The DVD industry experienced double digit growth in the third quarter, outpacing 2001's record sales, according to the DVD Entertainment Group.

Over 153 million DVD software units shipped to retail in the quarter, more than double what shipped in the same period last year. More than 1.1 billion DVD movies and music videos have shipped since the format's inception in 1997. More than 18,000 titles are currently available with approximately 100 new DVD movies and music videos released each week. The cumulative box office gross of the releases for the fourth quarter 2002 is more than $4.3 billion, up 34 percent from last year. This is the largest box office gross of DVD releases for any quarter since the format was introduced in 1997.

In the third quarter 2002, 5.4 million DVD players shipped to retail, a 31 percent increase over the same period last year, according to the group. The total players shipped since the format's launch has reached 45.4 million. The group estimates that the industry is on track to ship more than 20 million DVD players this year alone.

Additionally, according to figures compiled by the group based on retail and manufacturer data, DVD players sold through to U.S. consumers have reached 43.7 million, with the format currently in nearly 33 million households (adjusting for homes owning two or more DVD players).