Amazon bundles Blu-ray software

Online retailer gets Beyonce exclusive

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 11/26/2008

NOV. 26 | Amazon.com has built up a hefty supply of exclusive Blu-ray Disc software bundles, offering consumers bargain pricing over the titles’ individual cost.

Launched in May, Amazon.com now offers more than 20 of these deals, which average 45% to 50% off the featured titles’ combined individual prices. Many bundles pair three like-minded releases, for instance, $65.95 Blu-ray War Classics, featuring 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s Patton, The Longest Day and Sand Pebbles; $41.99 Zombie Bundle with Anchor Bay Entertainment’s Day of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead and Evil Dead II; and Blu-ray Suspense and Thriller with Fox’s The Usual Suspects, Speed and Phone Booth.

The bundles are proving popular with Amazon shoppers, as many are listed within the site’s Top 1,000 overall DVD/Blu-ray rankings, company spokeswoman Tammy Hovey said.

“We’re always looking for ways to provide our customers with great products at a great value,” said Hovey. “Bundles are a great way for people to build out their movie and TV show libraries without breaking the bank.”

Due to Amazon’s ongoing commitment to Blu-ray, the site was able to score a fourth-quarter exclusive with Beyonce’s first solo Blu-ray release, The Beyonce Experience Live, which bowed on Nov. 18. Sony BMG distributed the title on Blu-ray and DVD on that date. The Blu-ray Beyonce Experience will be available for other retailers after Jan. 16.

Earlier this year, Amazon landed Warner Home Video’s first Blu-ray exclusive, the April 22 release of Six Degrees Could Change the World.

“Amazon.com is continuing to build its reputation as the destination for Blu-ray,” said Hovey. “The Beyonce DVD is just another example of the work our teams have done to make great content available to our customers at a great price.”

The site hopes its Blu-ray offers become part of customer year-end gift-giving plans.

“As the first holiday season without a format war, we think Blu-ray will do well this year,” Hovey added. “Hardware prices continue to decline, making it more affordable for people to upgrade, and I think many people will see this holiday shopping season as an opportunity to take advantage of some great Blu-ray deals.”