Meanwhile, Little Silver Disks

You probably thought the DVD and Blu-ray era was totally over. But no ...

DreamWorks Animation’s “Kung Fu Panda 3,” distributed by 20th Century Fox, earned a second week atop the NPD VideoScan First Alert sales chart, which tracks combined DVD and Blu-ray Disc unit sales, and the dedicated Blu-ray Disc sales chart.

Holding onto the No. 2 spot on both charts for a second week was Walt Disney Studios’ “Zootopia,” which in its fifth week sold 78% as many copies as the “Panda” sequel in its second (and 71% as many Blu-ray copies).

Moving up a spot to No. 3 on both charts was Fox’s “Deadpool,” in its ninth week. ...

While animation doesn't generate the multi-million sales of little silver disks tht happened before streaming and Subscription Videon on Demand, it still performs better than many live-action titles.

This happens because Blu-ray and DVD players are incredibly inexpensive, and children love to watch their favorite cartoons ... over ... and over ... and over.

Older technologies fade over time, but they seldom go completely away. (Has radio disappeared? Movie theaters?) Our fine, entertainment conglomerates will sell their Intellectul Property across any and all distribution platforms. Blue-ra and DVD disks, and before them rectangular VHS tapes, generated millions in revenue. Certain cash stream have declined, but studios have no intention of abandoning them.

So if animation makes money on small shiny disks, Disney, Comcast-Universal and the rest will keep selling them. Both current and classic animation generate cash, and titles keep selling, even as Hangover 2 and Date Night have become minimalist titles on Amazon.

Live action comedies have limited life-spans. Snow White, Pinocchio and Toy Story. are forever.