Rental stores push for simultanious release of VHS and DVD..........
newline.com
STUDIOS PRESSED TO ADOPT VHS MARKETING PRACTICES TO DVD
(by Betsy Scala and Wendy Wilson)
As DVD software makes its way into more storefronts, distributors and retailers are lobbying studios to apply traditional VHS marketing and distribution practices to the new format. At the recent National Association of Video Distributors [NAVD] annual conference, most wholesalers asked studios to make all new releases available simultaneously on VHS and DVD. Among their other requests were more-generous returns privileges and bigger profit margins.
The VSDA's Retail Advisory Committee at a recent meeting with suppliers also asked for day-and-date VHS and DVD releases. Many new titles already have simultaneous release. Spokesmen for Warner Home Video and Universal Studios Home Video, for instance, recently confirmed that it is their policy. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, however, releases some titles on DVD 30 to 60 days after VHS release because of piracy concerns, said Mitch Koch, general manager for North America.
However, "it does me absolutely no good to get a DVD three to four weeks after the video street date unless there's something really special about it," said Stacey Robillard, buyer for 36-store Planet Video, based in Milwaukee. John Knapp, owner of 15-store Knapp Video, Newton, Mass., needs to see more evidence of consistent day-and-date release of DVD and VHS before increasing his commitment to DVD rental, now offered in four of his stores. |
