xbiz world
xbiz premiere

Blockbuster Customers Trending Toward Blu-ray DVD

DALLAS — Video rental chain Blockbuster Inc. said on Monday that more of their customers prefer Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray DVD format to rival format HD DVD, and it will put Blu-ray discs into 1,700 of its 8,000 stores worldwide.

Blu-ray rentals are "significantly outpacing HD DVD rentals," the company said in a statement. The company will continue to offer both Blu-ray and HD-DVD titles through its online rental service, and in some 250 brick-and-mortar stores.

This follows the statement last week by Toshiba lowering their expected 2007 North American HD DVD player sales-target from 1.8 million units to 1 million.

Blu-ray's high-definition digital technology offers crisper pictures and more room for special features than current DVDs. HD DVD offers lower storage capacity than Blu-ray, but claims cheaper production of players, burners and discs. Consumers seem to be taking a wait-and-see attitude regarding the two formats.

HD DVD discs are still available at retailers including Best Buy, Amazon and Wal-Mart Stores. Rental companies including Movie Gallery Inc. and Netflix Inc. also offer both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Sony's PlayStation 3 video-game console comes with a built-in Blu-ray player, raising the sales and profile of the Blu-ray format. Sony shipped 5.5 million PS3s and sold 3.6 million in Sony's fiscal year that ended in March.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Parliamentary Group Calls for Outlawing Cam Platforms

The U.K. Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Commercial Sexual Exploitation has published a report in which it calls for banning adult livestreaming platforms.

Ofcom Escalates Sun Social, Superb Convert Investigations

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has ramped up its ongoing Online Safety Act (OSA) compliance investigations into PlayVids/PeekVids operator Sun Social Media and PimpBunny operator Superb Convert.

Centrobill Rolls Out Apple Pay, Google Pay Options

Centrobill has added Apple Pay and Google Pay options for merchants.

Judge Preliminarily Approves Pornhub Class Action Settlement

A U.S. District Court judge on Monday granted preliminary approval to a settlement between Aylo and the plaintiffs in two class-action lawsuits over allegations that former Pornhub parent company MindGeek knowingly allowed and profited from CSAM on its sites.

Roald Riepen Steps Down as CEO of IMC

Roald Riepen, CEO of International Media Company (IMC), is stepping down.

Ofcom Sets Timeline for Enforcing 'Extreme' Content Rules

Before U.K. media regulator Ofcom begins enforcing new laws criminalizing certain “extreme” adult content online, it will first hold a consultation in early 2027, and then provide updated guidance for sites and platforms.

FSC Publishes Guidance on New UK Pornography Laws

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published information for its members on the United Kingdom's recently passed pornography laws, which take effect next week.

Brazil Issues Guide to Digital Safety Compliance

Brazil’s National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) published on Wednesday a new guide outlining online providers’ child-protection responsibilities under the Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents (Digital ECA), which requires adult websites to age-verify users located in Brazil.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for August, September

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters, by country, for August and September.

2027 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees Announced for Adult Entertainment Edition

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the adult entertainment industry edition of the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Friday, Jan. 8, in conjunction with the XBIZ 2027 event series.

Show More