[Nyororin]

My opinion on this, at least within Japan;

The sales model of relying on DVD sales for almost all income is no longer going to fly at the current prices.
No matter HOW much I enjoyed a show, there is NO WAY I am going to pay minimum 5980 for a DVD containing one single episode and, if lucky, a 5 minute interview with one of the seiyuu.

The only people that actually buy them are extreme fans (otaku)... But they do buy them in small numbers so the model persists, and the prices are actually going up. Instead of realizing that lots of people would likely buy the DVDs if they were within a more normal price range - in effect giving them more volume and more profit - they decide to see exactly how much they can get out of the fans who are willing to pay ANYTHING. I`ve seen single 20 some minute episode DVDs for 10000+. If each had been, say, 1800 or less - like DVDs of movies, etc - I would actually consider buying them to support the studios. But at that much a pop, it`s WAY out of range.

Another big issue is the HD one. Anime is still being released for those sort of prices on DVD. When they release on Bluray, it often doubles. So you have the prospect of paying 15000+ for a single episode BD if you want to watch it at the same quality as it was broadcast originally. That is assuming they ever bothered to release a BD - most of the time they don`t.

On the other hand, online you can find full quality copies of the show. It`s hard to tempt someone into buying a low quality, extremely overpriced DVD... When they can get a full quality file for free. A 5 minute interview with a seiyuu isn`t going to cut it.

ETA;　Right now there are about 3 series that I would really like to own copies of. Own, not just have on my HDD recorder, or PC. But until they either a) Lower the prices of the DVDs to well below 5000 per 1 or 2 episode disc or b) Release it on BD for no more than the current price of the DVDs... It is out of the budget.