This represents a 21 percent increase over the same period last year, bringing the total number of units shipped since the launch of the DVD format to more than 4.3 billion discs. There are now morethan 43,000 DVD titles available to consumers across a wide variety of genres.

“We are pleased to see new DVD owners so enthusiastic about their players and starting a DVD library,” said Bob Chapek, president, DEG and president, Buena Vista Home Entertainment. “In fact, such strong player sales in the holiday season have enabled the entertainment industry to essentially create a new ‘fifth quarter’ to continue the momentum from the fourth quarter and market titles to these new enthusiasts.” NORTH AMERICAN DVD-VIDEO SOFTWARE SHIPMENTS BY QUARTER (in millions)

Figures compiled by Kaplan, Swicker & Simha on behalf of DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group

DVD PLAYERS IN MORE THAN 73 MILLION U.S. HOMES

According to figures compiled by the DEG based on data from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), retailers and manufacturers, more than seven and a half million DVD players were sold to consumers in the U.S. in the first three months of 2005, a 13 percent increase over the same period last year.

Since launch, more than 135 million DVD players, including set-top and portable DVD players, DVD recorders, Home-Theater-in-a-Box systems, TV/DVD and DVD/VCR combination players, have sold to consumers, bringing the number of DVD households to 73 million (adjusting for households with more than one player). Approximately 46 percent of DVD owners have more than one player.

The DEG estimates that more than 80 percent of U.S. households will have at least one DVD player by the end of this year. U.S. DVD HARDWARE SALES BY QUARTER (in millions)

Includes set-top and portable DVD players, Home-Theater-in-a-Box systems, TV/DVD and DVD/VCR combination players