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Thomas K. Arnold

March 16, 2009
Bishop Tells It Like It Is

March 15, 2009
Box Office Bodes Well

I just finished covering the weekend's box office for USA Today.

Interesting — the box office is up 12% in revenue and 15% in attendance this year, and distributors are saying the audience for movies is broadening beyond their core demographic. Hopefully this will begin translating to our business.

You can read my story here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-03-15-box-office_N.htm

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March 13, 2009
Blu Skies?

I was as encouraged as all of us were by that recent Futuresource study that predicted Blu-ray Disc sales in the United States would nearly quadruple this year to 80 million units, up from 24 million units in calendar 2008. And I don’t for a minute question the validity of those findings—especially not after my recent ski trip with my two older sons, Justin and Conner. But first, let me confess: For years, I have been using the fact that I get free DVDs to my advantage. I’ve saved a fortune on birthday gifts for my kids’ friends, and sometimes a DVD or two can bring down the price of everything from a car repair to my wife’s appointment with her hair stylist. So the night before we were to hit the slopes in Big Bear, California, we went down to the local ski rental shop and I casually asked the clerk if I could get a better deal if I sent him some DVDs. His response: “You wouldn’t happen to have Blu-ray, would you? I just got a player and really don’t watch anything else.” This is a 23-year-old kid, mind you, in a remote mountain town. I sent him a handful of spare discs as soon as I got back.

To view additional postings, visit the homepage for TK’s Take.

March 13, 2009
CNN Out of the Money on Video Rental Story

I’m still scratching my head about that recent CNNMoney story about the malaise of independent video rental stores. The essence of the story is that while Blockbuster may be struggling, the same “forces” that hurt the rental giant “may kill off the entire industry.” And what, pray tell, are these “forces?” “Mail-order DVDs and streaming online video,” according to author Maggie Overfelt. Oh, Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. For starters, streaming online video isn’t killing anything off, and mail-order DVDs are simply another aspect of the same industry you’re saying is on the verge of getting killed off, namely, the video rental industry. It’s like looking at the auto industry in the 1980s and saying the automobile is doomed because people are buying Japanese cars instead of American cars, and then throwing in public transportation as the final nail in the auto industry’s coffin. Wrong, wrong, wrong. And if business is down at the handful of rental stores you’ve surveyed, guess what—it’s the economy, stupid! Virtually EVERY business is off—and that isn’t necessarily an indictment of that particular business model, but, rather, a reflection of the times. The fact is, independent rental stores have been suffering for a good decade and a half, ever since Blockbuster and a handful other national chains first start encroaching on their turf. But the video rental habit appears to be doing surprisingly well, in a world where everyone is talking about an imminent transition to digital downloading—everyone, that is, except consumers, who continue to buy and rental DVDs and, increasingly, Blu-ray Discs.

To view additional postings, visit the homepage for TK’s Take.

March 13, 2009
I'm a Blogger Now!

Yeah, it’s me. I’ve been drafted into doing this blog—by me, myself and I—because there’s so much happening in our home entertainment business that I can’t begin to write about it all in lengthy, well-researched news stories and thoughtful, analytical commentaries. Much of what happens I want to tell you about NOW. I have opinions of things that need to come out NOW. And quite honestly, thanks to Facebook and Twitter, I have become quite accustomed to living much of my life on the computer, communicating to folks in blog fashion. You might not always like what you read, you might disagree with some of my opinions, and you might have tidbits or suggestions you’d like to pass along. More power to you—and please let me know at tarnold@questex.com. I plan on updating my blog once, twice a day, whenever the spirit moves me, so please check back often. Consider this my own running commentary on the $22 billion home entertainment industry, from DVDs and Blu-ray Discs to digital copies, digital downloads and however else someone will think of to bring entertainment to you.

To view additional postings, visit the homepage for TK’s Take.

Insights from the "voice of the home entertainment industry." Thomas K. Arnold gives the inside scoop on entertainment news, DVD, Blu-ray releases, and what's happening at the key studios and retailers.