Super Bowl Fever Likely to Ignite Home Theater Passion

Super Bowl Fever Likely to Ignite Home Theater Passion

    Lifestyle Editors/Entertainment Editors

    MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2005--Super Bowl's status as the nation's premier "unofficial" holiday, combined with price declines in high-definition television (HDTV), are likely to accelerate consumer interest in the home theater experience, according to the professionals at Best Buy, the nation's leading consumer electronics retailer.
    "Super Bowl has enjoyed a remarkable ratings run, posting an audience of close to 90 million viewers last year alone," said Lee Simonson, business team leader at Best Buy. "People tend to view the 'big game' and other nationally televised events such as the Academy Awards as social occasions. This definitely creates renewed interest in HDTV and home theater as we approach air time."
    A study conducted after last year's game by global research company ASI confirms that Super Bowl is a TV-centered, social magnet. According to ASI, the "big game" not only attracts people who don't normally watch professional football game broadcasts, but it has become a party lure, twice as likely to be viewed from someone else's home with six or more people as compared to other games during the pro ball season.
    It's this drawing power that could help accelerate the industry's robust 2004 sales of 7.3 million HDTV units into 2005's "big game" telecast and beyond. Compared to traditional analog television, HDTV improves the viewing experience with finer picture quality and detail, and wider display. Home theater systems further enhance the experience by adding sound. HDTV now represents the majority of industry, and Best Buy's own, television sales.
    "HDTV is becoming the centerpiece of an in-home viewing experience that enables us to feel the excitement of actually being at the 'big game,'" Simonson observed. "Better yet, these theater systems can be enjoyed for a fraction of the $10,000 or more for four tickets to Jacksonville."
    Best Buy sells a wide variety of HDTVs and home theater components to help customers satisfy their viewing and listening preferences. Simonson encourages people who are contemplating a home theater system to consider all the elements that create the ideal "big game" viewing experience at home:

--	Preferred HDTV format. HDTV is available in a wide variety of television formats. Most feature large screens in widescreen proportions simulating a theater experience at home. Plasma and LCD televisions are generating a lot of interest because they are thinner, lighter and brighter than traditional analog TVs. Other options that provide great viewing include microdisplay rear-projection televisions such as digital light processing (DLP) sets.
--	Source for digital broadcast content. Three sources - over-the-air from local TV stations, satellite and digital cable - deliver local and national digital programming in-home, and these options can vary by market. Some high-definition televisions have a built-in tuner to receive local high-definition broadcasts. These sets are referred to as "HD-Built-In." Sets without an integrated tuner are "HD-Ready," and need a set-top box to decode the high-definition signal.
--	Sound quality. The HDTV format incorporates digital 5.1 surround sound into high-definition broadcasts, giving the "in the middle of the action" feel. For the ultimate viewing experience, it's important to incorporate a sound system that is comparable in quality to the television. The ideal is a dedicated audio system of at least five speakers, plus a subwoofer for extreme low frequencies, and sufficient power to drive them all.
--	Assembly requirements. It is important to have the right cables and accessories to connect the home theater system to the in-home power supply. Best Buy in-store customer specialists are available to provide advice on specific home theater cable and other set-up accessory requirements. For those customers who are hesitant about assembling the system themselves, Best Buy service personnel are available for in-home delivery and set- up, ensuring that everything is connected and calibrated for the optimal experience.

    For more details about HDTV and home theater systems, visit www.bestbuynewscenter.com.

    About Best Buy Co., Inc.

    Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is an innovative Fortune 100(R) growth company that continually strives to create superior customer experiences. Through more than 780 retail stores across the United States and in Canada, our employees connect customers with technology and entertainment products and services that make life easier and more fun. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services. A Minneapolis-based company, our operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com) and Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com). We support our communities through employee volunteerism and grants from The Best Buy Children's Foundation.

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CONTACT: Best Buy Co., Inc., Minneapolis Media Contacts: Paula Baldwin, 612-291-6126 Paula.baldwin@bestbuy.com or Jay Musolf, 612-291-6124 Jay.musolf@bestbuy.com

KEYWORD: MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE RETAIL PRODUCT SOURCE: Best Buy Co., Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005