Transformers 2 sells 7.5 million DVD, Blu-ray discs
PHYSICAL: Movie is biggest-selling 2009 title in first-week sales
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/28/2009
OCT. 28 | PHYSICAL: Paramount Home Entertainment sold a healthy 7.5 million DVD/Blu-ray Disc units of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in its first week of release, according to the studio.
Transformers 2 claimed the largest first-week Blu-ray release spot.
This figure encompasses copies going into both sell-through and rental channels in North America.
Transformers, which debuted on Oct. 20, is now ranked as the biggest-selling 2009 title within its debut week at stores.
Paramount also is touting Transformers as the year’s largest first-week Blu-ray release, moving 1.2 million high-definition units in North America.
The strong sales come at a time when the home entertainment industry has had lowered sales. Although rentals rose 9.9% in the third quarter, sell-through for packaged media was down 13.9%, according to DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.
Transformers’ results is good news for studio executives and retailers alike. This second installment of the franchise nears the 8.3 million North American units sold during the first week of the original Transformers release in 2007. At that point, consumers were not yet reeling with major recession woes, and DVD spending was closer to peak levels.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is this year’s strongest theatrical blockbuster, generating more than $400 million in the U.S.
Summit Home Entertainment’s Twilight is still considered the overall No. 1 title of 2009, with more than 8 million DVD/Blu-ray units sold since its March 21 street, according to the studio. Twilight moved 5.2 million DVD/Blu-ray copies in the U.S. in its own first week of release.
