DVDs are doomed

[DaemonSeid]

The numbers for 2008 are in and they don't look good: DVD sales are now showing the first signs that they're about to go into free-fall, just like sales of CDs did a few years ago.

For the second year running, DVD sales have slipped. After hitting a high of $24.1 billion in 2006, the total sales volume hit $21.6 billion in 2008, an overall decline of about 10 percent off the 2006 high.

DVD's purported savior -- Blu-ray -- has been unable to rise to the rescue so far. Blu-ray (and leftover HD DVD) disc sales hit just $750 million last year, which doesn't nearly make up for the loss in sales of DVD media. Since Blu-ray discs are more expensive than DVDs, the overall unit sales decline is even more worrisome for Hollywood -- and some studios are seeing income plummet accordingly. For example, Fox operating income dropped 72 percent last year after seeing DVD sales fall just 15 percent.

Hits aren't going to save the day, either: Warner Bros. had the #1 selling DVD of 2008, The Dark Knight, but saw overall DVD sales drop 24 percent nonetheless. Disney -- running out of "classics from the vault" to reissue -- had a whopping 33 percent drop in DVD sales last year.

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[RU OX Alum]

well...when you turn the movie into a comercial for the DVD, and then have a prolonged format war on the succecor technology for said DVD, in the middle of a crumbleing economy, what is it that you expect to happen.

Not to mention that Hollywood is loosing ground/sales to Hong Kong and Bali every minute.

Maybe the movie will be about the actual movie again, and not how many specail behind the scenes interviews can be packed in as bonus material.

[moe.ron]

I'm still mad they no longer sell betamax.

[nate2512]

I get utterly pissed off when I can't just hit the damned DVD menu button and get to the movie. I occasionally watch the previews if its a really recent release and im waiting on someone to come in the room.

My parents just bought a new TV blu-ray player home theater and find it all very difficult to function together, despite the fact that the tv and blu-ray/surround sound are made to work together.

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by nate2512

I get utterly pissed off when I can't just hit the damned DVD menu button and get to the movie. I occasionally watch the previews if its a really recent release and im waiting on someone to come in the room.

My parents just bought a new TV blu-ray player home theater and find it all very difficult to function together, despite the fact that the tv and blu-ray/surround sound are made to work together.

That is very annoying. Why can't they just put it in the menu, so if I want to see it, I can. Now I have to sit throught adverts before watching a DVD that I bought.