terry Fator, winner of We are very grateful.” ony Pictures Home Entertainment has teamed with Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Electronics for a “Girls’ Night In!” promotion, launching Jan. 20, 2009, and consisting of cross-promotional items geared toward women. Sony Pictures Jan. 20 will release 15 DVDs rebranded with the “Girls’ Night In!” logo, a disco ball with pink lettering. DVDs in the promotion include Center Stage, Blonde Ambition, Bye Bye Birdie, Dick, You Got Served, Funny Girl, Only You and Ice Castles; as well as DVD and Blu-rays S of 13 Going on 30, 50 First Dates, Click, Cruel Intentions, Hitch, Rent and Stomp the Yard. The DVDs will be packaged with a pink printed shrinkwrap at $14.95. Blu-rays will be available for $28.95 and $38.96. The titles also will lead consumers to Girlsnightinfun.com, with movie clips, trailers and streaming music, as well as tips on planning a girls’ night in and e-cards. Fans online also can enter a sweepstakes to win a VAIO computer, Cybershot camera, Walkman, and a trip to New York City. S Paramount Loses Burrows Image Hosts ‘Electric’ Screening JUST ANNOUNCED Home Media Magazine December 14–20, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.Girlsnightinfun.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 Contents News News Cine Mercado Reviews Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Contents (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Reviews (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Reviews (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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