Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[Steedeel]

I have always said it’s a step back and I stick by that.

[Vilya]

I am happy that people buy discs even if it is only occasionally. Sure, I wish they were everyone's preferred purchase, but that's just unrealistic. Discs only need to sell well enough to ensure that they continue to be offered and I think they will surpass that minimum requirement.

Speaking of which, bruceames has posted the 2018 sales results by disc format and overall discs did worse this year than last. Overall, all disc formats combined are down 14.6% in 2018 compared to being down 13.4% in 2017 with the biggest drop occurring with DVDs. DVDs are down 23%. Physical media rang up $4.03 billion in sales in 2018, but that is down $686 million compared to 2017 and is down $1.461 billion compared to 2016.

Blu-rays were only down 8% this year compared to being down 12.2% in 2017, so a little improvement there. Blu-rays had a 39.8% market share.

4K discs were up 70% in 2018, and their market share doubled from 3.1% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2018. Their growth in 2017 was a stellar 187%, so it appears that their growth is really cooling off while remaining impressive just the same.

Chart is here:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1045

and here:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1046

Digital sales, or EST, is up 14.43% in 2018. Digital now comprises 38% of all purchases.

In summary, discs generated $4.03 billion in sales and digital made $2.46 billion.

Subscription streaming is up 30.07% raking in $12.912 billion, nearly twice what all purchases combined made in 2018.

Not the results I was hoping to see, but the facts are what they are.

Edit: New figures posted on Jan. 21, 2019, Discs down 12.9% and blu-ray down just 1.2% in 2018

See new post here:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1057

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You quoted my post before I corrected it. EST is up 14.43%, not down. I cross-eye read the wrong row earlier.

I know. I saw the info earlier.

[Steedeel]

Regardless, I’m going down with the ship. However, long it takes. Hopefully a good ten years.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Regardless, I’m going down with the ship. However, long it takes. Hopefully a good ten years.

Well, you won't be alone in Davy Jones's locker if it comes to that. I remain optimistic that there are enough of us to keep discs viable even if that optimism increasingly borders upon delusion.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Well, you won't be alone in Davy Jones's locker if it comes to that. I remain optimistic that there are enough of us to keep discs viable even if that optimism increasingly borders upon delusion.

I just hope any HT enthusiasts who switched to digital don’t complain when we hit the shitstorm of exclusives and all of the squabbling that will result. You have all brought it on yourselves.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I just hope any HT enthusiasts who switched to digital don’t complain when we hit the shitstorm of exclusives and all of the squabbling that will result. You have all brought it on yourselves.

There shall be gnashing of teeth and rending of garments- especially if their digital purchases ever get deleted or adversely edited. People always complain when their choices come back to haunt them.

I think digital has a place at the table (the kiddie table, that is ) if the behemoth that is subscription streaming doesn't crowd everything else out.

Still, I retain hope that physical media will command a significant following to ensure its success. It has proven to be most resilient.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by Vilya

4K discs were up 70% in 2018, but their market share dropped from 6.2% in 2017 to just 3.1% in 2018. Their growth in 2017 was a stellar 187%, so it appears that their growth is really cooling off.

I made a typo (now corrected) in the table. UHD's share is now 6.2%, an increase from 3.1% last year.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bruceames

I made a typo (now corrected) in the table. UHD's share is now 6.2%, an increase from 3.1% last year.

Right, get the disco lights back up!



thanks Bruce. Stuff digital, disc forever!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bruceames

I made a typo (now corrected) in the table. UHD's share is now 6.2%, an increase from 3.1% last year.

I have corrected my post that paraphrased all of your hard work, but I always make a point to give you the credit for it. Thank you for all you do in tracking, compiling, and presenting this data.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I have corrected my post that paraphrased all of your hard work, but I always make a point to give you the credit for it. Thank you for all you do in tracking and compiling this data.

I am hitting the grooves to the Bee Gees at this very moment. You?

[LordSummerIsle]

We genre fans will always have physical options thanks to our boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Video, etc.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I am hitting the grooves to the Bee Gees at this very moment. You?

I will spin one of those ever growing in popularity and awesome quality 4K discs in my collection, but which one? My assortment is still small at 105 titles.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by scwilli1

We genre fans will always have physical options thanks to our boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Video, etc.

This is very true. Bought 5 titles from VS this year and 4 from Arrow.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I will spin one of those awesomely ever growing in popularity 4K discs in my collection, but which one? My assortment is still small at 105 titles.

My first 4K disc was the nature doc Planet Earth 2. Couldn’t stop smiling.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

My first 4K disc was the nature doc Planet Earth 2. Couldn’t stop smiling.

Planet Earth II on 4K was breath taking, but as I have seen it recently, I must pick something else.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Planet Earth II on 4K was breath taking, but as I have seen it recently, I must pick something else.

Been watching plain old Blu-ray tonight. Rewatching Twin Peaks: The Return. Just delightful. It looks great by the way.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Been watching plain old Blu-ray tonight. Rewatching Twin Peaks: The Return. Just delightful. It looks great by the way.

I only have the original Twin Peaks stuff. I am undecided about the "revival" piece.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I only have the original Twin Peaks stuff. I am undecided about the "revival" piece.

I adore every frame. One of those shows that gets even better on repeat viewings. Easilly the best show of 2018 for me. Has more great scenes in one episode that seven series of other tv shows.
The roadhouse scenes Just have creeping dread that I have rarely felt in any other show.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

My first 4K disc was the nature doc Planet Earth 2. Couldn’t stop smiling.

I've only got the regular blu-ray rather than the 4K version, but Planet Earth 2 is a stunning documentary.....I just adore these kind of programmes. In fact, so much so I'm really tempted to double-dip and buy the 4K disc as well as I've been reliably informed it is stunning to watch. Anyway, my 4K 'shelf' is looking a little bare and could do with more stock in any case.