1.36 Million Blu-Ray Movies Sold in France by the End of November

Blu-ray Disc experiences exponential growth in France, set for even stronger growth in 2009. “In France, 2008 has been a phenomenal year for Blu-ray Disc and it is ending so positively with retailers reporting very strong demand for BD products in every sector from standalone players to movies, games consoles and PC products,” reported Daniel-Georges Levi, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and President of Blu-ray Partners France. “What is really exciting is that this trend is set to grow even more in 2009. We have important new members joining Blu-ray Partners France, such as TF1, and the groundswell in popular demand for this exciting new home entertainment platform is forecast to increase significantly.” Blu-ray Partners France announces that more than 1.36 million Blu-ray movies had been sold in France by the end of November, which represents an increase of 447% growth in year-to-date. The French Blu-ray Disc market generated € 38.3 million during this period, which represents 433 % growth in year-to-date.

In November alone some 312,000 Blu-ray Disc movies were sold, which represents a 311% increase compared with November 2007. “Blu-ray is here and happening in France,” confirmed Levi. “The platform is solid and is generating a critical mass of committed consumers who appreciate the superb image and sound quality that Blu-ray offers in their homes. “With major new releases we are seeing Blu-ray Disc contributing a significant proportion of total video sales and this trend is set to significantly increase as we progress into 2009,” concluded Daniel-Georges Levi.

The Top 10 in terms of BD percentage of total video
sold at the end of November 08 are*:

1. “Iron Man” (Warner – Rel. in Nov.08): 18.5%
2. “Cloverfield” (Paramount – Rel. in Aug.08): 17.7%
3. “Hitman” (Fox – Rel. in Jul.08): 16.8%
4. “I’m Legend” (Warner – Rel. in Jun.08): 15.0%
5. “Jumper” (Fox – Rel. in Sep.08): 14.5%
6. “There Will Be Blood” (WDSHE – Rel. in Sep.08): 12.6%
7. “10 000 BC” (Warner – Rel. in Sep.08): 12.2%
8. “Alien vs Predator – Requiem” (Fox – Rel. in Jul.08): 11.7%
9. “No Country For Old Men” (Paramount – Rel. in Sep.08): 10.52%
10. “John Rambo” (Seven 7 – Rel. in Sep.08): 10.49%

While the Top 10 BD sold in units in 2008,
at the end of November, are*:

1. “I’m Legend” (Warner): 37.0 Ku
2. “Iron Man” (Warner): 36.9 Ku
3. "Ratatouille" (WDSHE): 36.6 Ku
4. “Live Free Or Die Hard” (Fox): 34.5 Ku
5. “Fantastic Four 2” (Fox): 22.3 Ku
6. “300” (Warner): 20.9 Ku
7. “Harry Potter 5” (Warner): 20.9 Ku
8. “Bienvenue Chez les Ch’tis” (Fox): 20.3 Ku
9. “Pirates 3” (WDSHE): 20.1 Ku
10. “National Treasure 2” (WDSHE): 19.8 Ku

*Source GfK