Streaming is Killing the DVD Star

LINK

Link to December 13 CNET News The Digital Home post, "Study: Streaming is killing off DVDs".

Excerpt: The importance of DVDs to the entertainment industry will decline significantly over the next few years, predicts a study from research firm In-Stat.

Physical disc sales, which includes both DVDs and Blu-ray discs, are expected to decline by $4.6 billion between 2009 and 2014, In-Stat said today. Over that period, DVD sales are expected to plummet. At the same time, Blu-ray sales are expected to climb--but not enough to make up for the decline in DVDs.

In place of physical discs, streaming content and digital downloads are quickly gaining steam. In-Stat said that the video-download and streaming revenue is expected to grow from the $2.3 billion it generates now to $6.3 billion "within five years."

"Video disc rentals will continue their significant decline," In-Stat principal analyst Keith Nissen said in a statement. "The convenience and utility of the online offerings are simply too compelling."

LINK
Related articles:
"Media is not a zero-sum game", part 2.  (11/26/2010)
Big growth for online streaming video.  (9/9/2010)

Netflix looks into the future, sees fewer red mailers.  (8/11/2010)