CES 2009: Disney turns to 'Combo Packs' to help grow Blu-ray market

Following on from successful trials across limited markets with the Blu-ray release of Sleeping Beauty late last year, Walt Disney Home Entertainment has revealed that it will be releasing more high-profile family titles as Combo Packs containing both Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film. Titles confirmed by Disney at CES include teen sensation High School Musical 3: Senior Year (February), animated classic Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Edition (March) and the eagerly-anticipated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (October).

All Combo Pack releases will feature fully-specified Blu-ray releases - often multi-disc, as with Sleeping Beauty - plus a bonus DVD disc containing the film and a limited set of bonus features. Disney says that this enables consumers to future-proof their collections, enabling them to invest in a Blu-ray player at a later date without the need to buy the same title again. 'As always, we are committed to offering our consumers exceptional quality and value when purchasing our products' said Bob Chapek, President of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

The company also pledged continuing commitment to including DigitalFile digital copies of its movies with Blu-ray releases in the US and Canada (but there's still no word on introducing the technology in Europe). 2009 Blu-ray releases confirmed to include DigitalFile digital copies include High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Monsters, Inc. and A Bug's Life.

Other Blu-ray releases scheduled for release in the US this year include Swing Vote, Miracle at St. Anna, Morning Light, Space Buddies, Pretty Woman, Microcosmos, Rounders: 10th Anniversary Edition, Lost: The Complete First and Second Seasons, Miracle, Sling Blade, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Pulp Fiction: Special Edition, Good Will Hunting: Special Edition and Sin City.