Ahead of CES, Warner announces Blu-ray exclusivity
Saturday 05th January 2008, 10:10:00 PM, written by Carl Bender
Coming forty-eight hours before they were scheduled to participate in
an HD DVD press event at the Wynn resort in Las Vegas, Warner Bros
shook the industry Friday by announcing that as of late May, they will
become an exclusive backer of the Blu-ray high-def optical format.
As reason for their decision, Warner cited the state of consumer confusion caused by the format war as being the primary motivating factor in attempting to galvanize both Hollywood and retail behind a single format. Long viewed by industry watchers as the studio best positioned to influence the eventual DVD successor, Warner Bros. commands the highest share of the domestic US home video market. High profile BD/HD releases to date by Warner have included Planet Earth, Harry Potter, and the best-selling high-def title to date, 300. Several others for the time being have in fact remained HD DVD exclusive, including V for Vendetta, Batman Begins, and The Matrix.
In addition to Warner themselves, sister company New Line Cinema (of Lord of the Rings fame) has announced that they will be following Warner in becoming Blu-ray exclusive.
With Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks left as the only remaining studios openly supporting the HD DVD format, questions have been raised as to whether further announcements from HD DVD supporting companies may be forthcoming at CES or soon thereafter. As a clear indicator of the gravity associated with Warner's announcement, Toshiba has since informed press that the January 6th HD DVD promotional event has been canceled entirely.
As reason for their decision, Warner cited the state of consumer confusion caused by the format war as being the primary motivating factor in attempting to galvanize both Hollywood and retail behind a single format. Long viewed by industry watchers as the studio best positioned to influence the eventual DVD successor, Warner Bros. commands the highest share of the domestic US home video market. High profile BD/HD releases to date by Warner have included Planet Earth, Harry Potter, and the best-selling high-def title to date, 300. Several others for the time being have in fact remained HD DVD exclusive, including V for Vendetta, Batman Begins, and The Matrix.
In addition to Warner themselves, sister company New Line Cinema (of Lord of the Rings fame) has announced that they will be following Warner in becoming Blu-ray exclusive.
With Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks left as the only remaining studios openly supporting the HD DVD format, questions have been raised as to whether further announcements from HD DVD supporting companies may be forthcoming at CES or soon thereafter. As a clear indicator of the gravity associated with Warner's announcement, Toshiba has since informed press that the January 6th HD DVD promotional event has been canceled entirely.
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