Blu-ray sales near 1 million in North America

High-def format sells 250,000 in Europe

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 8/30/2007

AUG. 30 | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment trumpeted hitting 250,000 in Blu-ray Disc sales in Europe, and said the format is nearing the 1 million mark in North America.

Making the announcement from Berlin, Germany, the site of this week’s 2007 electronics conference IFA, Sony also touted Blu-ray’s overall market momentum.

Since the European launch of PlayStation 3 in March, weekly sales of Blu-ray titles have averaged between two-to-five times the amount of HD DVD sales week over week in the region. Blu-ray software accounts for 69% of the total high-def market in Europe, with Sony titles making up more than 47% of the total Blu-ray market in that region. The best-selling high-def title in Europe is Sony’s Casino Royale.

Earlier, Sony has highlighted Blu-ray adoption progress in such emerging markets as Hong Kong, Eastern Europe and South Africa.

“These sales milestones across the world illuminate the positive reception from retailers and consumers alike for Blu-ray,” said David Bishop, Sony president worldwide. “Our strong fourth-quarter lineup will underscore confidence in this format.”

Upcoming high-profile Sony Blu-ray titles include the Oct. 30 release of Spider-Man 3 and the Nov. 12 bow of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

“With the breadth of titles already available on Blu-ray, the format is out-selling HD DVD by more than two-to-one in Europe. Going into Q4, SPHE has a strong slate on deck and support from retailers,” said Simon McDowell, senior VP of Europe at Sony.