No Country for Old Men BD selling 10-15% of DVD; others 5-10%

[Grubert]

Source: Video Business

Oscar Best Picture winner No Country for Old Men also is a winner on Blu-ray Disc.

Retailers report that the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment March 11 release is generating 10% to 15% of its sales on Blu-ray, which is higher than the average 5% to 10% on major day-and-date DVD/BD new release.

DeepDiscount.com, Newbury Comics and Virgin Megastores all report No Country skewing higher Blu than other titles.

Store managers attribute No Country’s Blu-ray muscle to both the caché of the Oscar-decorated title and the fall of the HD DVD format.

Disney did not comment.

“We did over 100 on Blu-ray, and over 1,000 [overall] in the first week No Country was on sale,” said Ian Leshin, buyer for Newbury’s 27 New England stores. “That’s a big number. Since the HD DVD side of things folded, we have seen a marked improvement in Blu-ray sales. [Customers] are feeling comfortable buying into the format.”

David T. Barker, VP of ecommerce marketing for DeepDiscount parent Infinity Resources, said, No Country “is running at about 15% Blu-ray, which is stronger than normal. The format is certainly on the rise, but in my opinion, it’s the strength of the title.”

Retailers expect BD to continue to be an increasing part of titles’ sales. Barker also thought Disney’s March 18 release Enchanted should enjoy BD heft, as 8% of its sales were in the format on street date at DeepDiscount.

“We’re seeing key new release titles on Blu-ray, like No Country, exceed 10% of total sales,” said Chris Anstey, Virgin senior product manager. “This trend will continue on new releases as the format gradually comes into its own.”

Not bad for a niche...

[Grisle]

I'm sure it helps that the video is awesome and it was best picture...I love this movie!

[Gremal]

That's awesome.

[iNCREDiPiNOY]

Thats Hot!

[Blinkman987]

People who enjoy this movie enjoy quality cinema and are probably more likely to purchase HD equipment before others. I'm sure Larry the Cable Guy Movie or Garfield 3 would sell almost exclusively on DVD.

[Blu Haze]

I should go pic that movie up with the 10 off whatever looks kind of bad.

[vladittude0583]

Well, I will say that I just made a purchase for this movie from Amazon.com after all the great AV reviews I have read about it. Hopefully this movie is as great as everyone says.

[diamondfoxxx]

It's no surprise. Word of mouth must've gone about the picture quality NCFOM. It's best BD I've ever seen.

[Mr. Cinema]

It also shows that movies can sell well on BD without having mega explosions and cgi.

[Mobe1969]

Wonder what they'll say next week when they explain how I Am Legend on Blu has pretty well topped the chart for over a week...

[Anthony P]

I guess it shows what I have always said and that Warner did the right move.

I know this is not a Warner title, but it shows what many have said, that HD DVD needed to go away and when that will happen BD would take off fast.

[fitprod]

I wonder if Disney will issue any type of press release. Barring that the DVD sales tanked, I imagine if this 10 - 15% of sales carries through across all retailers, they'd want to crow about it and point out that with one format, the future is clear...

If they pull the trigger on a press release, it should be in the next 24 hours. Since WB will be boasting about I Am Legend by Wednesday.

You've gotta love studio PR wars...

fitprod

[HeavyHitter]

Wow, this is news is really going to rattle the AVS/HTF Blu-ray doomsayers.