

Is digital ownership going to live up to its promise?
Industry veteran Mitch Singer sees ominous data from DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.
Singer, a former Sony studio executive who is now a principal at Digital 360 Ventures, said electronic sellthrough — which had been growing steadily over the past couple of years boosted by early digital-release schemes — looks to be leveling off.
Singer spoke at the Oct. 6 Digital Media Pipeline conference hosted by the Entertainment Merchants Association.
After gaining steadily on VOD, EST revenue is projected to total $2.01 billion to VOD’s $2.07 billion in 2016, Singer said, calling it a “troubling number.” Given the EST growth pattern in previous years, projected revenue for 2016 should be higher, he said.
“Something has happened; it looks like [digital] ownership has stalled,” he said.