Retail sales up in February but caution remains

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Like-for-like retail sales in the United Kingdom in February were up year-on-year by 2.2% with like-for-like non-food sales, which had suffered in January’s bad weather, up by 1.9%, according to the latest British Retail Consortium report.

Virgin Media to add high definition channels

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Virgin Media said it will add E4’s high definition channel exclusively to its digital television platform in April with Film4 HD to follow exclusively in the summer.

HMV sets trial of disc vending machines

Monday, March 8, 2010

HMV is testing 11 “Shop in a Box” entertainment vending machines selling DVDs and Blu-ray discs and a small selection of PS3 games at train stations in London and some of Vue cinemas including the flagship theatre in London’s Leicester Square.

‘Alice’ proves a winner in shortened window

Monday, March 8, 2010

Despite fears that a shortened theatrical window for “Alice in Wonderland” before its DVD and Blu-ray Disc release would hurt box office takings, the Walt Disney feature has taken an estimated $210.3 million at the worldwide box office – $116.3 million in North America and $94 million in 40 territories internationally, including $16.8 million in the UK.

BVA’s Blu-ray campaign pays off: report

Monday, March 8, 2010

The British Video Association’s Q4 2009 television advertising campaign “What are you waiting for?” aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of Blu-ray high definition in the run-up to Christmas made “a significant difference” to people’s perceptions and attitudes towards the format, new research from Kantar Worldpanel showed.

3D in the home gains momentum: report

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Some 63% of consumers who have seen films in 3D at the cinema loved the experience so much they want to recreate it in their living rooms, according to Kantar Worldpanel research commissioned by the BVA.

Best Buy in the US revamps digital download service

Friday, March 5, 2010

US big-box retailer Best Buy has indicated it will follow Wal-mart and revamp its digital download service with the name Blue Sky Video, which it said was “coming out soon”.

BBC Worldwide completes 2entertain buyout

Thursday, March 4, 2010

BBC Worldwide said today that it has agreed to pay £17 million for the 40% stake it does not own in its joint venture distribution entity 2entertain.