Nearly Half of HDTV Owners Aren't Getting the Whole Picture; Best Buy
Blue Shirts Help Educate Consumers About Having a True HDTV Experience

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2006--Driven by falling prices
and rising consumer interest in high-definition (HD) programming, Best
Buy reported triple-digit growth in flat-panel TV sales in December.
The excitement over HDTV is expected to continue into 2006 with
customers looking to complete their home theaters in time for the big
game and the upcoming Hollywood awards season.


According to a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Data on
behalf of Best Buy, home theaters have become mainstream in America,
with one in three consumers being interested in the concept of a home
entertainment system. However, consumers continue to be confused about
the elements of home theater and HDTV - what do they need and how does
it all work?

"HD has undeniably become the new benchmark in the home entertainment
experience and the driving force behind the popularity of the HDTV's,"
said Mike Vitelli, senior vice president of consumer electronics for
Best Buy. "While HD can be confusing, Best Buy's Blue Shirts are
prepared to guide customers through the transition, just as they did
when the DVD player replaced the VCR or the CD replaced the cassette
tape, and help them understand which HDTV and home theater system best
fit their lifestyles."

Today's home theater consists of five important components, including:


1. TV - The HDTV is the centerpiece of the home theater and
is available in a variety of formats to fit customers'
needs - from Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) or plasma flat
panel televisions that can be hung on the wall, to Liquid
Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) and Digital Light Processing
(DLP) and projection televisions that offer exceptional
picture quality at a lower price than flat panel units.
Finding the best television for a customer's needs depends
on the size and shape of the room, how the home theater
will be used, any existing home theater equipment or
furniture to incorporate, and budget.
-- HDTVs are more affordable than ever; 21 percent of
HDTV owners earn less than $25,000 in annual household
income.(a)

2. Source - While HDTVs are in 14 percent of American homes,
nearly one quarter (23 percent) of HDTV owners do not
subscribe to HD programming.(a) Best Buy Blue Shirts can
help customers subscribe to HD programming packages
through digital satellite or digital cable, or connect via
antenna to receive over-the-air HD content to get the most
out of their HDTVs.

3. Audio - High Definition programming is broadcast in 5.1
surround sound. With a surround sound speaker system, a
consumer is literally in the middle of the High Def
action. Unfortunately, approximately 45 percent of HDTV
owners do not own a surround sound speaker system which
means they are not getting the complete High Def
experience.(a) Best Buy offers a wide variety of
receivers, speakers, and "home theater in a box" systems
to complement any HDTV and bring the true HD experience to
life.

4. Connections - Improper connections can spoil a home
theater experience. Premium cables and connectors deliver
all the sparkle, sizzle and boom of the big screen, and
Blue Shirt home theater specialists are always available
to help consumers distinguish between DVI, HDMI, RGB and
the many other connection options on the market.

5. Installation - A state-of-the-art home theater doesn't
have to look like a laboratory. Best Buy's professional
installers can wall mount, connect, program and even hide
any home theater component for a clean, uncluttered, and,
most importantly, an easy-to-use system.


Magnolia Home Theater

In addition to hundreds of brand name home theater products, Best Buy
also offers Magnolia Home Theater (MHT) in more than 100 of its stores
across the country. These stores-within-stores offer consumers a
unique blend of premium home theater brands, comfortable demonstration
rooms, in-home consultation and custom design, knowledgeable home
theater consultants, and service and installation experts. To locate
an MHT store, visit www.magnoliaav.com.

Female Approval Factor

Increased popularity of home theater systems has also had an impact in
product design. According to the Consumer Electronics Association
(CEA), women influence 88 percent of household consumer electronics
purchases and account for roughly 50 percent of the spending. Once
bulky and obtrusive, home theater systems are now being designed with
the female eye in mind. The sleeker design of flat panels is
particularly attractive to women, who traditionally make most of the
home decor decisions in the family. Additionally, many of the
family-oriented uses of home theater, from family movie or gaming
nights to photo viewing gatherings, are also appealing to moms.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is an innovative Fortune 100 growth
company that continually strives to create superior customer
experiences. Through more than 930 retail stores across the United
States and in Canada, our employees connect customers with technology
and entertainment products and services that make life easier and more
fun. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment
software, appliances and related services. A Minneapolis-based
company, our operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com and
BestBuy.ca), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com
and GeekSquad.ca) and Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com). We
support our communities through employee volunteerism and grants from
The Best Buy Children's Foundation.

(a) Forrester's Consumer Technographics Q2 2005 North American Survey