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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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Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
I think that's so stupid. I hate when companies do that, honestly it only boosts thier sales over a short period instead of long term. I can't believe that the WB has stooped so low...
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 845
hermione624 says:
ooh! That would be so sad! i really hope that they dont do that! but what is blu-ray??
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:44 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 628
Ronian says:
ABSOLOUTELY ABSURD! I have 1 and 2 on VHS and would eventually like 'em on DVD! BUT I wanted to buy them close to the end of the series! This is STUPID!
Anyone up for a petition?
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:45 PM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5145
Weesa says:
I don't like this policy of locking movies into a vault. I think they should make them all available all the time. I have never agreed with Disney in this matter. I have nieces and nephews that have never seen some classic movies due to this disagreeable practice.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:51 PM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
That's so stupid, what if my DVD *gasp* breaks or something? What am I gonna do? I hate WB... and I don't have HD-DVD either. And I don't plan on getting it.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
Sometimes my DVDS get scratched & worn. Thanks for the warning, Im going to have a stockpile heh, we'll see. Its gonna be wierd not seeing any HP movies when you shop. o_0
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:55 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1150
Witch_one_counts? says:
That's not cool. What happens if mine wear out? Or if I want to get them for someone as a gift? That isn't cool. Do you think they would be put back out on the shelves after the 5th movie comes out? Because people are probably going to want to buy them after they see the 5th. Have an awesome day everyone :)
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:56 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 622
Dumbledore's_Favorite says:
This sounds like a shenanigan to me. If this truly is a ploy for increasing sales for the upcoming holidays, I would be furious. They are better off producing a select few of "special edition" dvds rather than pull all off the shelf. I hope this is nothing more than just a rumor.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 5:57 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
I don't like this new transition because then it potentially makes my existing DVDs obsolete. Just another marketing ploy--- well, I have all my copies, so no worries.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 642
Fairy Foozle says:
That sounds really stupid! I need a new copy of POA too because my disk is scratched! HP is probably their biggest selling one too...
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 527
daniel_radcliffe_lover736 says:
That is so messed up well at least I have two copys of Goblet of Fire and one of Prisioner of Azkaban I just have to get a copy of Chamber of Secrets and Sorecerers Stone before they take them off the shelves.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
That's nice. I already own all four movies, but it's good for those people who don't.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
If they go into a vault of some sort, I'm sure Harry Potter fans can find the dvds on ebay.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
What no return, but what if something happens and it breaks :(
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 509
luna_moon says:
They can't do that! They just can't! I just know that the day after they're taken off the shelves my GOF DVD is gonna get scratched. I just know it!
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:21 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Emmy Potter says:
Awww! That kind of stinks! I guess it's good that I already bought them. I feel really sorry for the people that are just begining to understand Harry Potter and will want to buy the movies!
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:23 PM EST
Emma's Darkest Secret
Points: 4604
Firestrike212 says:
Thats ok with me. I have all of them already.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:26 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 345
Half Blood Prince 15 says:
That is stupid. I know that people buy the HP DVDs and with all of the anticipation for the OotP movie and Mystery Book 7 (!?), I'd think they'd want to promote HP as much as they can right now.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:35 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1050
Phoenix Lover says:
Well, I guess its a good thing I already have all the DVD's.But, I wonder if the up-comng potter fans will be able to rent the movies at a movie store or not?
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
Phoenix Phire says:
I don't like the idea one bit.
What if someone had never read Harry Potter before, suddenly becomes interested, watches the moves, loves them and cannot buy them on DVD because Warner Brothers pulled them off the shelves.
I hate the fact that Disney does that too. If a person wants to buy a Disney classic for their child (or theirself) they should be able to.
Oh well, enough rambling from me.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:44 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2351
Skitch says:
Whoa. I would never expect them to do this so soon to the Harry Potter films. I think its a bad idea. They still sell. There are SO many other films they could shelve. I quote Ron from PoA:
"Bad idea, bad idea!"
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:47 PM EST
Student
Points: 282
Hermione8907 says:
How could they do this. I wish they didn't have to do this. I have to hurr up and buy the 4th one.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 6:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 844
~Silver Potion~ says:
How frusterating! I was hoping to wait until the end of the 7 movies to go out and buy a boxed set. Clearly the only motive is profit, and that's a shame.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 7:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2078
HermioneLunaGinny says:
Hmmm, if that's true I better but POA on DVD...but I hope it's just a stunt to get people to buy more.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 7:11 PM EST
Points: 1797
howdoideletethis says:
I've never really understood why film companies do that. Some companies pull movies from the shelves for years, I wonder how long they'll do it for Harry Potter. Hopefully not too long! What if one of my DVDs breaks? I imagine they'd want to put them back on the shelves when the 5th movie comes out on DVD, though.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 7:31 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 678
SirPhil says:
Oh man I can see it now, my brother will scratch up my GoF DVD and I'll have to go online and try to find another one. I wish they wouldn't do that.
Posted Jul 25, 2006 at 7:32 PM EST
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