Will the Paramount deal cause Universal to go neutral? - Blu-ray Forum

Sylin · 08-22-2007, 04:04 PM

Just brainstorming here. I apologize if someone has already posted this thought, but let's be honest: a Search for "Universal" and "Paramount" on this site right now brings up thousands of results. So here it is...

If I was Universal, I'd be PISSED right now at the HD-DVD camp. I've loved you. I've blindly followed you. And I've supported you (sometimes to the detriment of my image) to the public and the press. And this is how you repay my loyalty? By tossing $150,000,000 at my competitor? Where's my $150,000,000? I'd want that, and MORE, considering.

If I were a Universal exec, I'd be looking at ways to leverage myself to Blu-ray right now and tell HD-DVD they can kiss their exclusivity goodbye. Considering Universal's abysmal box office performance this year, they'll need to release their movies on DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray, UMD, VHS, iTunes, and daguerreotype flip books just to make a profit.

Now, that aside, this is all business and businesses exist for one reason: to make money. So it's a shrewd move on Paramount's part. They get $150,000,000 in their war chest. They make their Q4 numbers. They'll release "Transformers" and "Shrek the Third" on HD-DVD and DVD and make millions of dollars. And then in 18 months, when the deal expires (or if HD-DVD dies before then) Paramount will release those same 2 films on Blu-ray and make even MORE millions. The only thing they are "guilty" of is eroding public confidence in either format. But they have $150M reasons not to care about that right now, since the public has such a short-term memory and will forgive them next year anyhow.

cruzzer cruz · 08-22-2007, 04:11 PM

I don't know, maybe they're just happy to have a someone else go exclusive. It might make them feel a little less lonely over on that grim, ill-fated side of the war.

monkyman · 08-22-2007, 04:12 PM

I'm sure they have recieved plenty to stay exclusive.

CptGreedle · 08-22-2007, 04:14 PM

Having Paramount with them might give them confidence to stay HD-DUD.
But it is true, they want money and sooner or later will see that Blu-ray MAKES MORE.
Unless the HD-DVD camp is going to pay off all their supporters and pay-off all the neutral studios, I don't think they are going to stay that way. In fact, if they did, HD-DVD would surely go bankrupt.

grip24 · 08-22-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikcizokm

Just brainstorming here. I apologize if someone has already posted this thought, but let's be honest: a Search for "Universal" and "Paramount" on this site right now brings up thousands of results. So here it is...

If I was Universal, I'd be PISSED right now at the HD-DVD camp. I've loved you. I've blindly followed you. And I've supported you (sometimes to the detriment of my image) to the public and the press. And this is how you repay my loyalty? By tossing $150,000,000 at my competitor? Where's my $150,000,000? I'd want that, and MORE, considering.

If I were a Universal exec, I'd be looking at ways to leverage myself to Blu-ray right now and tell HD-DVD they can kiss their exclusivity goodbye. Considering Universal's abysmal box office performance this year, they'll need to release their movies on DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray, UMD, VHS, iTunes, and daguerreotype flip books just to make a profit.

Now, that aside, this is all business and businesses exist for one reason: to make money. So it's a shrewd move on Paramount's part. They get $150,000,000 in their war chest. They make their Q4 numbers. They'll release "Transformers" and "Shrek the Third" on HD-DVD and DVD and make millions of dollars. And then in 18 months, when the deal expires (or if HD-DVD dies before then) Paramount will release those same 2 films on Blu-ray and make even MORE millions. The only thing they are "guilty" of is eroding public confidence in either format. But they have $150M reasons not to care about that right now, since the public has such a short-term memory and will forgive them next year anyhow.

Whos to say they havent been getting pay also..

Chris Gerhard · 08-22-2007, 06:26 PM

The answer to the question posed is no.

Chris

Blubaru · 08-22-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

The answer to the question posed is no.

Chris

I disagree. I believe that the bribing of Paramount was in response to the inevitable Universal switch over.

Chris Gerhard · 08-22-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaru

I disagree. I believe that the bribing of Paramount was in response to the inevitable Universal switch over.

The answer would still be no, it wouldn't be because Paramount became HD DVD exclusive. I do hope you are right however, although I have no reason to believe you are.

Chris

Blubaru · 08-22-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

The answer would still be no, it wouldn't be because Paramount became HD DVD exclusive. I do hope you are right however, although I have no reason to believe you are.

Chris

Universal has said it before. They don’t give a damn about HD-DVD.

They are in it for the $$$. M$ know that Universals contract is running out in OCT and there is a good chance that Universal will go neutral. That would have left HD-DVD with Zero HD-DVD exclusives. HD-DVD would die and that would kill any hopes of M$’s Internet Download service becoming a reality in the next 10 years.

Universal will go wherever the money is.

Universal knows that they have done everything that it can for HD-DVD and now its time to rake in the Blu-ray $$$.

Sylin · 08-23-2007, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

The answer to the question posed is no.

Chris

Wow, thanks for that enlightening post. I too troll through forums and plop down random remarks and then don't back them up with any solid data, or even assertive opinions.

Watch this.

"The moon is made of cheese. End of discussion."

J/K - It's late and I'm tired, but I am a little humored by your post. Thanks.

PS... I do believe that Universal's posturing and comments made after the Paramount announcement are proof that they are receiving payola. But how long that lasts before they ask for another nibble and the HD DVD war chest is empty...

aristotles · 08-23-2007, 05:44 AM

I think Universal is about to go either neutral or even Blu-ray exclusive.

My spidey sense is tingling for two reasons:
1. A Universal exec commented on the Paramount move the HD DVD exclusivity as being a mistake.
2. Someone quoted a person in the insiders thread concerning an upcoming announcement that could be studio related, will make the Paramount move look small in comparison and may end the war within 3-4 months in favour of blu-ray.

If this is about to happen, I doubt it has anything to do with Paramount switching and Sony could be about to announce something hardware related which could destroy Toshiba's chances in the market before Christmas.

I just got this really strong feeling when I read a quote from AVS and my first thought was "universal".

08-22-2007, 04:04 PM	#1
Sylin Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Nashville Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:159	Will the Paramount deal cause Universal to go neutral? Just brainstorming here. I apologize if someone has already posted this thought, but let's be honest: a Search for "Universal" and "Paramount" on this site right now brings up thousands of results. So here it is... If I was Universal, I'd be PISSED right now at the HD-DVD camp. I've loved you. I've blindly followed you. And I've supported you (sometimes to the detriment of my image) to the public and the press. And this is how you repay my loyalty? By tossing $150,000,000 at my competitor? Where's my $150,000,000? I'd want that, and MORE, considering. If I were a Universal exec, I'd be looking at ways to leverage myself to Blu-ray right now and tell HD-DVD they can kiss their exclusivity goodbye. Considering Universal's abysmal box office performance this year, they'll need to release their movies on DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray, UMD, VHS, iTunes, and daguerreotype flip books just to make a profit. Now, that aside, this is all business and businesses exist for one reason: to make money. So it's a shrewd move on Paramount's part. They get $150,000,000 in their war chest. They make their Q4 numbers. They'll release "Transformers" and "Shrek the Third" on HD-DVD and DVD and make millions of dollars. And then in 18 months, when the deal expires (or if HD-DVD dies before then) Paramount will release those same 2 films on Blu-ray and make even MORE millions. The only thing they are "guilty" of is eroding public confidence in either format. But they have $150M reasons not to care about that right now, since the public has such a short-term memory and will forgive them next year anyhow.

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08-22-2007, 04:11 PM	#2
cruzzer cruz Active Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Bronx, NY Blu-ray reviews:1	I don't know, maybe they're just happy to have a someone else go exclusive. It might make them feel a little less lonely over on that grim, ill-fated side of the war.

08-22-2007, 04:12 PM	#3
monkyman Special Member Member since:Jun 2007	I'm sure they have recieved plenty to stay exclusive.

08-22-2007, 04:14 PM	#4
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Having Paramount with them might give them confidence to stay HD-DUD. But it is true, they want money and sooner or later will see that Blu-ray MAKES MORE. Unless the HD-DVD camp is going to pay off all their supporters and pay-off all the neutral studios, I don't think they are going to stay that way. In fact, if they did, HD-DVD would surely go bankrupt.

08-22-2007, 06:26 PM	#6
Chris Gerhard Banned Member since:Feb 2007	The answer to the question posed is no. Chris

08-23-2007, 05:44 AM	#11
aristotles Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Canada Blu-ray collection:401 Blu-ray reviews:1	I think Universal is about to go either neutral or even Blu-ray exclusive. My spidey sense is tingling for two reasons: 1. A Universal exec commented on the Paramount move the HD DVD exclusivity as being a mistake. 2. Someone quoted a person in the insiders thread concerning an upcoming announcement that could be studio related, will make the Paramount move look small in comparison and may end the war within 3-4 months in favour of blu-ray. If this is about to happen, I doubt it has anything to do with Paramount switching and Sony could be about to announce something hardware related which could destroy Toshiba's chances in the market before Christmas. I just got this really strong feeling when I read a quote from AVS and my first thought was "universal".

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