Page 1 of Whats the story with Play.com

Hi
I just went to Play a few minutes ago and they have seemed to abandoned the R1 section. They dont have it as a quick pick on the side to view new releases and top 40 chart. If anything it made me think that they are trying to get rid of it..Does anyone have any idea why they have messed with it all?

I`ve just looked and it seems normal to me, top sellers there, region 1 section available etc

Warney

They have had a redesign on the homepage

Well, the R1 section is still easily accessible via "Quick Links", the tab at the top, and of course the search feature.

As for why they`ve made this change (removed/changed a few of the links and references), my guess is that it simply makes the site more "idiot-proof", so new users don`t order a R1 disc by mistake (not realising that it won`t work on their R2-only player).

Mike

This item was edited on Sunday, 4th August 2002, 14:29

Just found this info on another site.

......I know a few of you are reading wondering about PLAY.COM. For those that aren`t too sure what I`m talking about, let me bring you up to speed. At some point last week, Play stopped advertising Region 1, and effectively relegated it to a secondary item. Many people were up in arms about this, but guys, I`m sorry, the simple answer is economics. In dealing with the major labels, (the BUENA VISTA`S, PARAMOUNTS and WARNER BROS of this world) Play was finding itself in a unique and contradictory position. It was asking these labels for the best deals on their titles, while importing the same title 6 months earlier from the states. Obviously, the labels don`t want importation of DVD period, so, as I understand it, they were asked not to import, and Play, I believe have accepted these terms. BUT, fear not, I can`t say exactly, because you never know who is reading, (probably no-one) but Play and Region 1 DVD are a long way from finishing...................

Michael.

Ah ha, so I am not the only one who was worried and paranoid by this..

This item was edited on Wednesday, 7th August 2002, 13:04

Isnt it just a case of rearranging the site?....I get the same way when Sainsbury`s moves the alcohol to another section of the shop without letting us all know in a huge TV campaign. Play has just `tidied` things up as far as I can see....click on the top DVD tab and you have a choice of Region 1 or Region 2...whichever one you pick takes you to a more `region-specific` area........mountains out of molehills, boys!!

Sounds like pressure from the studios.They are the ones who created
regionalisation so they dont want to be seen to be promoting r1 importation.Also there is an issue of bbfc certification.Any title not certified by the bbfc can be confiscated etc.Also remember warner uk might complain to warner US saying were not selling enough harry potters because its avialable from the states cheaper and do something about it.Maybe other retailers are also complaining saying play are selling r1 discs so why cant we sell them in the uk,even though there are in the channel islands.Couild be a few reasons why they have done this.
nilesh
scan