Interesting behind-the-scene information about Univeral - Blu-ray Forum

Rio · 01-05-2007, 07:19 PM

Interesting insider information about behind-the-door deal of Universal was leaked to Japanese discussion board.
Here you go...

1) Universal had an agreement which terminated the end of year 2006
- Based on the premise that Toshiba would release HD DVD player by the end of 2005 (actually it was pushed back to Spring of 2006),
- Universal would not release HD contents other than HD DVD,
- No obligation of the number of titles, but must release "strong" titles, including "King Kong",
- Money is paid under the pretext of investment for "King Kong".

2) In principle, now Universal is able to release HD titles other than HD DVD if they want. Univeral is not actively pushing HD business outside of US, its London office, which controls DVD business outside US, is not eager for pushing money hog HD title launch, that's the one of the reasons why Japanese Universal titles are not impressive unlike US.

3) There are another contracts with HD DVD studios, Universal, Warner and Paramount. Based on the premise of releasing player less than $500, studio has an obligation to release HD DVD titles at least 2 years since player release. Details of each contract varies on studios, but at least HD DVD title release is guaranteed until Spring 2008.

4) Rumor has it that Mr. Kornblau, president of Universal Home Entertainment, may (will) be fired by GE due to the business results. It also said that one of the reason why Univeral has kept releasing A class titles is because Kornblau needs to achieve the good sales of HD DVDs, since he is the person who committed HD DVD. Ironically, it was said he expressed that he wants to release titles as well on BD, however, since he committed to HD DVD publicly, it is difficult to announce BD title release. Therefore, there must be some face-saving reason for BD release, but PS3 may not be a good enough reason for it. If there would be no face-saving reason and Kornblau is fired, it would take at least another half year to decide BD release by the next management (it seems bad scenario for us).

thunderhawk · 01-05-2007, 10:35 PM

Are these rumours or .. are they more?

Could be possible, but it would be bizarre to me... I mean the studio contracts...
Seems very odd.

Maximus · 01-05-2007, 10:44 PM

Well I can understand the bit about firing that CEO, he seems to be pretty useless, top film of last year made it to Number 18 in the top 100, whereas Sony, an electronics company was the highest grossing studio. Seems rather odd to me.

If he is fired then we might yet see some Universal titles on BD after all. Lets all pray to our respective BD Gods now

.

hyperdine · 01-05-2007, 10:55 PM

The studio contract seems unlikely. The same would go for Blu-Ray studios. I don't think any studios are under contract to publish their movies on either format. However, I could be worng about this. This would be very interesting if this were to actually pan out.

Deciazulado · 01-05-2007, 11:13 PM

Not to add fuel to the fire

but one list of upcoming hd dvd releases i've seen has very few Unis. and i meaan very very few. While other studios have dozens more. Might indicate planning hadn't been decided beforehand. Which might indicate something's up. Or nothing.

thunderhawk · 01-05-2007, 11:23 PM

Let's hope so Deci

Let's hope so...

LembasBread · 01-05-2007, 11:35 PM

I'm not trying to sound like an HD DVD fanboy with their whole, "You just wait 'till CES when LionsGate and Disney go neutral!" baloney, but I'd be laughing my a$$ off as well as curious as to how HD DVD fanboys will react if Universal went neutral at CES or sometime thereafter.

Rio · 01-06-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderhawk

Are these rumours or .. are they more?

Could be possible, but it would be bizarre to me... I mean the studio contracts...
Seems very odd.

These info were originated from the reporter who is well known reporter about this format war, having strong connection with insiders deep in both camps. He has been visiting real facilities, interviewing presidents, execs of every home entertainment divisions of studios, key persons of CE/IT companies including Amir, Fujii-san/Yamada-san of Toshiba, as well as Sony, MEI, etc.

For me, his articles/opinions look quite balanced and make much sense. I put far, far much credibility on him than any propagandists who have never been to real facility and checked the latest status, but keep shouting obsolete information as the facs.

BTW, according to his article (actually, this article was first reported in the Hidef News thread by a HD DVD supporter, of couse he didn't touch anything about this), it mentioned the comment from HD DVD insider saying "January is too early (to Universal goes neutral). But at least they will continue HD DVD title release". At least, that HD DVD insider didn't refute the possibility.

mbslrm · 01-06-2007, 12:31 AM

Interesting stuff....

hyperdine · 01-06-2007, 12:47 AM

I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed

I really hope this comes to pass.

Blue · 01-06-2007, 12:55 AM

I have learnt to distrust much that is published, however it sort of make sense. Toshiba had their backs to the wall and HD-DVD is all about movies as they have been very slow with the burners. If Toshiba had not been able to secure at least one exclusive studio, I doubt HD-DVD would be here today. I'm certain even Fox and Disney would go exclusive HD-DVD if enough money was involved.

AlexKx · 01-06-2007, 01:02 AM

Wouldn't that mean a slam dunk for Blu-Ray at least in terms of the "format war"?

GaS · 01-06-2007, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexKx

Wouldn't that mean a slam dunk for Blu-Ray at least in terms of the "format war"?

Yeah, that would be about it. The funniest thing though is you know there would still be some zealots over at AVS that wouldn't give up even if BD had 100% studio support.

jorg · 01-06-2007, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LembasBread

I'm not trying to sound like an HD DVD fanboy with their whole, "You just wait 'till CES when LionsGate and Disney go neutral!" baloney, but I'd be laughing my a$$ off as well as curious as to how HD DVD fanboys will react if Universal went neutral at CES or sometime thereafter.

thats somthing i will want to see on film
lol
but it might happen would make snece

Dave · 01-06-2007, 08:28 AM

Lets hope its true!
If Universal goes neutral HD DVD is left with no exclusives...

Knight-Errant · 01-06-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Lets hope its true!
If Universal goes neutral HD DVD is left with no exclusives...

And we get their movies

phloyd · 01-06-2007, 05:18 PM

There is a post on the other forum that claims Universal BD in 2008.

I tend to think that this will be the time frame also for a number of reasons...

thunderhawk · 01-06-2007, 05:40 PM

Pfff yeah...

We'll just have to wait and see, thats my 2 cents.

LembasBread · 01-06-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Lets hope its true!
If Universal goes neutral HD DVD is left with no exclusives...

Well, they still have Weinstein... but I could give a rat's ass about The Matador and Scary Movie 19...

Deciazulado · 01-06-2007, 10:36 PM

Aren't Weinstein movies about 20?

01-05-2007, 07:19 PM	#1
Rio Active Member Member since:Oct 2006	Interesting behind-the-scene information about Univeral Interesting insider information about behind-the-door deal of Universal was leaked to Japanese discussion board. Here you go... 1) Universal had an agreement which terminated the end of year 2006 - Based on the premise that Toshiba would release HD DVD player by the end of 2005 (actually it was pushed back to Spring of 2006), - Universal would not release HD contents other than HD DVD, - No obligation of the number of titles, but must release "strong" titles, including "King Kong", - Money is paid under the pretext of investment for "King Kong". 2) In principle, now Universal is able to release HD titles other than HD DVD if they want. Univeral is not actively pushing HD business outside of US, its London office, which controls DVD business outside US, is not eager for pushing money hog HD title launch, that's the one of the reasons why Japanese Universal titles are not impressive unlike US. 3) There are another contracts with HD DVD studios, Universal, Warner and Paramount. Based on the premise of releasing player less than $500, studio has an obligation to release HD DVD titles at least 2 years since player release. Details of each contract varies on studios, but at least HD DVD title release is guaranteed until Spring 2008. 4) Rumor has it that Mr. Kornblau, president of Universal Home Entertainment, may (will) be fired by GE due to the business results. It also said that one of the reason why Univeral has kept releasing A class titles is because Kornblau needs to achieve the good sales of HD DVDs, since he is the person who committed HD DVD. Ironically, it was said he expressed that he wants to release titles as well on BD, however, since he committed to HD DVD publicly, it is difficult to announce BD title release. Therefore, there must be some face-saving reason for BD release, but PS3 may not be a good enough reason for it. If there would be no face-saving reason and Kornblau is fired, it would take at least another half year to decide BD release by the next management (it seems bad scenario for us).

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01-05-2007, 10:35 PM	#2
thunderhawk Moderator Member since:Jul 2004 Location:Belgium	Are these rumours or .. are they more? Could be possible, but it would be bizarre to me... I mean the studio contracts... Seems very odd.

01-05-2007, 10:44 PM	#3
Maximus Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2006	Well I can understand the bit about firing that CEO, he seems to be pretty useless, top film of last year made it to Number 18 in the top 100, whereas Sony, an electronics company was the highest grossing studio. Seems rather odd to me. If he is fired then we might yet see some Universal titles on BD after all. Lets all pray to our respective BD Gods now .

01-05-2007, 10:55 PM	#4
hyperdine Senior Member Member since:Sep 2006	The studio contract seems unlikely. The same would go for Blu-Ray studios. I don't think any studios are under contract to publish their movies on either format. However, I could be worng about this. This would be very interesting if this were to actually pan out.

01-05-2007, 11:13 PM	#5
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1159 Blu-ray collection:7044 DVD collection:4040	Not to add fuel to the fire but one list of upcoming hd dvd releases i've seen has very few Unis. and i meaan very very few. While other studios have dozens more. Might indicate planning hadn't been decided beforehand. Which might indicate something's up. Or nothing.

01-05-2007, 11:23 PM	#6
thunderhawk Moderator Member since:Jul 2004 Location:Belgium	Let's hope so Deci Let's hope so...

01-05-2007, 11:35 PM	#7
LembasBread Active Member Member since:Dec 2006 Blu-ray reviews:1	I'm not trying to sound like an HD DVD fanboy with their whole, "You just wait 'till CES when LionsGate and Disney go neutral!" baloney, but I'd be laughing my a$$ off as well as curious as to how HD DVD fanboys will react if Universal went neutral at CES or sometime thereafter.

01-06-2007, 12:31 AM	#9
mbslrm Active Member Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Mississauga, ON	Interesting stuff....

01-06-2007, 12:47 AM	#10
hyperdine Senior Member Member since:Sep 2006	I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed I really hope this comes to pass.

01-06-2007, 12:55 AM	#11
Blue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2005 Location:Melbourne Australia Blu-ray collection:206	I have learnt to distrust much that is published, however it sort of make sense. Toshiba had their backs to the wall and HD-DVD is all about movies as they have been very slow with the burners. If Toshiba had not been able to secure at least one exclusive studio, I doubt HD-DVD would be here today. I'm certain even Fox and Disney would go exclusive HD-DVD if enough money was involved.

01-06-2007, 01:02 AM	#12
AlexKx Active Member Member since:Jan 2005	Wouldn't that mean a slam dunk for Blu-Ray at least in terms of the "format war"?

01-06-2007, 08:28 AM	#15
Dave Expert Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Somewhere	Lets hope its true! If Universal goes neutral HD DVD is left with no exclusives...

01-06-2007, 05:18 PM	#17
phloyd Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2003 Location:California Trading Score:5	There is a post on the other forum that claims Universal BD in 2008. I tend to think that this will be the time frame also for a number of reasons...

01-06-2007, 05:40 PM	#18
thunderhawk Moderator Member since:Jul 2004 Location:Belgium	Pfff yeah... We'll just have to wait and see, thats my 2 cents.

01-06-2007, 10:36 PM	#20
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1159 Blu-ray collection:7044 DVD collection:4040	Aren't Weinstein movies about 20?

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