What is the future of British DVD?
Pretty good. By Christmas we should have at least 200 titles, with a good few high profile, new releases, and then we should get a healthy, continuous flow. Blockbuster Video have started rental trials in some 30 stores. All major studios participating in the US have now announced European support. Disney’s program is particularly exciting, since we are slated to receive some of their classic animation titles (finally the kids can’t wear out Alice In Wonderland and Dumbo!). The US is yet to receive such promises. One possible problem is the fiercomely complex issue of worldwide digital rights to films – for example, True Lies is Fox in America and Germany, but Universal elsewhere in Europe. Some titles could be tied up with small video labels who don’t have the clout to get into DVD.
