Despite the flurry of DVD activity at the retail sales level, the VHS format outperformed DVDs in the November rental market in both revenues (+211%) and turns (+226%) within the top 200 titles. The announcement was made today by Bo Andersen, president of the home video and entertainment industry's international trade group -- the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA). According to VSDA's VidTrac program -- the video industry's most accurate video rental retrieval system, based on actual rental transactions -- for the month ending 4 November - 2 December 2001, VidTrac measured consumer rental spending among the Top 200 VHS titles at $478 million and the Top 200 DVDs at $154 million.

``The DVD format, without a doubt, is proving to be a popular medium among home video consumers as evidenced by such record sell-thru titles as 'Snow White,' 'Shrek,' and 'Pearl Harbor,''' said Andersen. ``The push to embrace this digital medium is also being stimulated from the top down by national chain retailers offering holiday incentive pricing on DVD players with some being offered under $100. We are very excited about the infectious growth of the DVD market in our industry, but it is clearly evident the VHS format will also remain a popular source for home entertainment in years to come.'' Established in 1981, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is a not-for-profit international trade association for the approximate $19 billion home entertainment industry. VSDA represents over 2,000 companies throughout the United States, Canada, and 22 other countries. Membership comprises the full spectrum of video retailers (both independents and large chains), as well as the home video divisions of all major and independent motion picture studios, video game and multimedia producers, and other related businesses that constitute and support the home video entertainment industry.