London - Video games are set to generate more sales in the U.K. than music or video this year, the BBC reported, citing market research firm Verdict Research.

Spending on games is expected to grow 42%, to $7.5 billion, while sales of music and video combined will total $7.06 billion.

"The music and video market is not just suffering from a slowing of growth but a massive transfer of spend to online," Verdict Research's Malcolm Pinkerton told the BBC.

Steve Redmond, of the Entertainment Retailers Association, noted for the BBC that the Verdict figure includes sales of video game hardware.

Redmond added that the ERA itself predicts that video game spending will eclipse video by the end of the year, but not music and video combined.

Related Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7709298.stm

http://snipurl.com/55lor (GamesIndustry.biz)

http://www.verdict.co.uk