HDTV: Who Knew Football Was SO Powerful?

The RetailBRIDGE cites a study that claims 5.5 million U.S. TV viewers purchased HDTVs during the holiday season and football's Superbowl in February 2008. To put this number in perspective, 28 million U.S. households in total own HDTVs. This means that 20% of the current HDTV population in the U.S. jumped on board during the Christmas season and Superbowl timeframe. Wow!

There are obviously other factors that come into play here: amazingly low prices during those few months (and even still today!), the upcoming FCC transition to all-digital TV, and growing consumer knowledge about HDTV overall. But a major surge in sales during those 3 months is great news for the industry; and just reinforces the importance of the holidays and sports. It's incredible when you think just how important gift-giving and sporting events are to the CE business.

The study, which was conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates, reports that one-quarter of the U.S. population now owns an HDTV; and almost 10 million homes now have at least two HDTVs. 30 million Americans say they plan to buy an HDTV this year, and virtually all of them say they'll go HD.

As more and more consumers begin to understand HDTV, and the sources that are required to obtain content, the format is poised for major growth. When will we reach 100% penetration? Judging from the way things are going now, I think we'll get pretty darned close by 2009.

For those who aren't familiar with how to get HD, here's a quick recap of the requirements:

1) Buy an high-definition TV (720p, 1080i, or 1080p, with the latter being the "best" quality possible; but all three technically representing HD-quality)

2) Buy an HD source, like a cable or satellite set-top box, Blu-ray disc player, or Sony PlayStation 3.

3) To access high-definition programming via cable or satellite TV, contact your provider and subscribe to the high-definition channels you want. In most cases, the provider should have some sort of HD add-on pack that includes most, if not all, of the available high-def channels. If you want to watch a high-definition DVD, you must buy a Blu-ray disc and play it back in a Blu-ray player. If you buy a standard DVD movie, it will not become high-definition if you play it back in your Blu-ray player; although it will be upscaled to a better quality image.

That's it, and you're off to enjoying HD content in all its glory!

Video Gaming Stronger Than Ever

What is it about video games that has such appeal among people of all ages? Is it the feeling of comraderie? The reported development and stimulation of hand/eye co-ordination? Or the aspect of competition, perhaps? Whatever it is, video gaming is a burgeoning industry, with The Retail BRIDGE reporting US$17.94 billion in sales for 2007, rising 43% from the year prior. According to figures cited from the NPD, the video game industry rose 28% during the month of December 2007 alone, reaching a record US$4.82 billion.

Of those people I know who actively engage in video game play, the majority are surprisingly not kids, but rather grown men. Some use it as a way to unwind after a hard day's work; while others enjoy a game or two in the company of friends. Others yet use video gaming as a way to keep in touch with friends and family who, due to the constraints of adult life and location, they can't catch up with face-to-face. With Internet connectivity available with the most advanced gaming platforms, someone in Canada can shoot, fight, and drive his way to virtual glory with a friend or family member somewhere across the world. And why talk by telephone or type an e-mail when you can race your buddy through curvy and dangerous roads on-screen, or work together to conquer aliens in a virtual world while chatting through a headset?

The Retail BRIDGE goes on to report that video game software sales rose 33% in 2007 to US$8.62 billion. This isn't hard to believe. I often see or hear about an avid game player buying an $80 video game one day, only to complete it by the next (after playing continuously for hours on end, no doubt). With a new game purchase every few weeks, well, you do the math.

Word of mouth works wonders as well, and with new and highly-anticipated titles coming out all the time, there's no surprise that gamer's wallets keep opening to jump on the newest and most exciting game train. Not to mention that with the appeal of the aforementioned Internet connectivity options, each friend and family member has to own the game in question in order to participate. This means that one gaming session can easily translate to 5x the sale.

We've heard the video game debate over and over when it comes to kids and teens, but here's an interesting question: what about adults? Are video games bad for the 30+ crowd? On the one hand, there's nothing wrong with engaging in fun activity every now and then, and it can actually help someone relax from a stressful day. Stereotypically, women shop and get their hair and nails done while men watch football and play video games, right? But on the other hand, too much of anything can wreak havoc in one's life.

The same rule applies to this past-time as does to any other: anything in moderation is a-ok. And with consoles like the Nintendo Wii becoming increasingly popular, gaming is more often than not a family activity rather than a solitary pleasure, meaning that it can even be used as a means to bring everyone together.

With that said, the video game industry is likely poised for further growth in 2008. Whatever this industry is feeding consumers, no doubt that it's working wonders.