The top news and charts for week ending October 15, 2007 .
High-def adoption 'will roll', albeit slowly, say panelists Warner puts downloadable files on Harry Potter DVD TNR slows growth under new management |
Riding the Surf In Malibu, Calif., on Oct. 6, Sony celebrated its Surf’s Up DVD with (l. to r.) producer Chris Jenkins, Sony’s Jason Allen, character Cody Maverick, voice actor Reed Buck (“Arnold”), director Chris Buck and Sony’s Jerry Schmitz. See more industry photos. |
"FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER" leads Top DVD Renters Chart "FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER" leads Top DVD Sellers Chart "KNOCKED UP" leads Top HD DVD Sellers Chart "FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER" leads Top Blu-ray Sellers Chart |
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SWEETING: Leveling the scale |
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MAGIERA: Teach some, sell more |
TNR slows growth under new management
OCT. 12 | TNR Entertainment has in the last three weeks quietly undergone a senior management change amidst a redirection that will see the DVD rental kiosk operator slow growth and focus on improving execution in its current locations.
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Target debuts next-generation consumer electronics departments
OCT. 11 | FROM TWICE: Target rolled out its latest CE department prototype with the soft opening of 61 new stores around the country.
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Amazon launches high-def micro site
OCT. 11 | FROM TWICE: Amazon.com has launched a dedicated high-definition micro site designed to explain and sell high-definition TV and related products to less tech-savvy consumers.
Full Story
Movie Gallery may file bankruptcy in two weeks
OCT. 11 | A report from Bloomberg cited “people with direct knowledge of company’s plans” as saying Movie Gallery may file bankruptcy within two weeks under an agreement that won’t completely wipe out existing shareholders.
Full Story
High-def sides boast interactivity features
OCT. 12 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—LG Electronics will launch one of the first Blu-ray Disc players boasting picture-in-picture functionality this month. LG’s second-generation dual-format model will handle HD DVD advanced interactivity, as well as comply with ‘full profile specifications’ for Blu-ray players.
Full Story
HD DVD moves forward with recorders, 51GB disc
OCT. 11 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—The DVD Forum is readying launches of HD DVD recorders that burn to standard-definition media and new higher-capacity 51GB disc configurations.
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Program promotes green packaging
OCT. 11 | In the latest industry response to Wal-Mart's environmental sustainability initiatives, International Paper subsidiary Shorewood Packaging has launched a Greenchoice program to help companies meet green packaging goals.
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Quincy Jones III company inks deal with Weinstein/Genius
OCT. 10 | Online exclusive: QD3 Entertainment, the company of Quincy Jones III, son of Quincy Jones, has announced a partnership with Genius Products and The Weinstein Co. for distribution of urban titles.
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Anchor Bay lands Durst’s Banks
OCT. 10 | FROM VARIETY: Anchor Bay Entertainment has picked up theatrical and homevid rights for Fred Durst’s tyro helming effort, The Education of Charlie Banks.
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Warner puts downloadable files on Harry Potter DVD
OCT. 9 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—Warner Home Video will include two downloadable digital files on its Dec. 11 DVD release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The latest Potter installment will allow DVD buyers to download the film to a PC or a portable device, making Warner the first studio to announce that they are marrying physical media and downloads.
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Sony launches Stage 6 film, DVD label
OCT. 9 | FROM VARIETY: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group has launched Stage 6 Films, a label that will acquire and produce films for theatrical and straight-to-DVD release.
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City Lights nabs global warming doc
OCT. 9 | FROM VARIETY: City Lights has turned a little greener with the acquisition of environmentally themed doc Everything's Cool: A Toxic Comedy About Global Warming.
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Harry Potter DVD game bows same day as Phoenix
OCT. 8 | Warner Home Video is bowing its first interactive DVD game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Challenge, on Dec. 11, the same day as the DVD of the latest film installment in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hogwarts Challenge primarily covers the first three Potter films, but scenes from the fourth and fifth movies are also included. All gameplay revolves around the DVD; there are no supplemental boards or pieces required.
Full Story
Charlotte's Web, Firehouse Dog among Kids First! winners
OCT. 7 | Online exclusive: The Coalition for Quality Children’s Media gave out more than 25 Kids First! Best Awards in Malibu, Calif., over the weekend, including five “Best of the Fest” prizes to films that represent the gamut of children’s entertainment. The group also presented the 2007 Kids First! Palmer-Vision Award to Mallory Lewis, daughter of the late children’s entertainer Shari Lewis.
Full Story
High-def sides boast interactivity features
OCT. 12 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—LG Electronics will launch one of the first Blu-ray Disc players boasting picture-in-picture functionality this month. LG’s second-generation dual-format model will handle HD DVD advanced interactivity, as well as comply with ‘full profile specifications’ for Blu-ray players.
Full Story
HD DVD moves forward with recorders, 51GB disc
OCT. 11 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—The DVD Forum is readying launches of HD DVD recorders that burn to standard-definition media and new higher-capacity 51GB disc configurations.
Full Story
Amazon launches high-def micro site
OCT. 11 | FROM TWICE: Amazon.com has launched a dedicated high-definition micro site designed to explain and sell high-definition TV and related products to less tech-savvy consumers.
Full Story
High-def adoption 'will roll', albeit slowly, say panelists
OCT. 10 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—Supporters of the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc high-definition formats locked horns at the HDTV DisplaySearch conference here, but all participants ultimately agreed they were heartened by the fact that consumers are adopting high-def discs, even slowly.
Full Story
Samsung releases Blu-ray firmware ugrade for BD+
OCT. 10 | Samsung owners will be able to upgrade players to increase functionality, including enhanced playability of advanced copyright protection technology BD+.
Full Story
Toshiba says HD DVD set-top players are back in front
OCT. 9 | Online exclusive: UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—HD DVD set-tops have reclaimed their dominance over Blu-ray standalone players, according to weekly NPD Group unit sales figures cited by Toshiba.
Full Story
$399 PlayStation 3 due in November
OCT. 8 | U.S. retailers are excited about a new stripped-down $399 model of the PlayStation 3, but stores are anticipating supply will be tight. Sources say stores are preparing to start selling the new model in early November. Retailers expect the $399 model to have a Blu-ray Disc player but lack other features of the earlier models. Still, sources believe it will make the console finally competitive with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii.
Full Story
Harry Potter DVD game bows same day as Phoenix
OCT. 8 | Warner Home Video is bowing its first interactive DVD game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Challenge, on Dec. 11, the same day as the DVD of the latest film installment in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hogwarts Challenge primarily covers the first three Potter films, but scenes from the fourth and fifth movies are also included. All gameplay revolves around the DVD; there are no supplemental boards or pieces required.
Full Story
Halo 3 makers dump Microsoft
OCT. 8 | FROM VARIETY: Following the huge success of Halo 3, creators Bungie Studios shocked the industry Friday by making a deal with Microsoft to become an independent studio.
Full Story
Warner puts downloadable files on Harry Potter DVD
OCT. 9 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—Warner Home Video will include two downloadable digital files on its Dec. 11 DVD release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The latest Potter installment will allow DVD buyers to download the film to a PC or a portable device, making Warner the first studio to announce that they are marrying physical media and downloads.
Full Story
High-def sides boast interactivity features
OCT. 12 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—LG Electronics will launch one of the first Blu-ray Disc players boasting picture-in-picture functionality this month. LG’s second-generation dual-format model will handle HD DVD advanced interactivity, as well as comply with ‘full profile specifications’ for Blu-ray players.
Full Story
HD DVD moves forward with recorders, 51GB disc
OCT. 11 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—The DVD Forum is readying launches of HD DVD recorders that burn to standard-definition media and new higher-capacity 51GB disc configurations.
Full Story
High-def adoption 'will roll', albeit slowly, say panelists
OCT. 10 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—Supporters of the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc high-definition formats locked horns at the HDTV DisplaySearch conference here, but all participants ultimately agreed they were heartened by the fact that consumers are adopting high-def discs, even slowly.
Full Story
Warner puts downloadable files on Harry Potter DVD
OCT. 9 | UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—Warner Home Video will include two downloadable digital files on its Dec. 11 DVD release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The latest Potter installment will allow DVD buyers to download the film to a PC or a portable device, making Warner the first studio to announce that they are marrying physical media and downloads.
Full Story
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