Warner Bros. Ends DVD Business in S. Korea, Focus Turns To Digital Downloads
Posted by Mehar Gill on November 19, 2008
Filed Under: Blu-ray, Downloads, Format War, Mac, PC, Rental, Studios, Warner
Warner Brothers, the last major Hollywood studio to produce DVD’s in South Korea has officially halted production due to growing piracy concerns. A unnamed source at Warner Brothers Home Video Korea had this to say,
One of the reasons for the pullout is a slump in the video and DVD market, resulting from online piracy and illegal downloading,
Instead, Warner will join the ranks of fellow Hollywood studios and focus on Digital Distribution in the region. A study by the Korean Film Council found that close to 50% of those surveyed download at least one film per year.
What will this mean for Blu-ray in the region?
Our advice? Follow the lead of lesser known studios in the region, produce content to cater exclusively to the region, in other words, Starcraft!
[Via EngadgetHD]
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Growing piracy concerns? In most areas in Asia, piracy is the industry. When I was there a few years back you could get chipped PS2 systems, and games for $5. It’s sad, but when you think about it; probably says something about the future of media in this country as well – it’s already pretty bad.