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Belgium: 2014 home entertainment digital revenues top physical media sales
2014 marks the first time in the Belgian video entertainment market when revenues generated by digital services VOD, SVOD and Electronic Sell-Through (EST) surpassed those from physical media - DVD and Blu-ray discs.
According to figures from the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA), 2014 digital sales and rentals reached €130 million, a 16% increase over 2013. The arrival of Netflix and Play More services have given a boost to the digital offer in Belgium.
In contrast, DVD sales fell 21% to €95.7 million and Blu-ray, that never gain momentum in this market, recorded sales of €19.7 million, a drop of nearly 15%.
Belgians bought 7.62 million DVDs and 1.28 million Blu-ray discs - a drop of 24% and 10.4%, respectively, over 2013. Such a fall is attributable to the bankruptcy and closure of retail chain Free Record Shop chain and distributor Multi Media Services (MMS).
Despite the growth of VOD and EST the overall video market is slowly contracting - down 4.3% during 2013 to €245.4 million. With sales of €115.4 million, the physical segment still account for 47% of total revenues.
Story filed 03.05.15
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