Hobbit hype is just that, hype.
There is very little cross-over sales.
Therefore, SS is not banking on the Hobbit media blitz
The Dark rider and Sauron PFs are slow sellers
The last half of 2012 was the litmus test for SS
Frodo and Sam are the last of the maquettes
Dark Rider and Sauron are the last of the PFs
SS is done with Middle Earth
my 2 cents
You couldn't be more wrong.