Chance of STARZ going neutral?

[XanderAE]

Hi guys,

I was over at AVSForum just when i see this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=887081

As you can see, it details a conversation that a HD DVD fan had with the PR guy at Starz Home Entertainment about possibly releasing titles on both HD formats. Make of it what you will, but I thought I best inform you.

HD DVD fud or serious? Should there be concern for a possible piece of damaging news for exclusive support? What's funny is the people's responses on this thread!

The OP's post goes as follows:

"As much as I haven't really cared about that many Blu-Ray exclusive titles so far, the STARZ announcement burned me with the likes of Dawn of the Dead and Halloween. So I decided to try and contact someone at STARZ / Anchor Bay that could explain to me why they decided to offer these only on Blu-Ray.

Today I reached the President of their PR department, Ed Peters, and I explained that I was very upset by their decision to support BD exclusively. What immediately struck me was how amazingly informed he was. He was well aware of the disc capacity of both formats, the models involved (he actually owns a Toshiba A1 and a PS3), and the sales figures involved with both formats.

But what really blew me away and gave me GREAT hope for the future of HD-DVD is that he specifically referred to today's press release by Warner Brothers, citing their breakthrough 250K unit sales of "300" and Ron Sander's quote, "This phenomenal response to '300’' is the latest proof that our approach [dual format]makes the most sense in today’s market and has enabled Warner Home Video to continue to lead the market in high definition sales."

He said to me, verbatim, "Believe me, there are many studio heads reading that quote this morning with great interest."

He also stated that he could not tell me, even off the record, their future plans for the HD market. He did say, however, that I should be "patient", implying that their stance could change in the near future.

I'm no insider, nor would ever claim to be -- I'm simply an HD-DVD fan and Anchor Bay supporter that is voicing his opinion on my preferred format. But I was blown away by his knowledge, his willingness to talk to me (for about 10 minutes), and his sincere dedication to film and HD in general. He even told me he personally prefers the HD-DVD version when a film is released on both formats.

I left with the impression that my favorite horror films will definitely see the light of day on my format sooner rather than later. And I'm sharing this experience with other HD-DVD supporters who share my interest in these films. I don't want to post his phone number because I don't want people attacking him on all fronts. I'm sure you could obtain the # as easily as I did if you really want to speak with him."

[reiella]

Well, alot depends on how the numbers fell really. There's an obvious reason why this title sold so well for the HD audience. And it's hardly the first title WB has released simultaneously on both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray... Just seems an odd public accreditation in all, but time will tell.

[Xerious]

this is HD-DVD fanboy FUD... when warner announced 250K did they deliniate between which format sold more? come on now... why would any perfer the HD-DVD format?!

[Musashi]

The guy in PR doesn't make the calls on what format gets the nod. I saw that thread before, for now, its just a fanboy torturing himself with false hope.

[atomik kinder]

Yeah, and the president of PR will talk to just anybody that calls. Besides, when Starz went Blu-ray, the HD DVD fanboys were all claiming that they were such a minor player it wouldn't matter. And, I can't see anything that Starz would have to offer that would pull numbers like 300.

[MrBogey]

Technically Starz never said they were exclusive. Just that they are going to produce Blu-ray and take note of the the war fares. They could go HD DVD but if Blu-ray gets strong enough to make HD DVD a minor format in all terms then they'll stay.

[BLu-Balls]

Doesn't PR stand for "PUBLIC RELATIONS"? That tool from AVS HD DUD Fanboy and everybody else should know that what he was fed was nothing but a placebo. He may think that Starz is going neutral but that sure as shit ain't going to happen.

[atomik kinder]

Of course Starz never said they wouldn't release anything on HD DVD. If they are testing the waters of Hi Def with Blu-ray, with their catalog, I don't think they are going to get the sales that they want to even warrant releasing anything on HD DVD. He picks a small company to start a rumor about, just like Weinstein possibly going neutral. If you ask me, I think Weinstein is not going neutral, but exclusively Blu. So anyway, if the guy had said he contacted Disney... everyone would know he was full of crap.

[darkpoet25]

I wouldn't put stock in Starz going to hd dud. From reading the news thread that Josh put up about them going exclusively Blu Ray, I doubt it. Remember these fanboys also said that Disney was going to hd dud, when they announced moives for download on the 360. Besides, isn't the PR's job to hype things for people to buy into anyway?

[XanderAE]

Good replies guys, I figured it was some wishful thinking on a HD DVD fan's behalf. Personally, it doesn't make a difference to me whether they release on HD DVD as well, because I still get Blu versions... it's just nicer to hear about exclusivity for Blu's sake. Thanks for the replies!

[Blu Tiger]

Originally Posted by XanderAE

Personally, it doesn't make a difference to me whether they release on HD DVD as well, because I still get Blu versions...

It matters to me because anything bad for HD DVD is good for blu-ray. I want this war to be over now. We just have to do our part and educate people that don't know the facts about the two formats.

[WickyWoo]

It's just typical rep/exec doublespeak.

They never rule anything out completely. The guy was just trying to get rid of them. If trends keep going the way they are, and there's no reason to believe they won't, they're not going to because "demand isn't there"

Everyone in the buis knows that 300 is an anomoly, it's HD porn for the enthusiasts and will draw in a lot of PS3/addon buyers that don't buy a lot of HD movies

[dialog_gvf]

Time for someone to post the comment from March 2006 that Disney would "probably" release in both formats.

How are those Disney HD DVDs?

Gary

[richteer]

I think at this stage of the game, any Blu-exclusive studio becoming neutral would be idiotic: it would prolong the war (which is very nearly over anyway), with all the negative stuff that would engender. Ditto for any neutral studio considering going HD DVD-exclusive.

OTOH, neutral or HD DVD-exclusive studios switching to Blu (or at least becoming neutral in the latter case) make very good sense as it would make the end of the war that much closer.

At the end of the day, if HD media is to become mainstream, only ONE format should exist. Fortunately, the format that has the best chance of winning also happens to be the technically superior one.

[JBlacklow]

Bob is a liar and a fanatic. Either the guy told him what he wanted to hear, or Bob made it all up.

[DrinkMore]

This day in age - I will believe it when I see it/hear it from the horses mouth.

None of this h said, she said, 100th/3rd party crap anymore. Especially someone on AVS forum of all ****ing places.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by XanderAE

[B]He said to me, verbatim, "Believe me, there are many studio heads reading that quote this morning with great interest."

But of course. What would be of great interest will come later this Friday and subsequent Fridays as we see a) the breakdown of that 250k units sold, and b) how long can 300 stay in the Top 10 list on either formats.

That will be very indicative. As for the OP's pondering, what everyone said about PR managers: their job is trying to appease you once they've made their decision.


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