Best Buy thinks it does HDTV right -- for guys and gals

Has the battle over the television remote ever been won? The fierce battles over which programs to watch, when to watch them and who would like to watch them have been the center of many household struggles all over the world. Yes, the blow(s) have been softened by TiVos and multiple televisions in many cases, but with certain prime-time (and other) programming now being beamed through the air in hi-def format, the battle may have been re-ignited.

In that arena, a new study by the largest consumer electronics retailer in the U.S. -- Best Buy Company Inc. (NYSE:BBY) -- concluded that the influence of women on consumer electronics purchases is quickly growing. The interest in consumer electronics goes even beyond aesthetics, which comes as a surprise to many. The survey had a result which I found astounding -- women have a much higher interest in the technical aspects of setting up a home theater. Wow.

What is Best Buy doing? Why, ensuring its female contingent is properly served, of course, "Deciding on an HDTV is an emotional purchase – we've heard from many couples that it can be as complex a decision as deciding on a car or even a house," according to a Best Buy executive. A television purchase is up there with a car or even a house? Holy cow those are some odd priorities. But, as the television is such a multi-modal entertainment device, I guess it makes sense.

I guess those who thought that the days of the television were over with the advent of the Internet did not consider the female factor in the equation -- as I didn't see "Broadband Internet Access" in that list.