Consumer purchases of Blu-ray titles increased 107% in major markets in Western Europe/Japan during the first half of 2010 while combined DVD/Blu-ray units sold were near par with last year, at (-) 1.2%.

These are among the findings of the Media Control GfK International research firm, based on actual point-of-sale retail data for the first half of 2010.

"The major retail markets for DVD & Blu-ray sales in Western Europe and Japan are showing positive signs of stabilization due to improving declines in DVD sales and growing consumer adoption of the Blu-ray format," said Brad Hackley, President of Media Control GfK USA.