By 2009, more than half of the UK's home videorentals will be online transactions, according to a new report from ScreenDigest.

Currently, online rentals (ordered via theInternet and delivered by post) are just over 10% of the UK market.

The report predicts that similar patterns willemerge in Europe, with Germany's rentals predicted to be 40% online by 2009.There are also thriving markets in France and Scandinavia.

In the US, Screen Digest predicts that onlinerental will have just over 25% of the market by 2009.

Screen Digest estimates that there are currently almost 5.5 million onlineDVD rental service subscribers in the US and just under 1 million in Europe.

The online DVD rental market is expected to generate more than $1bn inconsumer spending in the US and Europe this year.