Euro Blu-ray sales up 1000% since PS3 launch
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced (via Pro-G) that more than 180,000 Blu-ray titles have been sold across Europe following a sales increase of over 1000% since the PlayStation 3's launch in March of this year. Sony is convinced that the surge in success for the high-definition format can be closely linked to the arrival of its all-singing, all-HD Console Royale. "The launch of the PS3 had a tremendous impact on Blu-ray software sales across the board," notes Matt Brown, VP International of Sony Pictures, who goes on to confirm that the PS3 is indeed an entertainment device. "Recent sales figures are a clear indication that the PS3 is seen as an entertainment device." Expect these figures to be cited in the shouting match between Blu-ray and algebraically-proven HD-DVD, shortly before old-fashioned DVD threatens to turn the car around.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GodisaMyth @ Jul 5th 2007 1:22PM
Please Universal, end this unnecessary War now. Just put your movies on Blu-ray and you will make more money.
Intentless @ Jul 5th 2007 1:24PM
I have to admit being a huge bond fan (not peirce bronsnan... those don't exist for me) I almost bought a PS3 just for this movie... instead my friend did so I won't bother..... for now...
vidGuy @ Jul 5th 2007 1:29PM
I was convinced BluRay won when Blockbuster declared it their go-to for HD rentals. Funny, though, since they made the decision based upon rentals from less than 1% of the US population.
The PS3 can die now. It accomplished its goal of establishing BluRay as the winner.
JodyAnthony @ Jul 5th 2007 1:34PM
I want bluray to win because blue is my favorite color.
BulletToothTony @ Jul 5th 2007 1:34PM
sorry vid guy.. ps3 not dying yet...i'm guessing 2016 sorry i hope you don't die about it..
WizarDru @ Jul 5th 2007 1:35PM
Hmmm. Sales are suddenly up right after the PS3 launch. Interestingly, Casino Royale, the best-selling Blu-Ray disc, sold right around it's launch in Europe. But I'm sure that there's absolutely no relation between the PS3 and Casino Royale that might account for this discrepancy.
deaftly @ Jul 5th 2007 1:35PM
id still rather dl from the video marketplace, i really dont watch movies more then once or twice, bluray and hddvd movies are just to much money and i already have a huge dvd collection, digital distribution is where its at now
Intentless @ Jul 5th 2007 1:35PM
Personally I prefer HD and its not a Sony/MS thing its when I go into the store the blue ray cost more then the HD and the Blue ray doesn't do anything that is so spectacular...
Blackie @ Jul 5th 2007 1:40PM
What's really funny is that Viacom owns Blockbuster, yet Viacom also owns universal studios.
So it's a bit interesting that Blockbuster went blu-ray.
WizarDru @ Jul 5th 2007 1:40PM
Hmmm. Stripped out my link, so let's try it again:
http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps3/europe-gets-bond-with-ps3-signups-235818.php
Sony giving away free copies of Casino Royale in Europe with the PS3 and PS Network might just have something to do with it's sudden spike. And when you have sales topping 100,000 as the best seller in BD or HD-DVD, improving by 1000% isn't really saying all that much...because you can tell that you've only been selling copies in the 1000-10,000 range. Hardly the stellar numbers a magic percentage indicates.
GodisaMyth @ Jul 5th 2007 1:41PM
Jody,
Good one. Blue is my son's favorite color also.
Go Blue!!! er I mean Blu
ComradeTrotskii @ Jul 5th 2007 1:43PM
So let me get this straight. Since the PS3 has launched they have sold about 162,000 Blu Rays to somewhere around 1 million PS3 owners across the entire continent of Europe.
Well I'm impressed.
GodisaMyth @ Jul 5th 2007 1:43PM
Just like the American launch...free blu-rays are NOT I repeat NOT counted as acutal sales.
Got it now?
Gods your gullible McFly.
miannone @ Jul 5th 2007 1:44PM
Talk about spinning the numbers to make you look good. How long have Blu-Ray discs been on the market? Not that long. Sales are up 180,000% since the first Blu-Ray disc sold, which was probably only 2-3 years ago.
Also the increase in sales of Blu-Ray discs cant just be attributed to the PS3, I'm sure the dramatic decrease in cost of other Blu-Ray players could be playing a small role.
(Hope I dont sound like I'm trashing Sony here, I know that happens a lot on this blog. My rebuttal is more from a statistical standpoint)
jp @ Jul 5th 2007 1:44PM
why aren't people boycotting universal
they can end this war if they just go neutral
JodyAnthony @ Jul 5th 2007 1:44PM
hey, other people base their choices off of pointless things, I might as well do the same. Plus since I'll bet getting myself a PS3 as soon as economically viable, I might as well support blu-ray (even though personally I am a-ok with regular ol' dvd)
Viridium @ Jul 5th 2007 1:47PM
I'm not buying either. Screw it, they're both too expensive. I don't really watch many movies or TV at all anyways. Gimme some more good games to play.
Triforceowner @ Jul 5th 2007 1:47PM
Sorry for the swear, but no shit. Who the f*** didn't see this coming. I mean really. 3 million PS3's worldwide going on 4 million and people think the cheap Blu-ray aspect of the console is going to go unused? The sooner Blu-ray wins the sooner the price goes down on the players and the sooner people like me can afford an HD set up.
Zertoss @ Jul 5th 2007 1:53PM
So, Sony, Blu-Ray wasn't included in the PS3 to push the format, hmm?
All of this is irrelevant anyway, because we all know this generation's winner is gonna be Red-Ray. Hehe.
Scumdog @ Jul 5th 2007 2:00PM
Makes you wonder how many BluRay movies would have sold if there had actually been games for people to play on their PS3's.
I have a PS3 and the only thing I've played was Resistence, which is the most lackluster and run-o-the-mill shooter I've played in years. I had more fun with Call of Duty 3 for the Wii.
Digi Smalls @ Jul 5th 2007 2:05PM
they just may have won the HD movie format war, but at what cost?
all this for what is probably the last physical media format ever.
.
liqwid @ Jul 5th 2007 2:08PM
I guess when PS3 owners finally get some good games, Blu-Ray sales will plummet.
People aren't boycotting HD DVD because the format is finished. It doesn't have to have anymore things to be added to it, like the Blu-Ray format does.
No, Viacom owns Paramount and Dreamworks. Both are format neutral.
Besides, the DVD Forum won't let HD DVD die. The DVD Forum has the backers of the DVD format and if the DVD Forum backs HD DVD, then HD DVD is the official DVD format, and it won't be gone any time soon.
Toshiba won't let it die, just as Sony won't EVER let Blu-Ray die. Look at MiniDisc.
GodisaMyth @ Jul 5th 2007 2:12PM
"I guess when PS3 owners finally get some good games, Blu-Ray sales will plummet."
Anythings possible. I doubt that will happen.
When good games for the PS2 came out did DVD's stop selling?
I will continue to buy Blu-ray movies long after this fall when the good games start coming out.
I have heard this arguement many times, I just do not see the logic in it.
copa @ Jul 5th 2007 2:19PM
What we learned today:
- Only 18,000 Blu-Ray titles sold across all of Europe pre-March.
- Since March, 180,000 PS3's have been sold across all of Europe with a free pack-in copy of Casino Royale.
I agree that Blu-Ray has won the next-gen DVD format war, but this is pretty fucking underwhelming news.
Figboy @ Jul 5th 2007 2:23PM
um, Zertross, Sony never said that the PS3 *WASN'T for pushing the Blu Ray format.
you talk as if there was some clandestine conspiracy, where Sony snuck a Blu Ray player into the PS3, without letting anyone know what they were up, then jumped out at the last minute yelling, "Surprise!"
they've always worn their intentions on their sleeve: use the PS3 to establish Blu Ray, much like how the PS2 really drove DVD sales into the stratosphere (sure, DVD was out before; i had a player, but movie content was slim, discs had no special features, etc. it was very bare bones. about a year after the PS2 launched, DVDs were plentiful, and on the up and up).
if people *DIDN'T think Sony had a strategy in place to make the format they were backing become the next big thing, then they're seriously naive (as a note, since people seem to not know this: Blu Ray *ISN'T Sony's proprietary format. they're just backing it. the BDA is comprised of more companies than Sony, ie Fox and Disney, Dell, and Apple who have a vested interest in Blu Ray's success outside of Sony. the PS3 is the primary Blu Ray pusher because of the tremendous success of the first two Playstations, and the brand recognition they carry. it's smart business, to be honest. risky, but smart).
it seems like what some gamers don't understand is that the sooner Blu Ray becomes the next gen standard, the sooner the price will drop on the PS3 that they so desperately want, but can't afford.
Sony's releasing a $499 Blu Ray player soon. i expect the PS3 to drop to $499 as well.
by holiday season, i wouldn't be surprised if Blu Ray players were sub $300. if that happens, expect another PS3 price drop soon after (sometime in mid 2008)
to the people that are *STILL beating the PS3 has no games horse: according to metacritic, out of about 45 PS3 games, 22 of them are rated 75 and up. that's not too shabby.
as for the Wii? out of about 65, 12 of them are rated 75 and up, and most of them Nintendo properties.
i own 3 Blu Ray movies, and i own 4 PS3 games (Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Resistance, Oblivion, and Spider-Man 3; though Spider-Man is beyond mediocre; can't help it, i'm a fan).
i buy *BOTH games and movies. why? because i'm a consumer that actually *WANTS high definition movies and gaming, and the convenience of having that functionality rolled into a $600 is great. keep in mind that a stand alone HD player will run you over $500 (if you go Blu Ray), and a gaming console is about $400 (X Box 360). that's over $900. i saved myself, at the least, $400 by going with a PS3.
considering that Blu Ray started taking the lead over HD DVD here in the US after the PS3 launched in November makes this sales increase in Europe not surprising.
once you see an HD movie (whether it's HD DVD or Blu Ray), it really *IS hard to go back to standard def.
after seeing movies like Casino Royale and Pirates of the Carribean in HD on my TV, i am absolutely *HOOKED on HD content. especially HD gaming.
GodisaMyth @ Jul 5th 2007 2:34PM
Figboy,
Nice post. I could not agree more, especially with having now watched Blu-ray movies...I can hardly stomach a DVD, upscaled or not.
This 4th quarter I am going to go broke buying games and movies.
Going broke....OOOhhhhkkkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!
HG
Boss Tempo @ Jul 5th 2007 2:41PM
"The DVD Forum has the backers of the DVD format and if the DVD Forum backs HD DVD, then HD DVD is the official DVD format, and it won't be gone any time soon."
Exactly. And this is why you don't hear spun up bullshit from HD DVD like you do BluRay every other day.
Matt B @ Jul 5th 2007 2:43PM
No figboy, they jumped out and yelled "SUPPLIES!!"
Zertoss @ Jul 5th 2007 3:01PM
@25 "um, Zertross, Sony never said that the PS3 *WASN'T for pushing the Blu Ray format.
you talk as if there was some clandestine conspiracy, where Sony snuck a Blu Ray player into the PS3, without letting anyone know what they were up, then jumped out at the last minute yelling, "Surprise!""
Way to miss the sarcasm. You know you're a fanboy when you can't take a joke about your favorite system. Besides, Sony did say the Blu-Ray wasn't there to push the format over HD-DVD. Don't believe me?
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/sony-on-blu-ray-for-ps3-its-got-nothing-to-do-with-movies/
sheppy @ Jul 5th 2007 3:01PM
You know what's funny to me? People stating that the Casino Royale promo inflated these numbers when the numbers are 180,000 and Sony has given away 500,000 copies of Casino Royale. Just as the Taledega Nights numbers were never added to BluRays bottom line in the states, those Casino Royale sales seem remarkably absent from that 180,000 figure.
Having said that, I love hearing people complain about the "high price" of BluRay versus Digital Distribution....
HD Physical Media
-Pricing comparable to DVD around the time of PS2's launch. Seriously, The Matrix was $35 on DVD. Since the launch of the 360's HD-DVD add-on and PS3's launch, HD content pricing has gone down.
-You own the content. This IS important. Because when you get tired of the movie, you can sell it to a friend or even lend it to a friend. For people who plan to watch the movie multiple times, this is a great asset as well.
Digital Distribution
-Broadband NEEDED. Majority of homes still don't have true broadband. Before Digital Distribution can truly dominate, the pipes need to be wide and clear. Until that moment, rentals, netflix, and even Pay=Per-View will continue to kick this distribution methods ass.
-You buy what you'll never own. You can't lend or trade or sell your copy of a DD title. This shit cannot happen so it's a major strike against it.
polly @ Jul 5th 2007 3:12PM
Blu-ray enthusiasts never miss a chance to tell everyone they know that the format war is over.
Adv2k1 @ Jul 5th 2007 3:16PM
fuzzy math
Boss Tempo @ Jul 5th 2007 3:55PM
Maybe some day PS3 will get as many game developers as it has movie studios.
Admiral @ Jul 5th 2007 4:00PM
@miannone:
So you're saying that a huge increase in blu-ray sales over a 4 month period can't be correlated with an event that happened 4 months ago (Euro PS3 release)? Are you really that stupid?
Brian Spence @ Jul 5th 2007 4:05PM
Boss Tempo: Bitter?
Brad Lee @ Jul 5th 2007 4:06PM
I still don't understand the point of this war.
The VHS to DVD transition made more sense. DVDs didn't just provide better picture quality, the disc was far more durable and longer lasting than the tapes ever were. Fast fowarding was a pain in the ass with VHS, but DVD made it a snap to switch to different chapters. The DVD cases took up less space in your living room, and to make it even more space-conscious, you could buy a DVD binder case and hold a huge library in a small space. Also, the added space allowed for room for bonus extras and behind the scenes footage.
The only real reason to upgrade to HDDVD or BluRay is for better picture quality. And while most homes still don't have HDTVs, there's really no reason at all for them to upgrade.
I live in a house with an HDTV and an HD Projector TV, and I've seen comparisons and tests and whatnot, and I'm sorry, but the upgrade just isn't worth the money. Not until the prices drop significantly anyway.
Vidikron @ Jul 5th 2007 4:28PM
@36
What's not to understand? You said it yourself: better picture quality. You also get better audio quality if you have the right equipment. And, yeah, mosty homes don't have HDTVs, but more do everyday. This is a war to be the next standard. This includes the future, just not today. Using your logic technology would never advance. Why have HD content at all if no one has HDTVs (including TV shows and games!)? Why produce HDTVs if there is no HD content? That's where we would sit forever using your logic.
Yes, the price is high right now, but it IS falling as more people buy. That early adopters are well aware of the fact they are paying a premium to have it now. You want to wait? Fine. Lots of people are doing that. But keep in mind that it's the people buying now that will bring the price down for people like you to buy in later. It's just how it works.
Personally, I hate the format war as well. I think it's stupid, but not for the reason you gave. IMO, the companies/studios backing these formats should have come to an agreement on a universal format ahead of time and never brought the war to the consumer. The format war is only slowing the adoption rate.
Digi Smalls @ Jul 5th 2007 5:07PM
figboy, the difference between what the PS2 did for DVD and what the PS3 did for Blu-Ray is about $300. twice the price.
movie playback was an effectively free bonus feature of the PS2. for the PS3, movie playback is a primary and deliberate investment you must pay handsomely for.
so far, playing games has been the bonus feature of the PS3, and a lot of people aren't happy with that. this is Joystiq not Netflix.
.
Evan @ Jul 5th 2007 5:26PM
@jp "why aren't people boycotting universal they can end this war if they just go neutral"
Don't blame Universal for the format war. If you follow the formats' histories, you'd see that the DVD Forum, made up of most of the big name electronic manufacturers, officially selected HD-DVD as the one and only high-definition format. It was afterwards that Sony came along with the BluRay format, adding a second format and causes this whole mess.
@Figboy "use the PS3 to establish Blu Ray, much like how the PS2 really drove DVD sales into the stratosphere"
The difference is:
- Sony used DVD to drive PS2 sales.
- Sony is using PS3 to drive BluRay sales.
Sony had to pay licensing fees to other companies, including Toshiba, in order to include DVD video in the PS2. DVD support cost Sony money. But with BluRay, Sony collects money for every BluRay disk pressed, so BluRay makes Sony money.
@Figboy "if people *DIDN'T think Sony had a strategy in place to make the format they were backing become the next big thing, then they're seriously naive"
As if Sony didn't have a strategy to make Beta and MiniDisc the next big things. There's always a strategy, but strategies often fail.
poprocker @ Jul 5th 2007 5:37PM
Fanboys and their favorite formats. I love this stuff.
Stakker @ Jul 5th 2007 5:51PM
"The launch of the PS3 had a tremendous impact on Blu-ray SOFTWARE sales across the board,"
Are they counting games here? Does it actually say movies anywhere? "Titles" and "disks" can be both. "Software" sounds like games to me :-) I just found that choice of words interesting, that's all.
Ordeith @ Jul 5th 2007 7:15PM
PS3 Selling, Blu-Ray Selling... Alllowing their government to collect massive taxes.
It doesn't make you look good, Europe.
Jared @ Jul 5th 2007 9:15PM
When Sony bagged exclusivity with the number of studios it did, I reserved myself to the fact that Blu-Ray would win.
However, I bought the HD DVD add-on for my 360 anyway.
Why?
BECAUSE IT'S STILL FUCKING CHEAPER!
HD DVDs cause less to produce and at sites like Fry's and Target, it's reflected in the purchase price.
So, until Blu-Ray wins and starts selling players for $149, I'm still gonna buy HD DVDs. Especially if/when they're in the clearance bin for $2 each.
WIN!
BloodyDuck @ Jul 6th 2007 9:43AM
180,000 / 1000% is about 18,000 copies. The percentage is enormous because the base that it's growing off of is so very small.
It makes sense that the PS3 is responsible for the surge - but let's keep this in perspective.
-Geoff
http://www.alinktothefuture.com