01 May Circana Research: Disc Still Spinning, Generated $1.34B in U.S. During Past Year [Media Play News]
STEPHANIE PRANGE
May 1, 2023 | While Netflix may be exiting the disc rental business, research shows consumers are keeping the disc spinning.
The U.S. DVD/Blu-ray Disc industry generated $1.34 billion for the 12 months ending March 2023, with sales reaching 94 million units, according to Circana, formerly The NPD Group and IRI.
Tentpole titles, such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Top Gun: Maverick continue to sell through as consumers show an ongoing interest in owning hard copies, noted Circana. Collector’s Editions are also driving growth, with year-over-year unit sales rising 85% to reach $80 million.
“Granted the market size is not what it was in the mid-2000s when DVD sales reached their peak, but it’s clear that consumer demand for the DVD still exists,” read a Circana press release.
As of March 2023, 26% of U.S. households bought DVDs and Blu-rays in the six months prior, according to Circana. This base of consumers is nearly the same size as it was a year ago; in part being propped up by households with children under age 18 as far more of them — 39% — still buy DVDs and Blu-rays.
“Consumers continue to show interest in the nostalgia and collectability of physical media, notable as Record Store Day just celebrated its 15th anniversary,” said John Buffone, VP and industry advisor at Circana.” It’s no surprise that in the height of streaming video era the DVD still holds a place in consumers’ hearts and on retailers’ shelves.”