Rich Fiscus
17 Jul 2007 17:12
As prices drop on most DVDs, Warner Home Video is making retailers happy by unveiling plans for 14 DVD collections to be released in the fourth quarter of this year.
Since many of these multiple-disc sets are lavishly packaged and include exclusive add-ons, they carry pricing of $100 to $200 or more. Sets will include Harry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift Set and The Gilmore Girls: The Complete Series.
“There are opportunities in the marketplace at a time when there is erosion in pricing,” said Jeff Baker, Warner senior VP and general manager of theatrical catalog and sales. “We are moving upwards in price" with the upcoming collections.
Such DVD collector sets represented more than $500 million in consumer purchases last year, according to Warner research. Year-to-date, the category is 7% higher in sales than the same 2006 Frame, the studio believes.
Baker also singled out Warner’s upcoming 25th anniversary Blade Runner releases, which include four-disc and five-disc configurations, as especially critical for the studio.
Taking Blade Runner and Harry together, “this will mean $40 million in consumer sales,” estimated Baker.
Exact street dates for Potter, Blade Runner and Gilmore Girls sets haven’t yet been specified.
Source: Video Business