Sony Hits New UK Console Milestones

Sony has announced the crossing of two important sales milestones in the UK, with the PlayStation 2 selling over one million units during 2006, while the PSP has passed the half million mark. In June, the UK installed user base for the PlayStation 2 was put at 7.2 million (beating the installed base of the PSone), which suggests that the current total should now be around 8 million – although Sony has not yet given a precise figure. As of November 30th, the PlayStation 2 has sold 37.14 million units in European and PAL territories, with the UK market the largest within that group. The success of the PSP has been difficult to gauge in the UK since its launch in September, following stock problems with both it and the rival Nintendo DS portable. Sony is now claiming a total of 610,000 sales until December 10th, with the end of year total likely to be close to 750,000. Speaking to UK trade paper MCV, analyst Nick Parker commented: "The UK has performed better than any other European territory, and Ray Maguire will have undoubtedly hit his targets once again. And PSP will have at least met, if not exceeded, Sony’s expectations for the UK."