Paramount denies Blu-Ray defection

vurbano

On Double Secret Probation
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Apr 1, 2004
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Paramount denies Blu-Ray defection

Ben Parfitt Today, 11:37am

Claims that contract clause allows withdrawal in the event of Warner dropping HD-DVD support

Following the recent news that Warner Bros is to drop its support of Toshiba’s HD-DVD hi-def movie format, fellow movie studio Paramount has denied that it is to do the same.

Bloomberg reports that US newspapers are claiming that Paramount has a clause in its HD-DVD exclusivity contract that allows it to withdraw if Warner drops its support of the format.

However, Paramount spokesperson Brenda Ciccone told the news agency that “Paramount’s current plan is to continue to support the HD-DVD format”. Toshiba added that the reports are nothing more than speculative.

Paramount denies Blu-Ray defection - www.mcvuk.com
 
"current" being the key word.

Shouldn't we all know by now not to believe what the studio says, especially Paramount?



Herre's digital Bills new update:

The Digital Bits - Celebrating Film in the Digital Age

[FONT=arial, helvetica, courier, *] Well... we've had SOME confirmation this morning of the details of the Financial Times story from last night. While the studio isn't yet commenting, reliable industry sources are telling us that Paramount is indeed preparing to end their HD-DVD support and announce a return to the Blu-ray fold. Details are currently being finalized, and an announcement is expected as soon as they're complete. Paramount's first new Blu-rays will almost certainly include many of those titles that were cancelled last year, but that were already packaged and ready for shipping, so you could see them in stores very quickly once the studio announces.

Meanwhile, sources are telling us that Universal has also been talking with the BDA, and is looking to follow Paramount and Warner's lead as soon as possible
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Ahh from the Blueray troll in chief's mouth himself. quotes from Bill "the Shill".

"Details are currently being finalized" i.e. "I'm adding this so that if it never happens I look like I didnt make it up"

"While the studio isn't yet commenting, reliable industry sources....." i.e. Beatboy heard it in a BR.com forum
 
I believe bill about as much as I believe the link you posted ;)
However, Paramount spokesperson Brenda Ciccone told the news agency that “Paramount’s current plan is to continue to support the HD-DVD format”. Toshiba added that the reports are nothing more than speculative.
 
"Current" "Support"

Nothing about not going neutral.

I do NOT believe for a second that they would drop HDDVD completely. However neutrality looks like a good chance now.

Im shocked that it may happen this fast, I woulda figured 6 mo's.
 
There is nothing in that areticle that says that they cannot support Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Granted it be better if they opt out of the HD-DVD contract and go Blu-ray exclusive.

I think that Univeral will go Blu-ray before Paramount.
 
Honestly I don't believe any of these studios after Warner's bold faced lie during the month of December.

I could see Paramount going back to Blu after BD-Live. The whole reason they claimed to have gone HD-DVD exclusive was because of Blu's (at the time) lack of interactivity and immature authoring tools.
 
Universal and Paramount are probably going to kill eachother racing for the door. Once Warner left they know HD-DVD is gone. No way Fox or Disney would suddenly defect now. They know they are on a dead platform, just a matter of when they can get on the BD bandwagon. They will continue to release HD-DVD as long as they are contractually committed to do so. HD-DVD may have new releases for another year, but good luck trying to buy locally, luckly it will be easy to mail order them if you choose to buy them.
 

Still Jumping On WB

Will HD-DVD survive CES?