``AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs'' Promotion Brings Smiles to Video Retailers; Over $1,500,000 in Rental Revenue Realized in the First 12 Days Following Telecast.

Entertainment Editors

ENCINO, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 5, 2000

Following the June 13 telecast of "AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs" special on CBS television, video rentals of the winning titles soared at video stores throughout the country, said VSDA President Bo Andersen today.

According to VSDA's VidTrac, total rental transactions for the winning films increased 104% from the weekly average of the two weeks prior to the telecast. Some titles experienced extraordinary increases. AFI's number one selected film, "Some Like It Hot," increased by 428% for the week ending June 18.

Rentals of "The General," one of the oldest winning titles, increased by 202% the week of the AFI telecast. The most frequently rented title prior to the telecast, "There's Something About Mary," experienced a 29% increase in rentals that same week. Rental revenues generated from these 100 selected titles totaled over $800,000 for the week ending June 18 alone.

The second week following the telecast, rentals and revenues continued at impressive rates. For the week ending June 25, rentals of the top 100 were still up 58% over the week prior to the telecast, with the top 10 films up 75%. Consumers spent an additional $650,000 renting these award-winning titles.

"These films span generations, but the joy and laughter they bring are timeless. Home video remains the single source where consumers can find these wonderful movies and enjoy them whenever they want. Video retailers take great pride in being able to offer these award-winning titles to movie-lovers everywhere," said Andersen.

Established in 1981, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is a not-for-profit international trade association for the $17 billion home entertainment industry. VSDA represents over 3,000 companies throughout the United States, Canada, and 22 other countries. Membership comprises the full spectrum of video retailers (both independents and large chains), as well as the home video divisions of all major and independent motion picture studios, video game and multimedia producers, and other related businesses, which constitute and support the home video entertainment industry.