Despite the advent of streaming services, DVD and Blu-ray sales remain strong, according to figures released by the Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association (AHEDA).

The video rental store might be a thing of the past but the physical disc format is alive and well, with new release titles and television series driving sales of both DVD and Blu-ray.

The physical disc market remains one of the largest individual categories in Australia, generating more value than categories such as tablets or wearables.

AHEDA data reveals that Australians are among the largest purchasers of DVD and Blu-ray discs globally. The physical disc retail channel sold 44 million discs in 2016, with a total value of $806 million.

While a decrease in the purchase of older catalogue films on DVD saw the market decline by 11% in 2016, sales of new release titles increased by 4%, with Blu-ray new release films up by 14% and Blu-ray TV series sales up by 17%.

Improving shares in the new release film and TV series categories, both of which have higher average prices than the overall market, boosted Blu-ray’s 2016 share increase. Over a quarter of all new release movies are now purchased on Blu-ray.

The format remains highly desirable for collectors, bolstered by exclusive releases featuring bonus discs and VAM, like the Blu-ray Steelbooks and special editions regularly offered by JB Hi-Fi.

“The physical disc market is incredibly resilient in Australia, and with the amazing theatrical slate in 2016 continuing into 2017, I expect new release DVD and Blu-ray disc sales to grow again in 2017,” said Mr. Simon Bush, CEO of AHEDA.

The Top 5 combined DVD and Blu-ray sellers in 2016 by volume were:

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

2. Deadpool

3. Game of Thrones: Season 5

4. Zootopia

5. Spectre