More from Disney..................
Disney backs DVD, plans holiday rollout
BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 4 (Reuter) - Walt Disney Co's video
distribution unit, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, on Thursday
gave its much needed backing to digital video disks, saying it
will have movies in the new (DVD) format by Christmas.
Disney is the world's largest seller of home videos and,
because of that position, several other major film studios,
makers of consumers electronics and retailers all have been
lobbying hard for Disney's support.
DVD was launched last winter, but Disney withheld its
backing over concern about copy protection issues in the new
digital format.
"We've carefully scrutinized the development of this new
format at every turn, and we're impressed with the strides that
have been made in both technology and security," Michael
Johnson, president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment Worldwide,
said in a statement.
Buena Vista did not disclose how many titles it would
distribute by Christmas or which of its movies would first
become available. No further details were available.
Disney videos claim the top 17 of 25 best-selling home
videos worldwide. "The Lion King" is the top-selling title with
over 30 million units sold to consumers, a spokeswoman said. |
