10/01/2011

The UK video entertainment market continues to remain robust with consumers spending £2.6bn on it in 2010, according to figures released by the British Video Association (BVA). This is about the same amount as spent in 2009.

Retail DVD was the driver in the sector, accounting for 73% of sales. Blu-ray discs garnered an 8.1% market share and digital video transactions such as downloads represented 11%, with rentals accounting for the rest. Blu-ray sales increased 55% from 2009, selling 13 million units.

BVA Director General Lavinia Carey said, “Video entertainment is enjoyed by millions of people and our figures show that it remains hugely popular. People now have many more ways to access video and the growing incidence of digital purchases and viewing, although still new, shows that our industry is making progress in embracing technology and using it to respond to changing habits in the digital environment.”

“We of course continue to faces challenges. Last year we had to contend with two periods of severe weather conditions that hampered people’s shopping and deliveries, a football world cup and continued online copyright theft, but – as an industry that is often the target of doom mongers – to maintain year-on-year sales value is quite an achievement in a tough retail market. This demonstrates the enduring enjoyment provided by the video industry and we anticipate the greater pleasure 3D Blu-ray will bring in 2011,” she added.