07/12/2005

At the PEVE (Perspectives of the European Video Edition) encounters which take place today and tomorrow in Biarritz, the National Film Centre (CNC) published a study by the institute OpinionWay on the practical consumption of video in Europe. Analysing the five large markets for video in the Old Continent, this enquiry reveals that Europeans watch on average 5,8 DVDs per month with the British ahead (7,1), followed by the Spanish (6,8 DVDs), the Italians (5,6), the Germans (5) and the French (4,8). Cinema spectators and more particularly the regulars watch on average one DVD more per month than the rest of the population.

As for equipment, 52% of European homes have DVD players within the last two years , with Britain and France leading (60% and 52% equipped within the last two years), then Spain and Germany (58% and 56% within the last two years), Italy appearing to be the youngest market (65 % within the last two years). Currently , the "DVD libraries " of the Europeans has around 50 titles , British with 79 DVDs on average (52 in France, 49 in Spain, 38 in Italy and 37 in Germany). The purchase of DVDs is largely on top (47%), then borrowing (28%) and rental (25%). Also, 79% of Europeans bought at least one DVD in the last 12 months for a global average of almost 2,7 DVDs bought per month. Among the main differences between the five big European countries, the existence of an important buying and selling market for second hand DVDs in Spain and Italy, two territories where rental is sporadic (while it’s marginal in Germany where borrowing is at 38% of DVDs coming into the home).
The entire study can be consulted in the days ahead on the CNC site.

(Translated from French)