Family Movies Break Through To Top DVD Video Chart
According to recent software sales data complied by the DVD Video Group and VideoScan, family films have risen to the top of DVD-Video sales charts demonstrating a broadening use of the format and a widening audience. DVD-Video titles ""Pleasantville"" (New Line Home Video), ""Mighty Joe Young"" (Buena Vista Home Entertainment), ""Rugrats"" (Paramount Home Video) and ""Antz"" (DreamWorks Home Entertainment have clung to the sales charts over the last few weeks, comprising more than 25 percent of the top 15 selling titles during those weeks. Other non-action films such as ""Meet Joe Black"" (Universal Studios Home Video), which has appeared at #1 in its first two weeks since release, ""Practical Magic"" (Warner Home Video), ""Ever After"" (Paramount Home Video) and ""Home Fries"" (Warner Home Video) are also among the top 20. All the above mention titles are reviewed in the upcoming Issue 32 of Widescreen Review. ""Clearly, DVD-Video has hit the mainstream market as is seen in the increased sales for family titles,"" said Paul Culberg, Executive Vice President, Columbia TriStar Home Video and President, DVD Video Group. ""It is wonderful that households are enjoying DVD-Video with the whole family."" Classics have also made a strong showing, with the 1939 drama ""Gone With The Wind"" (MGM Home Entertainment) continuing to do well in sales. Currently it stands as the #13 selling release to date. Recently, Charlton Hestonís classic ""Ten Commandments"" (Paramount Home Video) also made a seasonal showing in the top 20 selling titles for two weeks (March 29-April 11, 1999). The charts are based on sales data collected by VideoScan from retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, Blockbuster, Circuit City, Musicland, Tower Records and more, but does not include small specialty stores and mass merchants such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart. VideoScanís computerized point-of-sale tracking system currently collects data from more than 16,000 retail locations. The charts are available weekly on the DVD Video Groupís Website (www.dvdvideogroup.com). For more information, consumers can reach the DVD Video Group at 323 845 0160. For more information contact Glen Sakata at 408 735 1492.