Blu-ray disc shortage in China to end by December

A Blu-ray Disc factory set to launch by December in China will put an end to slow sales of Blu-ray Disc players made by the likes of Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer, it was learned at the Blu-ray Disc Association Press Conference today. Shanghai Epic Music Entertainment Company Ltd. will produce the high-capacity media storage discs at an 140,000 square foot expansion to its factory in Shanghai. The new lines are expected to start producing discs as soon as December.

Before this comes into effect, Sony is taking steps to spur sales of its Blu-ray player in the Chinese market with an added incentive. For an unspecified amount of time, buyers of Sony's BDP-S300 player will receive three Blu-ray DVDs, including Kung Fu Hustle, Spider-Man 3 and Open Season.

The Chinese market is expected to add a significant percentage to the global sales of Blu-ray devices and discs, as well as their profits. In Japan, Blu-ray disc players hold more than 50 percent of market share among all disc players, while customers in the United States bought over 11 million Blu-ray DVDs.

Filed under: industry, digital imaging
Other story tags: sony, blu-ray, China