The Digital Entertainment Group Europe (DEGE) announced that, in the third quarter of 2010, Blu-ray Disc sales across Europe doubled year over year.

For more information visit: www.deg-europe.eu

Unedited press release follows:

DEGE 2010 Third Quarter Home Entertainment Report

Q3 Sales Results Show Increased Consumer Spending in the European Home Entertainment Sector

LONDON–The Digital Entertainment Group Europe today announced a Q3 2010 Software sales update which reveals that Blu-ray disc sales across Europe have doubled year-on-year, now accounting for 445 million Euros spent year-to-date. Combined with DVD sales consumer spending has increased 0.7 percent across the sector overall compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of four billion Euros.

The results emphasise the continued growth in popularity and consumer adoption of Blu-ray as well as demand for higher quality home entertainment experiences. Spurred by a range of successful Blu-ray film releases, including Avatar, The Clash of The Titans, 2012, Alice in Wonderland and Sherlock Holmes throughout 2010, growth has excelled expectations.

European summary:
  	  	Sales (Euros) 	  	+/-% 	  	Volume (Units) 	  	+/-%
BD 		€445 Million 		72.3% 		24.7 Million 		98.3%
DVD 		€3.5 Billion 		-4.3% 		342 Million 		-5.8%
Total 		€4 Billion 		0.7% 		367 Million 		-2.3%

DVD sales have noted a dip compared to the same period last year, however the substantial rise of Blu-ray sales more than offset this decline.

“Over the past two years, we have seen Blu-ray come into the home entertainment limelight as consumers are becoming more discerning in terms of the quality they want and are seeking more immersive home entertainment experiences,” commented Yves Caillaud, Senior Vice President (EMEA) of Warner Home Video and Digital Distribution and Chairman of the DEGE. “During the last quarter of the year, we expect to see sales continue to gain momentum as the latest Blu-ray blockbusters make it onto everyone’s Christmas lists.”

Caillaud added, “It is also important to note that today’s figures do not reflect the rapidly growing digital distribution sector, which would further underscore the strength in consumer spending in the European Home Entertainment sector.”

Upcoming releases on the Blu-ray Disc format include:

* Iron Man 2
* Shrek Forever
* Salt
* Inception
* Avatar: Extended Collector’s Edition
* The Karate Kid
* Alien Anthology
* How to Train Your Dragon

The sales results in this announcement are derived from official European market performance figures and include the following countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and UK.