DEG: Blu-ray Spending Up 5% in 2013

Earlier today, the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG), a Los Angeles-based, industry funded nonprofit corporation that advocates and promotes the many consumer benefits associated with various entertainment products, including both physical and digital media on a variety of platforms, announced that Blu-ray spending rose 5% in 2013.

According to the report issued by the DEG, consumer spending also topped $18 billion. The amount represents total growth of nearly 1% for the entire home entertainment market.

Total disc sales (DVD and Blu-ray) for the year generated $7.78 billion. The amount represents a decline of approximately 8% from 2012. However, market experts attribute the decline in spending to the aggressive discounting introduced by retailers during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Overall spending on digital content rose 17% in 2013. Electronic sell-through, now branded as Digital HD, was up 50%, generating $1 billion for the first time.

In 2013, the number of Blu-ray homes continued to grow, with total household penetration of all Blu-ray-compatible devices (including BD set-tops PS3s, and HTiBs) now at more than 72 million U.S. homes.