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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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Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
Well i guess that it is a good thing that i already have all the movies! I bet they will release them again when the next movie comes out.
Posted Jul 27, 2006 at 10:15 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 314
I'm Rad says:
Yes i've been waiting for this..but the fifth movie won't be out so i guess i'll wait long in the future for ALL of the movies to come out. i have all except 1
Posted Jul 27, 2006 at 10:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
That really sucks. It's a good thing I have all four of them.
Posted Jul 27, 2006 at 10:50 PM EST
Witch
Points: 652
Briea says:
Oh man that is the suckiest of suck i am so going out to buy the copies now I still havent got them all cause it never occured to me they would go.
Posted Jul 28, 2006 at 9:18 AM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
It's too bad the have to take HP dvds off the shelves. I guess it has to be done. Fortunately, I have copies of the first four already.
Posted Jul 28, 2006 at 9:33 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
Well then its a good thing that I already have all the DVD's before they get pulled off shelves. They're probably going to bring them out in box sets or something.
Posted Jul 28, 2006 at 1:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 633
snakeeyes says:
That's crazy! How many people can afford Bluray and HD-DVD? There isn't even a definite plan to release these players in England for a long time yet. I'm sure the films are still selling. This just annoys the customers, who have to search high and low, and end up buying them second hand, which robs the distribution company of money anyway. Stupid.
Posted Jul 28, 2006 at 2:10 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
I Who Lived..To Read says:
That seems like a truly wrteched idea to me! I think it's stupid enough that they don't sell them in VHS form, anymore. Not everyone has DVD players...namely, MYSELF! The world's expansion of technology is a senseless thing, in some cases.
Posted Jul 28, 2006 at 4:51 PM EST
Queen of the Fae
Points: 4613
marauderette says:
So Glad I have all of them on DVD! I think that wby the time movie seven comes out they will bring them all back out and do a huge box set thing, though. That wont be for a few years yet though.
Posted Jul 28, 2006 at 5:24 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1041
*Peeves12 says:
Ahhh! What's the point of that?? And I still don't have a copy of the 4th one yet.
Posted Jul 28, 2006 at 10:54 PM EST
Mrs. Roonil Wazlib
Points: 2492
weasleyskeepingme says:
Cool, a Potter vault. Something like a pensieve...
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 12:35 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
At first I was sad, but I think that was a good plab of WB. Yes, they should kind of follow Disney. I'm excited for the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD versions of it!
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 5:51 AM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
Hmm...my brother kind of ruined my dvds so far, loks like im going to have to buy a few more...damn it. I wish they would pull such stupid sale stunts, wil only encourage people to get illegal coppies of the films.
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 5:56 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
WAT? WAT WILL I DO IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY DVDs? Gotta be extra careful, now
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 7:29 AM EST
Squib
Points: 186
FobeeOne says:
Not at all surprised. Disney has been doing it for years. I;m not sure if will work as well with HP as it has with Disney movies. Disney movies are seen as classic American films with intergenerational appeal. Time has yet to tell us if HP has that kind of appeal. Furthermore, DVDs are virtually indestrutable, unlike VHS cassettes, which wear out easily. People will not need to replace their DVDs (of Disney or HP) like they did their old VHSs, so when the movies are taken out of the vault, not as many people will need them!
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 9:16 AM EST
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7720
dominor says:
Well i currently own the 3rd and 4th movies..I want to buy the 1st one and the 2nd..Just to have the collection..I really don't like them that much..
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 2:14 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4464
PowerGranger says:
Wow...really? It's definitely a great marketing tool, the old "vault" idea, but it's a little bit unfair to new fans and there are MANY every year for the HP series. I wonder how long the DVDs will stay off the shelves.
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 8:40 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
That's not right! I mean come on what if your your great great cousin looses it???? Bad move, WB!
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 10:42 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 476
MRS_BRENDON_URIE says:
Why thats really not cool what if one of my dvds break and i need a replacement then what....*panic*.....maybe they are just taking them all of the shelf so they can bring out a boxed set or somethign...i hope they bring them back soon...i will have to go and by philosophers stone...and chamber of secrets on dvd before 29 of december then.
Posted Jul 29, 2006 at 11:38 PM EST
Witch
Points: 639
Harry(the 4th champion) says:
WHY!!!!!! They can't do that!!!!!
Well they can.
I have all the movies anyways!!
HARRY POTTER ROCKS!!!!!!
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 12:04 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
I wish they don't have to do that.I mean,its a bit wierd to do that kind of thing.Why don't they judt leave it there.Eventhough its not a "HP" season,many will still buy it.Better leave it there so that people who want to buy it,have accesss to it anytime they want.
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 12:07 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
That does not make any sense. If it's selling who cares. I can't imagine that they are steering people to buy HDDvd?
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 3:06 AM EST
Witch
Points: 828
Elphaba_Thropp says:
That's awful. But at least I've got my copies. But if they ever break....OH NO! I'd better stock up now!
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 8:04 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 503
Zauber says:
That is a real shame that the first three won't be available after December 29.
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 3:14 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 458
#1:HarryPotterFan says:
Umm...wow...that is such a dumb idea. Its a good publicity stunt, but dumb never the less. Oh well good thing i have the first four already.
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 5:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
That is a real shame...I'm glad i have my copies already, but what happens when they get scratched? Don't play? Break?!....I don't know, i might cry!!
They might decide to do what Disney do and that's delete them for now, keep them in their vault and then release them every 5-12 years?...That's a long time to wit for them if they don't play though :(...sorry hold on i've just realised they said that in the article already.....i should read more carefully!
But are they doing that worldwide? Or just in some countries?
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 8:06 PM EST
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