Video Business back issues from February 2009:
Sports, Fitness & Wellness VB Purchasing Guide.(Buyers guide)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Compiled by Cheryl Cheng and Cindy Spielvogel Upcoming fitness titles will span yoga, tai chi and Pilates, and sports releases will focus on golf and more Fitness and Wellness Feb. 24 Honey & Spice: Sensual & Fierce Burlesque STRATO-STREAM ...
New release, any day.(Conference news)(Column)
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Marcy Magiera This week I'll be moderating a panel at a new industry event here in Los Angeles, The Future of Packaged Media , put on by the Media-Tech Assn., EMA and CDSA . The topic is Brick and Mortar: Still Standing , and as part of the description, conference ...
New Releases.
Feb 02, 2009 ... Edited by Samantha Clark ...
Subs grow, costs fall.(revenue report)(Financial report)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Danny King Netflix's Q4 profit up 45%; 700,000 sign up for Blu-ray Netflix's fourth-quarter profit surged 45% as its customer base grew faster than forecast, while the company cut costs related to acquiring new subscribers. The company also will repurchase as much ...
All growth from digital?
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault Futuresource: Packaged media will be flat through 2012 Despite the prevailing belief among studios that Blu-ray Disc will offset declines in standard DVD enough to return home entertainment to growth in 2010, Futuresource offers a more sobering ...
NARM adds digital, Blu-ray to convention.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault NARM is broadening the appeal of its 2009 conference, inviting the public to a number of music showcases for the first time. The group also is expanding to target entertainment suppliers and retailers and adding coverage of ...
Koch changes name to E1 Entertainment.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Cindy Spielvogel Koch Entertainment Distribution is changing its name to E1 Entertainment Distribution. The change comes as Koch's parent company, Entertainment One, based in Toronto and London, ...
Scene & Noted.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Staff SCENE : Philippe Cardon is stepping down from his post as president of international at Warner , after deciding he didn't want to be part of a corporate restructuring that would move his family from Europe to Los Angeles. -- Blockbuster named Robert "Bob" Barr VP of ...
Blu-ray gets post-holiday push.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault Sony, retailers use discounts to entice new adopters Retailers that were slower to embrace Blu-ray Disc are picking up promotion of the format in the first quarter, hoping to take advantage of new players in homes after the holidays. For ...
Movie Gallery closes distribution center.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Danny King Movie Gallery is closing its Oregon distribution center, resulting in the loss of about 200 jobs. The company will move distribution operations from its Wilsonville, Ore., plant to its Nashville, Tenn., facility, Movie Gallery said in a statement. All but 30 of the ...
From public library to DVD library.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Samantha Clark Two titles adapted from the printed page will arrive in March and April. Universal's $49 million-grossing The Tale of Despereaux , based on the children's book by Kate DiCamillo, will be released on DVD ($29.98) and Blu-ray ($39.98) on March 17 ...
Biz building.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Paul Sweeting Netflix provided a rare bit of good news last week amid the gathering economic gloom, posting a 45% gain in fourth-quarter net income on higher revenue and an unexpected surge in subscribers. At a time when falling DVD sales may force studios to take ...
Technicolor parent admits large debt.(Thomson)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Susanne Ault Thomson to focus on TV, film Thomson, the parent of major DVD replicator Technicolor, has admitted to investors that it needs a cash infusion to shore up large debt and other operational weaknesses. Thomson said it will improve its finances ...
Image declares Nyx in breach of agreement.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault Image Entertainment has declared Nyx Acquisitions in breach of the two companies' proposed merger agreement, the latest in a string of disappointments for the DVD supplier in its long ...
Amazon media sales rise 9% in Q4.(Financial report)
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Danny King Amazon.com's fourth-quarter earnings beat analysts' estimates, as sales of media items such as DVDs, CDs and books rose 9%. Amazon's net income increased 8.7% to $225 million, or 52¢, from $207 ...
Networks release historical records.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Laurence Lerman DVDs from the Big Three rally 'round Obama The first wave of President Barack Obama titles in 2009 come from TV's three major broadcast networks--ABC, CBS and NBC--all of which look at the Jan. 20 historic inauguration day of Obama as the 44th ...
DVD Forum names Sensio as one home 3D standard.(Sensio Technologies)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Danny King The DVD Forum has named Sensio Technologies' products an optional standard that technology component makers can use for three-dimensional content for home viewing. Montreal-based Sensio, which makes products ranging from 3D glasses to decoders that ...
Rock Band gets Spectacular!
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault Sony's March 31 release Spectacular! is being billed as the first DVD to offer two new tracks for popular music videogame Rock Band . Premiering on Nickelodeon Feb. 16, Spectacular! follows a rowdy musician who is recruited by a high school choir. The ...
Lieberfarb requests dismissal of MOD lawsuit.(Warren Lieberfarb)(MOD Systems)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Jennifer Netherby Warren Lieberfarb has filed the latest strike in his legal battle with digital kiosk company MOD Systems. Lieberfarb sued MOD in September, claiming the company owes him more than $1 million in unpaid consulting fees. MOD filed a countersuit in January, ...
Top DVD Sellers.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 24, ...
Top Blu-ray Sellers.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 24, 2009 <Pre> Top Blu-ray Sellers ---------------------------------------- Rank Title (label/distributor) 1 MAX PAYNE (FOX, $39.98) 2 THE DARK KNIGHT (WB, $35.99) 3 ...
Top DVD Renters.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 24, ...
Top Specialized Renters.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 24, 2009 <Pre>Top Specialized Renters ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title (label/distributor) Index NONTHEATRICAL 1 ...
Top Download-to-Own.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 24, 2009 <Pre> Blockbuster Video ----------------------------------------- Rank Title (Label/Distributor, SRP) 1 UNDERWORLD (SONY, $9.99) 2 UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION (SONY, $9.99) 3 MY BLOODY VALENTINE (PAR, $7.99) ...
Synecdoche, New York.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Cheryl Cheng SONY Street: March 10 Prebook: Feb. 5 > Charlie Kaufman's ambitious directorial debut about art imitating reality. Titled after a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, ...
The Mighty B!: We Got the Bee.(Video recording review)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Buzz McClain NICKELODEON Street: Feb. 24 Prebook: now > SNL star Amy Poehler brings snarky humor to edgy animation. The snarky, off-kilter and utterly juvenile humor of Saturday Night Live 's Amy Poehler is amply on display in ...
The Village Barbershop.(Video recording review)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Buzz McClain MONTEREY Street: March 3 Prebook: Feb. 3 > Easygoing indie about small-town living a la Waitress . The appeal of this charming character piece comes from the effectiveness of John Ratzenberger as a crusty, failing ...
The Cure: Trilogy Blu-ray.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault EAGLE ROCK Street: Feb. 3 Prebook: now > Blu-ray's eye-popping effects are limited, but Cure fans will still crave Robert Smith. The most visually arresting moments of Trilogy , showcasing live 2002 performances of ...
The Universe of Keith Haring.(Video recording review)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Ed Grant ARTS ALLIANCE AMERICA Street: Feb. 10 Prebook: now > Portrait of the late artist and graffiti-deity. The artist who fused graffiti, cartooning and fine art is memorialized in this fast-moving, affectionate portrait. Keith ...
Dark Reel.(Video recording review)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Buzz McClain NORTH AMERICAN MOTION PICTURES Street: March 10 Prebook: Feb. 3 > Edward Furlong and Lance Henriksen enliven a B-movie about B-movies. In this low-budget B-movie, Edward Furlong is a B-movie fanboy who wins a walk-on ...
Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Cyril Pearl WEINSTEIN/GENIUS Street: Feb. 3 Prebook: now > Kevin Smith's raunchy rom-com aims for the Judd Apatow jugular. With Zack and Miri Make a Porno , director/screenwriter Kevin Smith sidesteps the mallrat stylings of his ...
Surrealist Motion, Vol. One Blu-ray.
Feb 02, 2009 ... By Samantha Clark MICROCINEMA Street: Feb. 24 Prebook: now > Stunning imagery shows off Blu-ray's crisp picture. Since the release of the virtual fireplace, TV screens have been used as showcases as well as entertainment centers ....
Palo Alto, CA.(Video recording review)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Ed Hulse IMAGE Street: Feb. 17 Prebook: now > Amiable, low-budget teen dramedy has appealing cast and believable situations. Four childhood friends (familiar TV faces Ben Savage, Johnny Lewis, Justin Mentell, Aaron Ashmore), now ...
Cadillac Records.(Video recording review)
Feb 02, 2009; ... By Ed Hulse SONY Street: March 10 Prebook: Feb. 5 > Dynamic era of American popular music is recreated with verve and style. Cadillac Records boasts a terrific ensemble cast and a great soundtrack of popular '50s tunes, from the ...
Kids VB Purchasing Guide.
Feb 09, 2009 ... Compiled by Cheryl Cheng More from Scooby-Doo (l.), Winnie the Pooh (c.), Ben 10 and other properties are on their way to DVD March 10 Pinocchio 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition DISNEY prebook now; two-DVD $29.99, BD with DVD $35.99 Family: Available for ...
Upside in downturn.(Conference news)
Feb 09, 2009; ... By Marcy Magiera LOS ANGELES--The current economic recession will create opportunities for well-positioned retailers. This couldn't have been more clear than during Hastings Entertainment chief John Marmaduke 's keynote speech at the Future of Packaged Media conference here ...
New Releases.
Feb 09, 2009 ... Edited by Samantha Clark ...
VOD gains ground.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Jennifer Netherby Uni, Fox, Summit expand delivery simultaneous with DVD Add Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Summit Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to the list of studios shutting the window between DVD and video-on-demand as DVD sales ...
Online video viewing jumps on TV episodes.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Danny King According to ComScore's "2008 Digital Year in Review," 146 million people in the U.S. watched online videos during the year, an increase of 6%. Usage increased more dramatically, with the number of videos per viewer increasing 27%, and the total number of videos ...
Scene & Noted.(Entertainment Merchants Association)(briefs)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Staff SCENE: Jim Wuthrich has been promoted to president of international home video and digital distribution at Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. In this newly created position, Wuthrich will more closely align the studio's packaged product and digital businesses. -- ...
Consumers still prefer packages.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault Netflix's Sarandos touts streaming, DVD as complementary LOS ANGELES--Consumers overwhelmingly prefer physical over digitally delivered entertainment, but discs' selling points need to be sharpened, according to participants at last week's Future of ...
Microsoft to offer videos on Zune.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Marc Graser Microsoft has created a shingle that will produce a slate of video programming exclusively for the Zune. The move ...
Netflix, Xbox Live users at 1 million.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Jennifer Netherby More than 1 million Xbox Live users have downloaded the Netflix application to watch movies and TV shows through their Xbox ...
Hell in Blu-ray, DVD box set.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Samantha Clark Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Hellraiser will be released on Blu-ray on April 21 (prebook March 19) as a stand-alone release ($29.97) and in a Hellraiser Limited Edition Box Set ($59.97) with 20th anniversary special edition DVDs of both the original ...
Ups and downs.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Paul Sweeting Cyclical, or secular? That is the question preoccupying studio minds these days as they stare into the abyss of plunging DVD sales. In an earnings call with analysts last week, Walt Disney Co. chairman/CEO Robert Iger gave voice to a fear that must be ...
Monty Python sees bright side of YouTube.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Jennifer Netherby Web site program boosts Amazon sales of troupe's DVDs Most studios continue to withhold movie and TV clips from YouTube, but the user-generated Web site says it now has proof that offering free clips boosts DVD sales. Pointing to Monty ...
Netflix might work weekends.(Financial report)(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009; ... By Danny King Netflix might start keeping some of its distribution centers open on weekends in an effort to better fulfill subscriber requests for early-week delivery, despite a request by the U.S. Postal Service for Congress to allow it to stop Saturday deliveries in order to ...
Screen Media goes low on Blu-ray.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault Releasing titles with recognizable stars Screen Media's first Blu-ray Disc slate, including March 10 release Battle in Seattle , will use price and personalities to compete with major studio releases in the new format. To break into the ...
Universal bundles high-def.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Susanne Ault Aims to attract new buyers with budget sets Universal Studios Home Entertainment is trying new configurations in an effort to boost sales of catalog titles on Blu-ray Disc. In the case of Feb. 10 releases Doom and Rundown , the studio will ...
X the spot for tickets.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Laurence Lerman The X-Men Trilogy will be released on Blu-ray Disc on April 21 (prebook March 25) with a BD Live feature that allows fans to purchase advance tickets to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine in theaters. Tickets can be purchased through e-commerce provider Tailgate, ...
Rentrak fiscal Q3 earnings double.(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009; ... By Danny King Rentrak's fiscal third-quarter earnings doubled from a year earlier on a surge in sales for its media audience-tracking services and a tax benefit. Net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 119% to $1.2 million, or ...
Jaman adds E1 movies to downloads.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Jennifer Netherby Online movie site Jaman.com has inked a deal with E1 Entertainment (formerly Koch) to offer 3,000 movies from the supplier's library. The deal includes films from such ...
Top DVD Sellers.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 31, ...
Top Blu-ray Sellers.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 31, 2009 <Pre> Top Blu-ray Sellers --------------------------------------- Rank Title (label/distributor) 1 MAX PAYNE (FOX, $39.98) 2 LAKEVIEW TERRACE (SONY, $39.95) 3 THE DARK ...
Top DVD Renters.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 31, ...
Top Specialized Renters.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 31, ...
Top Download-to-Own.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Staff Week ended January 31, 2009 <Pre> Blockbuster Video ------------------------------------------- Rank Title (Label/Distributor, SRP) 1 FIREPROOF (SONY, $19.99) 2 LAKEVIEW TERRACE (SONY, $19.99) 3 OPEN SEASON 2 (SONY, $19.99) 4 ...
Rachel Getting Married.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Irv Slifkin SONY Street: March 17 Prebook: Feb. 12 > Much buzzed-about comedy/drama boasts Hathaway in Oscar-nominated role. Filmmaker Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs , Philadelphia ) gets back to his homey roots with ...
Shaun the Sheep: Back in the Ba-a-ath.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Buzz McClain HIT/LIONSGATE Street: Feb. 10 Prebook: now > Animator Nick Park's clay sheep cause shear madness. Imagine Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean as a mischievous sheep who wordlessly leads his flock into all manner of slapstick ...
Battle in Seattle.(Video recording review)
Feb 09, 2009; ... By Buzz McClain SCREEN MEDIA/UNIVERSAL Street: March 10 Prebook: Feb. 10 > Stars Theron, Harrelson and Liotta ignite this based-on-fact WTO protest clash. In his writing/directorial debut, Stuart Townsend explores the issues that ...
I've Loved You So Long.(Video recording review)
Feb 09, 2009; ... By Irv Slifkin SONY Street: March 3 Prebook: NOW > Potent French drama with Brit actress Scott-Thomas in a powerhouse performance. Highlighted by a force-of-nature leading turn by Kristin Scott-Thomas (speaking French, no less), ...
The Jill and Tony Curtis Story.(Video recording review)
Feb 09, 2009; ... By Buzz McClain SKD USA/KOCH Street: March 10 Prebook: Feb. 10 > Legendary star gives the spotlight to his wife's horse rescue work. In this feature-length documentary, legendary movie star Tony Curtis' wife Jill shows a remarkably ...
Weapons.(Video recording review)
Feb 09, 2009; ... By Irv Slifkin LIONSGATE Street: March 2 Prebook: now > Powerful and off-putting look at urban violence. Shown at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, this brooding effort from Adam Bhala Lough takes a Crash -like approach to the subject ...
Changeling Blu-ray.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Samantha Clark Universal Street: Feb. 17 Prebook: now > Historic features add to attraction of Oscar nominee on Blu-ray. Clint Eastwood's disturbing 2008 feature might not be the best visual example of Blu-ray's high-definition ...
Otto; or Up With Dead People.
Feb 09, 2009 ... By Ed Grant STRAND Street: Feb. 10 Prebook: now > Gay Teutonic zombies band together in this cult horror spoof. Shaun of the Dead still stands as the ultimate zombie movie send-up, but this unusual hybrid from cult Canadian filmmaker ...