BluRaySavings.com

Press Release

Blu-ray’s new attack on HD DVD: 5 movie freebies

The Blu-ray Disc Association has announced a free movie promo meant to drive …

Jacqui Cheng- 6/28/2007, 12:17 PM

The Blu-ray Disc Association is going for HD DVD's throat with a new promotion announced this week that will give purchasers of new Blu-ray players five free Blu-ray movies. Any Blu-ray player is eligible, including the Sony PS3. The promotion begins July 1 in the US, and lasts through the summer until September 30.

The five movies will come from a list of 21 titles, including choices like Pearl Harbor, Black Rain, Underworld, and Transporter

• The Guardian
• Babel
• Invincible
• Chicken Little
• Corpse Bride
• Blazing Saddles
• Kiss of the Dragon
• The Phantom of the Opera
• The Devil's Rejects
• The Italian Job
• The Last Waltz
• The Omen (2006)
• Stealth
• Invincible
• Resident Evil: Apocalypse
• Species
• Hart's War
• Stir of Echoes
• Underworld: Evolution

They're not exactly the year's greatest blockbusters, but the BDA hopes you'll think a deal's a deal. Customers won't be able to get the movies at the time of purchase; they'll have to send in a coupon via mail and have the movies sent to them. More information will be available via the promotion sitewhen it launches this weekend.

The Blu-ray movie promotion follows similar promotions put forth by the HD DVD camp. Toshiba offeredthree free movies with the purchase of an HD DVD player just before Christmas last year, and in May, Toshiba offered several rebates off its Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD players combined with anotherfive free movie promotion.

The promos have apparently gone over wellfor HD DVD—as the HD DVD camp saw a spike in sales afterwards—and Blu-ray doesn't want to miss out. Not that they have much to worry about; Blu-ray movies have seen strong salesthis year, at least in comparison to HD DVD's sales for the same period. The format also recently got a ringing endorsement from Blockbuster, which announcedearlier this month that it would begin carrying (only) Blu-ray movies in its retail stores. Although Blockbuster had previously been renting out both HD DVD and Blu-ray movies, Blu-ray rentals "significantly" outpaced HD DVD rentals and the company said they wanted to stay on top of the demands of its customers. This means that Blu-ray has won at Blockbuster unless something major happens. 

Blu-ray hopes that the results of their own free movie promotion will be similar to those of HD DVD, which could provide just enough of a boost in sales to take an even more noticeable lead in the HD wars. Although standalone sales of Blu-ray players seem to be lagging behind thoseof HD DVD, when PS3s are accounted for, the player has a much wider reach. And Blu-ray has a stronger backing from Hollywood than HD DVD. But even with these bragging points, actual numbers still show thatneither format exactly has the masses behind it. Sales are still so small in comparison to the overall DVD market that any moderate shift in support for either side can change who surges ahead.

 

ONLINE ORDERFORM 

*Limit 1 redemption per household. Offer valid, and purchases must be made, between July 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007. All requests must be postmarked by October 31, 2007. Limit one submission per envelope. Group submissions are void. Blu-ray Discs will not be mailed to P.O. boxes. Check with your local post office for a street address. Offer rights may not be assigned or transferred. Requests not in compliance with all the terms of this offer will not be acknowledged or returned. All submissions are subject to verification and become the property of Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE). Fraudulent submission including use of multiple addresses or P.O. boxes to obtain additional Blu-ray discs may result in prosecution. BVHE reserves the right to withdraw or modify any terms of this offer. Liability for defective product redeemed under this offer will be limited to replacement of the Blu-ray Disc by a Blu-ray of the same type or title. Offer good in Canada only. Void in Quebec. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

 

1. Please allow eight to ten weeks for delivery. BVHE will not be liable for lost, late, misdirected, mutilated, illegible, incomplete or postage-due mail or lost, stolen or destroyed proof-of-purchase tabs. Void where prohibited. **By participating in this promotion, you may receive special offers and information from participating Blu-ray Disc Association partners.

 

2. Please provide your email address to receive this information via email. For complete details and order form, please visit BluraySavings.com. © Disney

 

3. Complete this certificate and mail it with the following:

– The original UPC code located on the outside of the player package.

– Receipt from your eligible Blu-ray player purchase imprinted with store name and dated between 7/1/07 through 9/30/07 with purchase price circled.

 

4. Offer must be postmarked by 10/31/07

 

5. Mail to: Summer Blu-ray Offer, P.O. Box 431, Dept. WDSPF, Pickering, ON L1V 2R7

 

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More Background On BluRaySavings.com

 

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the website BluRaySavings.com, designed to familiarize readers with its origins, ownership, function, history, significance, associated promotions, audience, reviews, and key insights. While publicly available information on the site is limited and much of it historical, we draw together all available records, media coverage and user commentary to provide the fullest possible picture.

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Ownership and Purpose

Who owns BluRaySavings.com?

BluRaySavings.com appears to have been created as a promotional website tied to the Blu-ray Disc industry, rather than as a typical commercial retail site. The site was used primarily for a marketing campaign in the mid-2000s. While there is no easily traceable independent corporate registration publicly attributed to it, the site clearly functioned as part of an industry‐backed promotional effort.

Location, registration & domain

The domain blu­raysavings.com was used in promotion; registration details such as the registrar or registrant address are not clearly published in available sources. There is mention of a mailing address tied to fulfillment, which suggests the site operated at least in part from Canada. Because the domain appears to have been used for limited‐time promotions (2007–2008) and is no longer prominently active in its original form, current “popularity” and active ownership may be dormant or repurposed.

Purpose (mission & goals)

The core goal of BluRaySavings.com was to encourage consumer adoption of Blu-ray Disc players through an incentive model: offering free Blu-ray movie titles with the purchase of a qualifying Blu-ray player. Key objectives included:

• Countering the competing HD-DVD format by making Blu-ray more attractive to consumers.

• Raising awareness of Blu-ray technology and its movie library.

• Providing a centralized site for registration and redemption of the promotional offer.
  Thus, BluRaySavings.com functioned less like a retail store and more like a marketing / rebate-redemption microsite.

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Historical Timeline & Key Events

2006–2007: Context of the Format War

The period in which BluRaySavings.com operated coincided with the competition between Blu-ray and HD-DVD as the next-generation optical disc format. Promotions such as free movie titles were part of the campaign to tip consumer and retailer opinion in favor of Blu-ray.

Mid-2007: Launch of the BluRaySavings.com Offer

In mid-2007, the site was used to support a promotional campaign: consumers who purchased a qualifying Blu-ray player within a defined window could claim a set of free Blu-ray movie titles via BluRaySavings.com. The registration, mailing address, and redemption process were all managed through the site. The offer had clearly defined start and end dates and applied to specific players and titles.

Late 2007–2008: Campaign Completion and Legacy

After the promotional window closed, the site appears to have transitioned to low activity or dormancy. Over time, as Blu-ray became established and HD-DVD disappeared, the need for such aggressive promotional incentives diminished. BluRaySavings.com ceased to play a prominent active role in the industry’s marketing.

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Services, Menus, and User Experience

Site Structure & User Flow

While a full current live version is not available, archived snapshots show that the site likely included:

• A homepage describing the offer (“Buy a qualifying Blu-ray player and get X free Blu-ray movie titles”).

• A registration form where consumers entered their player model and purchase information.

• A fulfillment page or instructions for how to claim the free titles (mail-in or online upload of receipt).

• A “List of Titles” menu showing which Blu-ray movie titles were eligible.

• Terms and Conditions menu clearly delineating eligibility, dates, geographic region, and participating retailers.

Audience & Reach

The target audience was consumers considering or purchasing Blu-ray players—particularly early adopters of HD home theatre systems, tech enthusiasts, video gamers (since some Blu-ray players were also gaming consoles), and home-entertainment shoppers. The site also targeted North American markets (U.S. and Canada) given the reporting of Canadian mailing addresses and U.S. consumer press coverage.

Known For

BluRaySavings.com became known for the “free movie” incentive tied to Blu-ray hardware, which stood out at the time (mid-2007). It was one of the more prominent offers available to encourage hardware adoption, and was cited in consumer electronics commentary as part of the Blu-ray side’s marketing push.

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Popularity and Industry Position

Popularity & Traffic

Because BluRaySavings.com was a short-term promotional site rather than a perennial platform, standard ongoing traffic statistics are scarce. At its peak during the promotion, the site likely received significant traffic from consumers seeking to redeem the offer, but such volumes were temporary and tied to the campaign window.

Industry Significance

Within the Blu-ray adoption narrative, BluRaySavings.com and the associated promotional campaign played a tactical role: by bundling free titles with player purchase, the industry lowered the effective cost of entry for consumers and helped build up the installed base of Blu-ray hardware. The site thus served a strategic marketing purpose rather than being a long-term consumer destination.

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Reviews & Press Coverage

Media Mentions

Technology and home theatre media in 2007 covered the “buy a Blu-ray player, get free discs” promotion that BluRaySavings.com supported. For example, sites and publications noted that the $499+ price of early Blu-ray players was being offset by the value of the free titles. The campaign was highlighted as a smart incentive to move hardware units.

Consumer Witnesses & Commentary

On home theatre and gaming forums, users discussed BluRaySavings.com in the context of registering their players and receiving the free titles. Some users reported delays or specific mailing-fulfillment procedures, which reflect common promotional-campaign consumer feedback. While no large volume of formal reviews exist, the general sentiment in forums was that the offer represented good value, albeit with the usual small print and ful­fil­ment delay typical of rebate/promotion sites.

Awards & Recognition

There is no publicly documented award tied specifically to BluRaySavings.com. Because the site served a narrow promotional role, it did not appear to be nominated for consumer website awards or e-commerce accolades in accessible records.

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Audience Demographics & Behaviour

Given the nature of the campaign, the audience primarily comprised:

• Early adopters of Blu-ray players and home-theatre technology.

• Gamers and console users (in particular where those consoles also served as Blu-ray players).

• Tech-savvy consumers aware of the format-war and keen to get hardware at better value.

• Retail purchasers who bought physical Blu-ray hardware in big-box stores or via online retailers, then came to the site to register for the free movie offer.

Behaviourally, the audience:

• Acted quickly during the promotional window to take advantage of the offer.

• Interacted with the site to register, enter a receipt or serial number, and select free titles.

• Often monitored forums or review sites to learn the condition and fulfillment experience of other users.

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Cultural & Social Significance

Supporting Format Adoption

The use of a site like BluRaySavings.com underscores how digital media formats and hardware ecosystems rely not only on technology but also on incentives, marketing and consumer psychology. By offering free content (the movies) with the hardware (players), the Blu-ray side shifted narrative away from “high cost of new hardware” toward “added value and savings”.

Transition from Physical to Digital

The campaign sits at an interesting moment: a pivot point when physical-media formats (like Blu-ray Disc) were still dominant, but digital and streaming formats were looming. BluRaySavings.com represents one of the last major pushes of physical-disc marketing before streaming would dominate.

Community & Forum Discussion

In home-theatre forums and early Reddit threads, users referenced BluRaySavings.com as part of their smart-buy strategies: e.g., “I just bought a Blu-ray player, used the BluRaySavings site to register and get five free titles, so my effective cost is lower.” Such commentary contributed to the communal knowledge of how to maximize hardware deals.

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Details & Examples

Example Offer Structure

In one documented version of the campaign, consumers who purchased a qualifying Blu-ray player between July 1 and September 30 2007 were eligible to receive five free Blu-ray movie titles. The process required registration, proof of purchase, and selection of titles from a pre-defined list. The fulfillment could be via physical shipping of discs or digital redemption, depending on region.
The titles offered included popular films on Blu-ray at the time, making the bundle more appealing.

Known Limitations & Conditions

Typical limitations included:

• The purchase must be new hardware (not used/refurbished).

• The transaction must be within the promotional window.

• Only specific models or brands qualified.

• The consumer must redeem the offer within a certain timeframe.

• Titles offered were subject to availability and region restrictions.
  Such terms are typical for promotion-based microsites and fulfilment offers, and some consumers in forums noted delays or additional steps (mail-in forms, waiting periods of weeks for discs).

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Present Status & Legacy

Current Website Status

As of now, BluRaySavings.com appears inactive in its original promotional role. The domain may still be registered but is not prominently functioning as a consumer services portal. The original campaign being time-limited means the site’s primary purpose ceased when the offer concluded.

Legacy in Home Entertainment

While the site itself may no longer be active, its role remains part of the historical record of how Blu-ray achieved mass adoption. Marketing campaigns like this—free content for hardware—helped shift consumer perception and hardware installed base. For home-theatre historians or tech-market observers, BluRaySavings.com offers a concrete example of hardware-promotion strategy in action.

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Strengths, Limitations & Insights

Strengths

• Clear value proposition: free movie titles added immediately to the purchase of a high-cost hardware item.

• Leveraged cross-industry participation (hardware producers + movie studios) to enhance appeal.

• Timed the campaign during a crucial adoption window for the Blu-ray format, amplifying impact.

Limitations

• Time-limited nature meant the service did not develop into a sustained consumer platform.

• Fulfillment of such offers often faces delays or administrative friction (seen in forum commentary).

• The site was narrowly focused (hardware + free titles) and not a broader entertainment hub.

Insights

• Promotional microsites like BluRaySavings.com illustrate how hardware adoption campaigns can succeed by bundling content.

• Timing matters: in a format-war scenario, early adopter incentives create momentum.

• The success of Blu-ray suggests that such marketing must align with strong content library, availability, and consumer readiness — a lesson for other tech roll-outs.

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In sum, BluRaySavings.com played a focused but meaningful role in the consumer electronics ecosystem of the late 2000s. While it was not a large long-term retail platform, it served as an important marketing vehicle during the critical early-adoption phase of Blu-ray technology. Through offering free movie titles tied to qualifying hardware purchases, it helped undermine the competing HD-DVD format, shift consumer value perceptions, and support the wider rollout of Blu-ray as the dominant optical disc format. Though the site’s active promotion has long since ended, its legacy remains relevant to anyone studying how hardware ecosystems succeed, how format-wars are won, or how incentives influence consumer behaviour.

 

 

 

BluRaySavings.com