The global economic crisis is even hitting DVD sales. Senior executives last week reported that the company has seen the same slowdown in DVD sales that plagued the rest of the industry in the fourth quarter. “It is worth noting that we did see a strong performance from blockbuster hits such as ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Indiana Jones [and The Kingdom Of the Crystal Skull]‘,” said Chief Executive Philippe Dauman.

“In the fourth quarter we saw the conversion rate of box office revenue into DVD purchases decline on all but the most popular titles,” said Chief Financial Officer Tom Dooley. Because DVD sales are better for franchise titles, Paramount Pictures will bear this in mind when it decides what features it will produce. This will mean less variety, bigger names for the short term when it comes to DVD titles and offerings.