Dreamworks and Paramount drop Blu-ray
Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Animation studio have both confirmed today that they will be dropping the Blu-ray format and will move to HD-DVD exclusivity worldwide. The first exclusive HD-DVD titles will be Transformers, Shrek the Third and Blades of Glory.
Paramount CEO Brad Grey said “I believe HD-DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount“
Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said “We decided to release ‘Shrek the Third’ and other DreamWorks Animation titles exclusively on HD-DVD because we believe it is the best format to bring high quality home entertainment to a key segment of our audience - families“
Although this is good news for HD-DVD owners, I found it quite a surprising announcement given the amount of pushing Sony has been doing on it’s Blu-ray versus HD-DVD sales figures.
Is this the start of things to come? Perhaps Sony’s previous custom format failures is tarnishing the Blu-ray reputation before it even gets going.
Posted by Bleem - August 21st, 2007 -
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
anybody remember those mini-discs they tried pushing on us a few years back?
August 24th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I read that they were paid $150 million to do this and that it’s an 18 month deal after which they may revert back to multi-format production (do a google search). This is a show of desparation as Blu-ray is actually moving ahead in numbers on the back of the PS3. But Paramount is only interested in making money and if someone waved a $150 million cheque in front of you what would you do? Guess I won’t be watching Transformers in high def now.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Blu-ray dying would be believable if Disney drops support and/or Walmart is selling HD-DVD exclusively.
This is more like HD-DVD getting life support.