Special Features - DVD market on the rise

British films like Casino Royale - starring Daniel Craig as James Bond - have helped contributed to the growth of the DVD market.

DVD market on the rise
(04/01/08)

The UK DVD market has seen a record boost in sales, thanks to a range of successful British films, over the last few years.

Blockbuster titles such as James Bond's Casino Royale, Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix and Hot Fuzz have contributed to the continual growth of the market, according to the British Video Association (BVA).

Increased sales

BVA figures show a nine per cent rise in sales in 2007 with around 250 million units being sold compared to 229 million in 2006.

Within the top 10 titles, British films made up 45 per cent of these sales. Casino Royale took the number one spot, while films such as Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix also did well, selling in excess of two million DVDs.

Children's titles like Shrek the Third and Happy Feet as well as the huge demand for old classics such as The Snowman also helped contribute to the overall sale increase in 2007.

A consumer passion DVDs

Contrary to popular belief, caused by online availability and a recent increase in film piracy, the DVD market in the UK continues to grow.

"There have been concerns that new technologies and piracy would reduce the physical sales of video," said BVA Director General, Lavinia Carey.

"However, distributors and retailers have reacted by offering consumers even more choice and value for money and consumers are clearly responding as the market continues to increase on a monthly basis.

"Our 2007 year-end figures clearly illustrate UK consumers' continuing passion for buying and collecting DVD."

Market volume growth for 2008

As well as DVDs, figures from BVA showed an increase in popularity for next-generation High-Definition discs a format the Association say "will continue to grow".

Carey said: "BVA maintains the view that physical product in the form of DVD and High-Definition discs will continue to dominate the market for many more years to come."