DVD and Blu-Ray sales and rentals were both up slightly in the first half of 2008, despite generally depressed retail conditions and concerns about downloading, according to Home Media.  Purchases were up 1.1%, and rental spending was up 2.6% vs. the year ago period. 

Sales of Blu-ray discs for the first half of 2008 more than tripled vs. sales in the same time period in 2007, reflecting the resolution of the high def format war (see “Stick a Fork in HD-DVD”) and increased penetration of players.

DVDs are seen as low-priced entertainment, which may be helping sales in tough economic conditions, although sell-through had a much smaller share of the total business during the last serious economic downturn in the early nineties.   

Total sales of DVDs were $6.87 billion, vs. $6.8 billion last year.  Sales and rental combined for a total of $10.77 billion in the first half of 2008.