Blu-ray Sales Rise in Western Europe and Japan

media control GfK International announced that it has released its 2010 Year End Home Video Retail Sales Report.

For more information visit: www.mcgfk.net


Unedited press release follows:

media control GfK International Announces 2010 Year End DVD & Blu-ray Sales

– Blu-ray Sales Up 76% in Western Europe; 120% in Japan –

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2011 — media control GfK International, the leader in international media and entertainment tracking servicing the global entertainment industry, announced today the release of its 2010 Year End Home Video Retail Sales Report.

According to media control GfK International research, based on actual point-of-sale data, year-over-year Blu-ray unit sales to consumers increased in Western Europe (+) 76%. While combined retail sales of DVD/Blu-ray units declined (-) 4.8% in Western Europe, video retail markets in Germany, France, and Finland performed better than the previous year.

“A slower adoption rate of the Blu-ray format in Western Europe is the prime lagger for some key retail markets in Western Europe not able to offset declines in sales of standard definition DVD,” said Brad Hackley, President of media control GfK, USA.

The Japan video retail market remained somewhat buoyant from the prior year, with combined retail sales of DVD/Blu-ray units declining only (-) 1.73%. The video market in Japan was stabilized by its robust Blu-ray sector, which increased (+) 120% in unit sales.

media control GfK International’s 2010 Year End Home Video Retail Sales Report provides total market estimated DVD & Blu-ray retail unit sales for four regions: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Australasia.

About Media Control GfK:
Established in 1976, media control is the world’s largest provider and expert of international media & entertainment performance metrics, collecting point-of-sale data from 29 countries and providing both local and global data analysis to industry clients necessary to make informed decisions in today’s rapidly-changing entertainment environment. media control has offices in over 30 countries.