The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is claiming that sales of Blu-ray movie discs have surpassed those of HD DVD-based movies for the first time and that the gap will widen significantly in the coming year.

A bullish BDA, backed by the presidents and CEO of the major Hollywood studios at yesterday's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, outlined sales figures that indicate that Blu-ray may be edging ahead in the format wars. According to the BDA, of the Top 20 selling high-definition (HD) DVDs sold in the US in 2006, 16 were Blu-ray-based.

Also, using commissioned research from UK research outfit, Understanding and Solutions, the BDA claimed that by 2010, nearly all high definition hardware sold will be Blu-ray hardware and the vast proportion of HD movies will be too.

“The success of Blu-ray Disc is unprecedented,” claimed Andy Parsons, chair of the US Promotions Committee for the BDA. “With unmatched cross-industry support, including seven of the eight major Hollywood studios and two biggest players in the music industry, consumers have voted with their wallets for the format that offers the widest array of hardware and content on the market. The road ahead in 2007 looks even brighter as we introduce Blu-ray Disc to Europe and as even more consumers migrate to HDTVs.”

There are now 170 Blu-ray movie titles on offer but the major studios are planning a far more aggressive Blu-ray roll-out this year. Sony is planning to launch up to 100 movies in 2007 with Warner Bros. hoping to match that. Lionsgate is planning up to 50 titles while Buena Vista is aiming for at least 20, including popular kid’s titles Cars, in the first six months.

However, while Blu-ray’s future in the US and Japan seems assured, there’s no such monopoly in Europe where HD DVD is leading. Until the PS3 arrives in Spring, there’s little chance of that changing until at least the latter half of 2007.

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