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JULY 25, 2006 at 3:46 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Warner Bros. has confirmed to HPANA that it plans to pull all of the first four Harry Potter DVDs off store shelves by early 2007, with no announced plans for their return.
Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban will become unavailable after December 29, 2006. Goblet of Fire will follow suit on February 9, 2007.
First reported by Home Media Retailing Magazine
, the move may indicate WB's interest in stoking sales this non-Potter holiday season, or preparing for newer editions of the films on HD-DVD or Blu-Ray technology.
Called a "moratorium," the practice is commonplace in the home video industry. The most notable instigator is Disney, which often locks away movies in their "vault" to stimulate sales and publicity.
Thanks to Matthew for the tip.
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Witch
Points: 869
kat_snowyowl says:
Frankly, I'm not that surprised. I was surprised that PS and COS were still on sale when I purchased GOF. The sales have to be dropping significantly, don't they?
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 8:54 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 354
Ron&Hermione-forever says:
I can't believe their going to take them off the shelves. I don't understand why they are? I have them all, but it just seams weird, you think they would make more money if they kept them on the shelves.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:02 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2401
tonks 27 says:
Well, i guess it's a good thing that i already have all four dvds! kinda rude to pull them all off the shelves, but i can understand "a business opportunity" (dirty little mundungus's!).
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:03 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
well i guess people better get the movies while they are out!
i already have all 4 anyways. and i dont see why people wouldnt have them already as well?
and i dont see why they are taking them off the shelves to begin with? there are still gonna be people out there who will want to buy the movies DUH.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 503
Livian Silver says:
I can understand them pulling them off the shelves WHEN the new versions on HD come out, but not before. I guess all dvds on the market will eventually have to be replaced.
I just hope the player that becomes the most popular of the two options is the one that is backwards compatable and will play all the colllections of those who are not rich and cannot replace our dvd collections.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 536
MWbashfulAR says:
As the thing said, it's just like Disney. And Disney is basically the only company who does rubbish like this. For us fans of the films, at least we have the DVDs. What I am worried about when it comes time for Films 5, 6, 7 to be released on DVD, and theoretically, OotP will be potentially December-ish 2007 given the speed of GoF, is whether or not the new technology, the HD-DVD or the Blue-Ray, will play on old stuff such as my Xbox (and not the 360 mind you) or any regular DVD player.
When DVD players came out, it took a decent two to three years before everyone started to buy them and about four or so before Blockbuster started to convert their stores over to entirely DVD. Now, you can't go to a Blockbuster that still carries full stocks of VHS, and many new films aren't released on VHS at all. I am just worried that WB will allow old players to become obsolete and will require the fans of HP to purchase new players to keep up with their DVDs. I'll be monstrously peeved if I have to buy some expensive player to get ONE movie, even if it is OotP.
I doubt HD-DVD will be some major thing. I don't know a lot of people who have major flat-screen panel televisions. People keep their dang TVs for nearly 10+ years sometimes. Especially if they're the brand-new types, it's an investment. And just so they can have some stupid picture that is crisper in the corners where you're NOT looking! All it does is cause extra pains when your players don't play right anymore. My mother has a TV that won't play stupid VHS tapes right it's so old. It's ready to go any day! Luckily I have a better TV.
I'm just panicky about HBP and the day that's released because I LOOOOOVVVEEEDDD that book and I will LOOOVVVEEE the movie (AS LONG AS IT IS DONE RIGHT).
But yes, WB doing this is stupid and anal, but when they finally do bring those titles back out, whether that be with the release of OotP on DVD or many years from now, there will be a big audience for it just like when the Disney DVDs are released.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:35 PM EST
Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10058
American Harry Potter says:
The Harry Potter Vault. That's interesting. He he he. They will be locked away FOREVER! Ha ha ha ha. Well, okay, that's great.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1255
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Good thing I have them all already. Will they continue to do that with the last three films??? I'm not exactly sure I like that idea too much, but hey, if that's what they're going to do, I can't stop them.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 657
krissiebear says:
Screw that. I don't own ANY of the movies because right now I don't have the money for them. It's crap that I probably won't have the money for them by Christmas either, so I will never get to have them? That is stupid. Plain stupid.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1147
fire_cookie says:
Ahhh! NO, thats horrible, what will the next generation of Harry Potter fans do!?...am i missing something? this doesn't really make sence?
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 9:47 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4651
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Um.....why? That's retarded....I feel amazing when I go into a store, and I'm feeling grim, and all of a sudden...I see Harry Potter. This is retarded, I'm going to the press about this!
~Drish~
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:03 PM EST
Lupin's Eternal Love
Points: 3088
BlackKatL says:
Well..... At least I have them all ready!! But what about all those who don't?????
They'll probably get super box set edicions with OotP next...
Or maybe they'll wait till movie 7 is out!!
Tammyant - I know how you feel!! I also felt little annoyed when I turned to Squib!!! I tried to add up points soon to turn to student!! =D
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
That is so darn cheep what is the matter with them.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:11 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 887
Magic_Ty4 says:
I guess they are gonna try to boost sales before most movies are changed over to blueray technology.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:18 PM EST
Points: 1
SA's Mogalike says:
It makes perfect sense, from a business perspective, to shelve at least the first three films. They've been out on DVD for several years now, most of the people who wanted them have bought them. Sales for the oldest films especially are probably down, so it doesn't make sense to continue spending money to manufacture the discs. They're not going to be gathering the things up and dropping them into a grinder, but after December and February, you'll be limited to buying existing stock. Taking Goblet out is a little odd, it's only been availiable for a few months, which makes this smell of impending re-release. HD-DVD certainly, but I'll bet there's another DVD release in the works as well, to coincide with either the Phoenix movie or the next book.
I wouldn't worry about HP or any other films going exclusively to HD-DVD just yet. There's too much uncertainty in the battle between HD-DVD and BD for anyone to commit exclusivity; they'd lose half their market. Regular DVDs will, at least, still play in both HD-DVD and BD players, even if the nextgen media won't run in regular DVD players.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:18 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
My question is if there is anyone on this site who doesn't already have a copy of either the DVD or VHS? I figure if we're all lingering here, we have to be pretty good fans and will probably own these already.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:22 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 442
Teacher Herms says:
Wow! I'm glad i have all my HP movies on DVD now. Big Relif!
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:48 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
Draco Malfoy_Lover says:
Well they don't have to just go and pull all of the movies of the shelves!!! i mean yeah when they put them back out people that wanted them before could get them but still!! and it doesn't say that they will or will not be put back on any time soon after or will they i don't know i just think that it is a dumb move i mean HP stuff has got to be a major income for then over the past couple of years or how ever long they have made the movies for and all of the toys and games and all that other stuff!! i think that they have no reason too but if they want to they can but i just think its a dumb thing to do right now!! ;) ;P
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:49 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
I don't like this idea at all!!! I only have the 4th dvd and now I'm gonna have to go out and buy all the rest if they are coming off the shelves!! NOT A GOOD IDEA l0l
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:56 PM EST
Student
Points: 241
medea_smyke says:
Yeah, it does sound like a cheap trick. Oh well. I don't own any of the dvds because I'm waiting for all of the movies to come out in something like a collection. Anyway, even when the dvds are off the selves we can still buy them new and used from places like half.com or amazon. Right?
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:57 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 303
Draco'sGirl2121 says:
Thats a strange idea but I guess thats alright. I can see were they are coming from and why they would want to do that. But it kind of stinks for those people that don't have to money to buy all the movies. Oh well I'm glad i'm not one of those people I'm glad that I have all four movies.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 10:58 PM EST
Squib
Points: 183
reptilia_4life says:
That kinda sucks,because some don't have the movie but it is cool because it will upgraded to HD.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 11:17 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 906
*The*Physical*Being* says:
Oh my gosh, it gotta start buyingn the dvds now!!!!!!!!!
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 11:19 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
Hmmm...that's interesting.
I already have all of them, and luckily I don't have to worry about that, but still, a little odd...
N
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 11:22 PM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
Well i wonder why they would do that? anyway, i have all my dvds.... so i am not worrid about it
peace
love
happiness
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 11:32 PM EST
Magical Me
Points: 8420
Nutty4Harry says:
WHAT?! This seems really silly to me...but I guess if Disney can do it, than Warner Bros wants to do it too. I'd just better make sure I buy myself some "back-up" copies to have if I'm not going to be able to buy them anymore!!
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 12:48 AM EST
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