Transformers Becomes Best-Selling High Definition Title

[AVRevForum.com]

The blockbuster hit from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, TRANSFORMERS, has exploded into the high definition market, with North American sales exceeding 100,000 HD DVDs its first day of release, it was announced today by Paramount Home Entertainment. The title rocketed past previous releases to become the fastest and best-selling day one high definition title on a single format. The biggest original film of the year from director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg, in association with Hasbro, Inc., has sold over 190,000 HD DVDs in its first week making it the top-selling week one release on either high definition format as well as the best-selling HD DVD ever. Additionally, in the first week alone, over 20% of consumers have connected to the unique web-enabled features available on the TRANSFORMERS HD DVD.

The smash hit has also become the year’s top-selling week one DVD with North American sales reaching 8.3 million units since the title’s debut on October 16. TRANSFORMERS is also the best-selling DVD day one for the year with 4.5 million units sold on Tuesday.

“The TRANSFORMERS HD DVD exemplifies the high definition experience and builds tremendous excitement with consumers for the HD DVD format,” said Kelley Avery, president, Worldwide Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures. “Clearly consumers are excited about seeing great films like TRANSFORMERS in high definition and their response to this HD DVD has been extraordinary.”

Earning over $700 million at the global box office, the live-action feature film TRANSFORMERS is the latest success in a worldwide franchise that has emerged as one of the most successful properties in action figure history, spawning numerous television series and comic books and a wealth of toys, games and other licensed merchandise. In 2007, TRANSFORMERS has become one of the hottest properties for boys in a variety of categories, including toys, publishing, video games, apparel and back-to-school. Hasbro’s licensing arm, HPG, has signed more than 250 licensees in 70 countries around the world

The first live-action film based on the enduringly popular “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE”, TRANSFORMERS features the ultimate battle between good and evil, as the
peace-loving AUTOBOTS seek to protect humanity from the evil forces of the DECEPTICONS. The TRANSFORMERS Special Edition HD DVD set provides an incredible experience with an arsenal of bonus material that delivers excitement and fun for long-time fans, as well as for viewers who are new to the TRANSFORMERS universe. In addition to superior picture and sound and a wealth of bonus material presented in high definition, the HD DVD presentation provides consumers with a host of web-enabled features, which are accessible through all connected HD DVD players. The web-enabled features take advantage of technology that allows the studio to present the content in a new way that will continue to roll-out through the rest of the year.

[deacongreg]

This is obviously great news for High Definition in general and Toshiba. This is just another example of wh both TOSHIBA and SONY need to limit its firmware updates. Discs should be ready to play and perform, from the get go, period.
Then, you can really see this format move the way we think it should.

[J.J.]

If I only had a dual player!!!

[deacongreg]

Well, there again is the problem. You either have two, or be out the loop.

[TheMoose]

Not so fast there!
According to deadlinehollywooddaily.com/ Paramount may have been streching the truth a bit!!

"they've claimed to sell 100K in one day and 190K in one week. Exact point of sale data from 3 retailers that make up 62% of the high-def market show sales of 73K units for the week. Being very generous, they could possibly reach 125K-130K, which would barely set a record for HD-DVD.

A studio just can't get away with anything now a days!

[kennyt]

padding number eh..... that's never happened before....