Retailers have called on media companies to stop churning out sequels and cover versions and produce original films and music or risk losing the public's interest.
The Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), is today issuing a new year message to film, games and music companies to be more adventurous after a year characterised by franchises such as Harry Potter and cover versions from Susan Boyle and other TV talent show stars.
ERA chairman Paul Quirk says retailers fear conservative programming is damaging the long-term viability of some of Britain's most creative industries. He argues that entertainment retail sales beat expectations in 2009 largely thanks to initiatives by retailers.
"We've seen new entrants to the music market like Waterstone's and Peacocks. We've seen HMV investing in pop-up shops, some of which have become permanent openings. But retail investment alone is not sufficient. We need suppliers to be more innovative and deliver new products which excite the consumer."
ERA points out that in the video market, seven of the top 10 DVDs this year were sequels or the latest instalments in franchises such as Harry Potter, James Bond or Madagascar.
"In the music market, setting aside TV talent show successes like Susan Boyle, JLS, Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis, there are expected to be only two new UK artists with debut albums in the top 50 of the year, Florence & The Machine and La Roux," the industry group adds.
In games, the year's biggest title was the sequel, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
"Retailers are certainly not complaining about the success of Simon Cowell or Harry Potter or Call of Duty," said Quirk. "Customers love these products and we are here to sell customers what they want. But the sheer dominance of a small number of franchises, the narrowing of the range of creativity and the focus on blockbusters raises real long-term issues."
"The great strength of the UK entertainment business has always been constant innovation, and we need to recognise that it is that innovation which keeps the public interested," he said.
