According to the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG), total US consumer spending on video entertainment, both physical and digital, reached $32.3 billion in the US in 2021, 8% better than last year (see table below). “A record period for home viewing as consumers have limited outdoor activities in response to the coronavirus,†says DEG.
Record fourth quarter of 2021 for audiovisual entertainment
In addition, total consumer spending in the fourth quarter of 2021 reached 8.6 billion, an 11% growth compared to the same period last year. A result attributed in particular to the greatest number of cinema releases. However, viewing at home did not suffer, as spending on home films soared by more than 1,100%, with most new theatrical films also being offered at home, in advance, in premium form. .
Physical market down but 4K Ultra HD sales up
A closer look at the figures reveals, as expected, that revenue from record sales shows a significant drop of -19.5%, as does that of EST (Electronic Sell-Through or definitive download) which land at -19.33%. However, if the annual expenses related to the physical market are in decline, those of the 4K Ultra HD cakes are up 6% in the fourth quarter of 2021. A real hope for the sustainability of this Entertainment sector.