They should not be surprising. I've said here before that Kodak continues to do R&D on analog materials. The problem is that the bang for buck is going down due to analog being a rather mature field of research.
Therefore, the new stuff is coming out, but more slowly than before, and also at a reduced rate to match the decline in the market.
PE
Dear Ron,
I don't think that we actually see a reduced rate of new films coming into the market. Kodak ist still very active with 8 (!) improved films during the last 14 months. Even in the golden age of film photography it was very seldom that such a lot of films during such a short time hit the market.
And all the other manufacturers are very active, too.
During the last three years more the 20 (!) new and/or improved films were introduced:
Fuji PRO 160S and 160C, Fuji Velvia 100, Kodak Portra 800, Spur Orthopan UR/Adox CMS 20, Rollei IR 820/400, Rollei Ortho 25, Rollei Pan 25, Rollei Scanfilm CN 400 Pro, Rollei Slide Direkt, Kodak Portra 160 NC and VC, Kodak Portra 400 NC and VC, Fuji T64, Fuji Provia 400X, Kodak Farbwelt 100 and 200 (I think these films are called Kodak Gold outside Germany), Gigabitfilm GTP 32 / Rollei ATP V1, Rollei Digibase CN 200, the improved Kodak TMY in the beginning of 2008, and probably already this year the new Rollei 200 ASA BW film.
And furthermore we have seen the reintroduction of Ilford SFX 200, Efke IR 820 and Fuji Velvia 50.
A lot of stuff to test....

.
Regards,
Jana