Despite global declines, DVD and Blu-ray sales were either flat or even increased in 2009, with the Blu-ray sales to be expected to further increase in 2010.

These were among the key findings of a new report released by Media Control GfK, the world's largest provider of international media & entertainment performance metrics.

"Despite global declines in DVD sales, the local economies of the international markets were not all down in 2009," said Brad Hackley, President of Media Control GfK USA.

Media Control GfK's '2009 Year End Summary and 2010 Home Video Forecast Report' notes that 33% of the international territories experienced either positive or flat DVD & Blu-ray annual revenue performance in 2009. Germany and Sweden led all territories, followed by Switzerland and Australia. However, other leading markets, the U.K. and Japan, mirrored the U.S. with double-digit sales declines from the prior year.

Other notable findings from the report estimate the number of Blu-ray units sold through to consumers is expected to increase this year on average nearly 70% across the key international markets.