Disney adds Blu-ray combo packs
PHYSICAL: Research shows consumers value dual-disc configurations
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 8/12/2009
AUG. 12 | PHYSICAL: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will extend its Blu-ray Combo Pack initiative, in which the studio includes a standard-definition DVD copy of films with its high-definition releases, through December 2010.
Originally, Disney planned to release the Combo Packs through the Oct. 6 Blu-ray release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The studio’s goal with the strategy is to ramp up the utility of Blu-ray releases by including the film in a format that can play in existing DVD players around the home.
Consumers overwhelmingly approve of the Combo Packs, according to Disney. In a recent online survey, conducted by the studio and Lieberman Research Worldwide, 77% of respondents who intend to embrace Blu-ray in the near future said Combo Packs are a better value than buying a standard DVD or Blu-ray alone.
“Since introducing the industry’s first Blu-ray Combo Pack in fall of 2008, we’ve seen tremendous consumer interest toward the purchase of product that comes fully loaded with extras that fit into their budgets, desires and lifestyles,” Disney president Bob Chapek said in a statement. “The Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack is the perfect marriage of value, quality and versatility all wrapped-up in a single package.”
Additional upcoming Combo Pack titles include Hannah Montana The Movie, due Aug. 18; Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Oct. 27; Up, Nov. 10; and Santa Buddies, Nov. 24.
