US home entertainment spending hits $18BN in 2015


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Michelle Clancy

| 08 January 2016




Even though yearly growth was fairly flat, consumer spending on home video entertainment in the US reached $18 billion in 2015, according to the Digital Entertainment Group.



The research found that some segments did better than others, especially the retail side of things. Sales of Blu-ray discs actually rose 8% in the fourth quarter.

“Led by a strong slate and 8% growth in Blu-ray disc sales, the industry saw its best year-over-year physical retail performance since early 2014,” the group said. “The strength of the premium experience bodes well for the introduction of Ultra HD Blu-ray in 2016.”

Blu-ray playback devices (including set-top boxes and game consoles) are in 104 million US households, and consumer sales of 4K/Ultra HD TVs increased 287% in the fourth quarter of 2015, bringing household penetration to more than five million US households.

The 2015 Home Entertainment Report, which was compiled by DEG members, tracks sources and retail input. The report includes physical disc sales and rentals, video-on-demand (VOD) and digital sell-through. Subscription video on demand (SVOD) spending was up 22% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to 2014, and up 25% in 2015 from 2014; overall electronic sell-through (EST) spending rose 17% in the fourth quarter versus the year-ago quarter and was up 18% for the year. Out of that, UltraViolet accounts grew by almost 20% in 2015 to hit more than 25 million, with 165 million movies and television shows in UltraViolet libraries.