The Digital Entertainment Group Europe announced that, following robust sales in 2009, strong Blu-ray Disc (BD) sales continued during the first quarter of 2010, topping 151.4 million Euros.

According to the statement, combined with DVD sales, the home entertainment market (in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and UK) saw an increase of 2.3% in sales, a total of 1.5 Billion Euros and a unit increase of 3.8%. In 2009, sales of Blu-ray Discs grew 109% and the sales figures for Q1 2010 – more than 8.4 million discs sold between January and March 2010 – suggest Blu-ray Disc sales will continue to match this level in 2010.

The results, released by the Digital Entertainment Group Europe, highlight the growing popularity of the high-definition format and increased consumer demand for high quality home entertainment products.

The chart below provides the European wide summary:

DVD disc sales increased 0.9% during the first quarter of the year, and saw a mild 1.7% decrease in value. However, the uprising in Blu-ray Disc sales offset this decline, further evidence of the increasing popularity and appeal of the Blu-ray Disc format.

“Blu-ray has continued to ride the wave of success at the start of 2010 and it is promising to see consumers respond well to the format,” said Yves Caillaud, Senior Vice President (EMEA) of Warner Home Video and Digital Distribution and Chairman of the DEGE. “With the release of some of most popular films in cinematic history in the coming months, we expect to see Blu-ray sales continue to do well through the year. The industry is providing consumers with the most innovative and enjoyable home entertainment experiences, and we expect sales to increase as the penetration of HDTVs continues to accelerate.”

Recent releases on the Blu-ray Disc format include:

* 2012
* A Serious Man
* Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
* Fantastic Mr. Fox
* Inglorious Basterds
* Jennifer’s Body
* Nowhere Boy
* The Hurt Locker
* The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
* This Is It
* Twilight: New Moon
* Up
* Up in the Air

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