Blu-ray Sales to Top DVD by 2012

[Blu Titan]

An interesting read from Home Media Magazine:

Report: U.S. Blu-ray Sales to Top DVD Sales by 2012
Author: ERIK GRUENWEDEL
egruenwedel@questex.com
Posted: August 19, 2008

Sales of Blu-ray Discs in the United States are expected to total about 45 million units this year (up 400% year-over-year) and equal to 61% of all packaged media (DVD) unit sales by 2012, according to a new report.

Industry experts expect a banner fourth quarter, with BD sales already accounting for 5% to 6% of major title sales, according to London-based Futuresource Consulting. That sales percentage could reach 12% on some of the major releases.

“I would be amazed if we don’t see a Blu-ray player in the U.S. at or below $250 by the end of the year,” said Futuresource analyst Jack Wetherill. “To stimulate consumer traffic in the holiday season, who’s to say there won’t be a player [priced] closer to $200?”

The report hinted at a relative dearth of catalog titles released thus far on the next-generation optical-media format despite assurances by studios to up distribution. “All eyes are on Warner Bros.’ initiative to cut catalog prices,” said Mai Hoang, a lead analyst with Futuresource. “Other studios and retailers are going to be watching consumer reaction to this very carefully.”

By comparison, the report said sales of Blu-ray movies in Western Europe would lag compared to those in the United States, representing 50% of home entertainment sales in France, 46% in Germany, 44% in the United Kingdom, 43% in Spain and 39% in Italy.

“We expect 2% of unit sales in the lead markets of the U.K. and France to be on BD this year, and … likely to hit 5-6% next year,” Hoang said.

The report concluded that by 2012, upwards of 50% of all consumer spending on packaged media will be on Blu-ray Disc. www.homemediamagazine.com

[ThePhantomOak]

Sounds right... That is about how long it took DVD.

OTOH, BD is growing much faster than DVD did. I think 2012 is late. I would think late 2010

[Clark Kent]

Here is a different link discussing the same report (but with a nice graph). What is wrong with you Europeans? You need to adopt Blu-ray faster.

http://www.hollywoodinhidef.com/blog_detail.php?id=232

[JamesShrews]

Great 2012 the end of the world and the mayan calander it will surpass just great.... I will never see every movies and any movie I want in blu then =(

[Bobby Henderson]

I think the transition to HDTV will be a great wild card that will speed up Blu-ray adoption faster and faster starting in March of 2009. I think the buying pace will pick up noticeably this fall due to big movies arriving on Blu-ray, but the pace will be even faster next year.

I don't know how PS3 sales are doing currently nationwide, but it seems interesting to me that the Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Best Buy locations in my area are currently sold out of the things. I only know this because a co-worker of mine is currently trying to buy one for a new 52" Samsung he's getting this week.