BBC claims DVD sales record

The second series of The Office has become the fastest-selling DVD tittle ever - narrowly beating previous record-holder Phoenix Nights.

A total of160,458 copies were sold in its first week of release, 142,782 on DVD and the rest on video.

Both totals exceed the record for the fastest-selling TV title that Peter Kay's sitcom held for just one week. Its second series sold 139,282 copies on DVD and a combined total of 159,929.

The Office also sold 74 per cent more that the first series did this time last year ­ a title that has gone on to sell 840,000 DVDs so far.

Its creator Ricky Gervais said: "I'm really pleased to have retained the fastest selling record".

BBC Worldwide's Stuart Snaith said: "We're well on track to hit the magic million mark for Series 2, it's a brilliant series with some great extras on the DVD."

Sales kicked off last Monday with a signing at the Virgin Megastore in London's Oxford Street with Gervais and co-stars Lucy Davis, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook and Ewen MacIntosh.

To buy The Office series 2 at Amazon.co.uk

Published: 28 Oct 2003