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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: 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
Student
Points: 200
Axel_of_Light says:
.... What are they playing at... what i f iI need a replacement.. this seems so weird and strange.
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 8:25 PM EST
The Jedi Who Says Ni!
Points: 6695
Jel E.Bean says:
wow I can't believe they are putting these on moratorium.
I thought that only Disney did that jink. what a bunch of poo!
I hate it when they do that!
Posted Jul 30, 2006 at 10:01 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 332
Mr. Bungle says:
If they make way for editions with more bonus content, like behind-the-scenes stuff, retrospective interviews, and director and/or cast commentaries for the films, I'm all for it.
Posted Jul 31, 2006 at 2:56 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1345
Dracos_Gurl13 says:
I think that this is b******t. It's not right to do this! They should leave them at least intil the last of the movies come out and then they could lock them all up together. This really makes no sense whatsoever and shows that they are morons! Now I'm really angry!
Posted Jul 31, 2006 at 11:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2334
Chahat says:
Well thats sure to boost the sales. Many people like me have already bought them so have no worries:D
Posted Aug 1, 2006 at 12:54 PM EST
Lady of Hufflepuff
(Moderator)
Points: 10339
Lady Lee says:
Well I really dont' care since I've already have all four of the first Harry Potter movies so I guess I won't be hurt when they do that. But I don't really like that idea.
Posted Aug 1, 2006 at 7:07 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 487
crazy_purple_hp_freak says:
:o :o :o
heh...I'm glad I've just bought all four in one go last week...bit expensivy but oh well..
Posted Aug 4, 2006 at 11:42 AM EST
Witch
Points: 991
Dementor Exterminator says:
Why would they want to take them off the shelves??? Everyone loves them and people are shorly still buying them! OK the 1st 3 might not be selling so well because they've been out a bit but hey. I only got PS last Chrissy.
What on Earth is HD-DVD anyway??? And what's Blu-Ray technology??? I've never heard of any of them.
At least i've got all four of 'em i 'spose. But what if any of them break?? Or scratch?? I then may never be able to see that one again...
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 2:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3651
Saint Hedwig says:
Why? This sounds pretty pointless to me. Won't it actually harm sales if they take off the Potter DVDs from the shelves?
~
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 10:58 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
Thats kind of weird. Im not bugged about it because i already have all four of them but it really bugs me about disney cause theres so many movies i want on dvd that i cant get from them.
Posted Aug 6, 2006 at 9:33 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2209
Scarlett Kent says:
Well it won't stimulate any desire on my part to buy the DVDs. I was so appalled by Michael Gambon's interpretation of Dumbledore that I haven't seen POA and GOF since they were in the theatres,and have no desire to. And I'm dreading some of the especially sensitive scenes involving his Dumbledore in the upcoming films.
Posted Aug 7, 2006 at 4:00 AM EST
Witch
Points: 801
HoggyWartyHogwarts, says:
Thats just wierd, oh well at least i already have them all, but what if my little brother snaps them or eats them?!? =S
Posted Aug 7, 2006 at 3:23 PM EST
Half-Blood Princess
Points: 2875
Katie Bloom says:
This seems absolutely idiotic...if people are still buying 'em keep them on the shelves!
It's a good publicity stunt and that's it.
Posted Aug 7, 2006 at 7:11 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1763
hufflepuff_babe says:
Ah what? Good thing I just bought all four in a boxed set. I would be very angry if they became un-avalible and I did not own them. This is just wierd and annoying.
Posted Aug 9, 2006 at 12:56 AM EST
Squib
Points: 110
acciohpbookseven says:
I don't like the idea of them going on moratorium; if I break or scratch them they can't be replaced for a long time:-( No good!
Posted Aug 9, 2006 at 1:30 AM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
Yeah, right. Great marketing strategy, by the way. I bet, they will return, when demands are high. They will, I am sure.
Posted Aug 9, 2006 at 12:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 797
magically delicious says:
Even though they are just trying to bump up sales, I still hate when companies do this (i.e., Disney and their classic films). I hope this means they'll just be introducing new extended versions.
Posted Aug 9, 2006 at 11:31 PM EST
Squib
Points: 112
innocent_angel says:
I find this rediculous. All it is, is Warner Bros. trying to boost sales on the movies in the future by releasing them as "special edition" or "never before seen footage." Personally, i dont understand why a multi million dollar company is still finding new ways to generate sales. its not like they will go broke anytime soon.
Posted Jan 9, 2007 at 2:06 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2424
bonniewrightrulz says:
This is really weird.I would have been really angry if i would have gone to market and not found the dvds,its a good thing i have all of them.
Posted Jul 27, 2008 at 2:22 PM EST
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