Video entertainment holds its own in the first quarter of 2012

30th April 2012: Despite the British economy falling back into recession, the video entertainment market remained steady in the first quarter of 2012, according to the British Video Association’s announcement today.

There was strong retail demand for Blu-ray Discs, which grew in volume by almost 18% and 3.5 million discs sold in the first quarter. This was accompanied by a 15% rise in value to £45.2 million which, combined with DVD sales, meant that physical discs accounted for 70% of total video market value and remain the most popular way for viewers to access video entertainment. Demand for digital video continues to rise, with sales increasing more than 14% to £72.8 million. Overall the total value of consumer spending on video entertainment slipped 3%.

Lavinia Carey, Director General of the BVA said: “The Q1 figures show that the video industry is holding its own against a tough economic background. Given the pinch on the consumer purse, illustrated by the 4% drop in ASDA’s income tracker, it is heartening to see a 3.1% increase in the average weight of disc purchase, even though inflation remains relatively high. The rise in digital and Blu-ray sales is where we would hope to see growth and it is encouraging that our audience is increasingly enjoying viewing content on a range of formats, alongside the nation’s traditional favourite – the physical DVD.”

~Ends~

Notes to Editors
The top 10 video titles of Q1 were:
Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part 1
Mrs Brown’s Boys - Series One
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Johnny English Reborn
Bridesmaids
Harry Potter & Deathly Hallows - 2
Adventures of TinTin - The Secret Of The Unicorn
One Day
Puss In Boots
Cowboys & Aliens
For more information, please contact Stephanie Blott or Matt Willey on 020 7618 9116 or bva@luther.co.uk.

About the BVA
The British Video Association exists to champion video entertainment in all its forms, from packaged media such as DVD and Blu-ray Discs through to digital services available on demand, to rent or to own on portable devices and for home viewing.

The proliferation of content delivery channels, now with more than 40 digital video services, is constantly increasing consumer choice and the video industry releases about 8,000 titles a year, on which consumers spent over £2.3 billion in 2011. It is the single most valuable part of the audiovisual sector in terms of generating returns on investment for production.
The BVA’s members include film and television companies and independent labels who produce, license and distribute pre-recorded video entertainment, covering film, sport & fitness, music, TV, children’s and special interest programming. Its members account for some 90% of the sector.
Visit www.bva.org.uk