Labels Singing Praise For DVD-Video
With EMIís recent release of Radioheadís ""Meeting People Is Easy,"" all major music labels have now released DVD music video titles in the U.S. A natural fit for music video, DVD-Video provides music enthusiasts with superior quality picture and PCM or Dolby Digital multichannel audio, as well as a highly interactive experience. Although music videos already account for nearly 10 percent of the 2,900 DVD-Video titles available, industry experts anticipate dramatic growth in this area. New music video releases are expected to double in 1999, and sales should reach more than one million units. ""With all the major music labels on board, we expect to see a greater variety of DVD music video titles than ever before,"" said Emiel N. Petrone, Chairman, DVD Video Group and Executive Vice President, Philips Entertainment Group, a unit of Philips Electronics. ""DVD-Video allows for enormous creative freedom and promotes new opportunities for enthusiasts to interact with their favorite artists."" According to figures complied by the DVD Video Group and VideoScan, The Eaglesí ""Hell Freezes Over"" (Geffen) is the number one selling DVD music video this year. The ever-growing DVD-Video market also has led to the popularity of DVD music video pop titles including Mariah Careyís ""Around The World"" (Columbia), Janet Jacksonís ""Velvet Rope Tour"" (Image) and VH1ís ""Divas Live"" (Epic). Major labels have also found success with re-issued classics including ""The Doorsí Collectors Edition"" (Universal), Fleetwood Macís ""The Dance"" (Warner) and Jimi Hendrixís ""Rainbow Bridge"" (Rhino0. Upcoming releases sure to generate broad consumer interest and large sales include Sony Musicís re-release of Pink Floydís ""The Wall"" (street date: September 28, 1999). In addition, labels are now filming concerts specifically with the enhanced applications of DVD-Video in mind. For instance, Metallicaís ""Cunning Stunts"" (Elektra), the second biggest selling DVD music video title this year, was one of the first DVD music videos to offer viewers multiple camera angles in order to present the concert experience from the performersí various perspectives. Increasingly, other applications are being explored by the music industry as well. Newer titles are beginning to offer more versatility by linking their content with the artistsí Web sites. And labels like Rykodisc are using the format as a means to promote DVD ""singles"" as a platform to highlight their up-and-coming artists. For more information, contact Amy Jo Donner at the DVD Video Group 323 845 0147. The DVD Video Group is a Los Angeles-based, industry-funded nonprofit corporation that exists expressly to promote consumer awareness of the benefits of DVD Video and to provide updated information to the media and the retail trade about DVD-Video players, movies and music videos. For more information, contact Mike Stewart at 785 749 0133 or e-mail at mstewart@martinligan.com.