December 2006
Marketing the hi-def experience in Europe
20 Tables & Charts /
46 pages
Available formats: Print & PDF
This report outlines the state of play within the emerging hi-def video market in Europe in the run up to Christmas 2006, presenting the balance of power between the two next generation hi-def video formats, HD DVD and Blu-ray.
The report focuses on the launch strategies implemented by the backers of the two hi-def formats in Europe by consumer electronics manufacturers, game console developers and studios and assesses the immediate impact of these on retailers and consumers at the beginning of the hi-def video market.
Some of the key questions that the report answers include: - How are the two formats addressing the unique challenge of the European market?
- How is the balance of power shaping up in Europe?
- What impact has the race to market had on the respective hardware and software launches?
- Are retailers getting the information they need to make informed decisions?
- How will the formats be positioned to consumers?
- If the race is on, how far have we got?
Included in the report:- Break down of supporters for each format among hardware manufacturers and content providers.
- The announced hardware release schedules and pricing for Europe.
- Hardware SRP price comparison between the formats and with the US.
- Title release slate and launch pricing for both HD DVD and Blu-ray.
- Broad strategic plans for the formats from content providers.
- Retailer responses to the hi-def challenge.
- Outlook for HD DVD in Europe.
- Outlook for Blu-ray in Europe.
Key findings:- Confusion surrounding the launch of the hi-def formats in Europe.
- Marketing activity focuses on retailers.
- The postponement of the format war to 2007.
- The importance of content to the development of hi-def.
Table of contents
The marketing of hi-def in EuropeLaunches surrounded by confusion
Race to market led to piecemeal approach
Formats effectively missed Christmas 2006
Focus now on retail, not consumers- Where does HD DVD stand now?
Timing
Title slate- Where does Blu-ray Disc stand now?
Timing
Title slate- What do consumers think?
- Where does European hi-def video stand now?
Hi-def hardware in Europe- Hardware balance of power
Consumer electronics companies
Computer companies
Games companies
Costs and obstaclesBlu-ray Disc
Sony
Samsung
Panasonic
Philips
Other BD supporters
HD DVD
Toshiba
Microsoft
Thomson
Promotional groups
Blu-ray Disc Association
HD DVD Promotional Group
Format agnostic groups
Key issues
HDTV penetration and awareness
Pricing
Region coding
Blu-ray
HD DVD
Impact of PS3
The software story- Software balance of power
Hollywood majors
Sony Pictures
Twentieth Century-Fox
Buena Vista
MGM
Warner Home Video
Paramount
Universal Pictures
Independents- Release strategies and slates
- Key issues
Strategic approach
Impact of the PS3 delay
The image constraint token issue
Region coding
Retailing HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc- Strategic placement
- Retailer roles
Consumer electronics retailers
Entertainment specialists
Internet retailers
Mass merchants
RentalConsumer electronics retailers
Entertainment specialists
Internet retailers- Pricing
- Future developments
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