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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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Prefect
Points: 334
~hp Roxx~ says:
Why are they doing that??i think it's quite silly!!
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 8:57 AM EST
Witch
Points: 510
Jealz says:
That's sad. I'm glad I finnally bought the movies (Ididn't buy them before because they were always on TV).
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 9:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 520
~*Once Upon A Time*~ says:
They prob won't be gone forever. Once OotP comes out on DVD they will put them all back up. Or at least I think...
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 9:40 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
Well I only have the last two on DVD, so I guess I will be one of their marketing victims... Of course it would be totally worth it if WB comes out with an extended version like LOTR!! I'm not holding my breath though...
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 9:48 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 874
Silly Dragon says:
So it's a moratorium...Well by know many people must have it, I guess they have planned to sell them again in a few years, when fans will feel 'deprived', and release collector sets, or HD-DVDs or anything such. They must have studied the strategy quite carefully, I doubt they would put off shelves DVDs that have broken sales ever since they were released. It's quite a shame however, it's always fine to buy a Potter DVD.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 10:21 AM EST
Weird Sisters Bassist
Points: 8448
Paper Cut says:
Ha ha it' a bit ridiculous. But it will get everyone riled up and wanting to buy them if they release them again.
I'm a bit annoyed with all this HD stuff. When did vides stop being something just to watch and enjoy, never mind the quality. Now it's all High Def stuff, has to be widescreen with a million pixels per square millimetre.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 10:30 AM EST
Insufferable Know-it-all
Points: 5042
Happy Hedwig says:
That's terrible! They can't do that! What if our DVD gets scratched or broken? We wouldn't be able to replace it! That's completely unfair! Completely! I'm against it.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 10:52 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1789
Veela~Girl says:
Ha ha, ok has anyone here seen the all cartoon version of Saturday Night Live! (stalk me if you did!) Anyways they did an absolutely hilarious series of sketches on "locking videos away in the Disney vault" (right next to Walt Disney's cryogenically frozen head)! The ploy seems over the top but I know from my younger years that it works! I was always begging mom to get me the latest Disney movies before it was 'locked away forever!!!' I agree that this is likely the route WB is trying to go over this (sadly) HP-less Christmas season.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:09 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1268
SiriusBlackComesBack says:
Bummer, I'm getting ready to get move into my own house and I don't have my own copies. Looks like I'll have to go shopping for the Potter movies.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:10 AM EST
Princess of Anime
Points: 7530
Allenoray Mozart says:
I suppose this means we all should be extra careful with the HP DVDs we do have. I wish they wouldn't do that though, I don't see the point. ><
I wonder if they'll be avaiable via internet?
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:13 AM EST
Witch
Points: 917
hermioneadmirer says:
That is just insane. I mean it sucks for the people who don't have the movie, and our yet, to be obessed with it.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:15 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 480
mrsharrypotter4500 says:
Thats smart but I bet all the people who actually want them allready have them!
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:16 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 58
muggle-born26 says:
I think she should not keep us waiting but at least give us a page to read to be prepared about it.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:20 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 732
kewlguyhere says:
WOw!
So Potter shall be unaavailable after December!
ANd Will come back on Blu-RAy!
That will nessitate having a blu ray driver!
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:26 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1106
Melissa MISERY says:
Okay.. What is the point?? That is the most stupid thing I've ever heard.. Harry Potter is so popular now, it is one of the most topselling DVDs! Why would they take them off the shelves?? Oh my God.. That is really retarded..
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:43 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
Wow, I don't like taht they're doing that. There are still some people out there in the world who have not yet gotten to see the movies, and perhaps if they saw the movies, they would find interest in the books. I wonder if they are just taking them in to perhaps change bits of them, or just to, like Disney, promote publicity when they next release them. It could also be taht since OotP is supposed to be out July 13 of 2007, maybe they want everybody to stock up on it. That wouldn't make sense though, I mean, why would they take the rest off of the shelves?
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:45 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4279
Juicybit says:
This is incredibly stupid. Why should not they be available? It's maddening that something like this can happen in the 21st century with all the possibilities we have. Locking away movies to stimulate publicity... honestly... Jo, please say something against this!
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:48 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
Padfoots Escape says:
I think thats really stupid of them, why would they want to take them off? And what if you do need a replacement?
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 11:55 AM EST
Squib
Points: 142
Marry Me Dan! says:
whew...glad I bought two copies of each
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 12:12 PM EST
Student
Points: 254
~grindylow~ says:
Why would they do that? People are still crazy for Harry Potter, why would they want to take them off the shelves? I hope mine don't get ruined...
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 12:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 718
Hedwig,express says:
I still have to by potter 1,2,and 4. I better get going.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 1:29 PM EST
The Faerie Queene
Points: 3277
merri maven says:
Good move by Warner Brothers. I'm pretty sure everybody has seen HP at the movies or on DVD. But in the small chance that anyone does not have a DVD copy of the movies, this will be a great chance for WB to convince these people to buy the HP DVDs.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 1:55 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1069
NYmphTonks says:
Well, I guess it's a good thing I own those films already, isn't it?! I was wondering if they'd pull something like that! Loads of people that want to own the films in the first place probably already have them!!
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 2:30 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
Better get a blue-ray-player i say.......
Blue ray is so much better than HD.
But then again, that was what was said about Beta-max over VHS, and VHS won,,,, so go figure.
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 2:51 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 327
azn_gurl_seeker13 says:
What??? thats sucks.. they shouldn't do that...
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 3:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1786
sis <3 says:
I'm not sure I understand this...
They take them off shelves beacause?
Well I'm just glad I've bought all 4!
-Christina
Posted Jul 26, 2006 at 3:13 PM EST
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