Universal Studios

[TruBlu2]

With the recent rumors that Universal Studios is perhaps rethinking its position with regards to Blu-Ray. What do think are the chances of this happening? Do you think it is possible they will go Blu exclusive. They may just go neutral to test the waters, which we all know the Blu fans will go crazy with sales numbers.

What are your thoughts?

[The Guardian]

I think with the huge negative reaction to Paramount's switch it is unlikely any studio will switch to exclusive anything for the next few months.

So I think the most to hope for is neutrality which would be cool too.

Once BD is outselling say 85-15 then they might think about not really exclusivity but simply not producing back titles on it, let it die slowly to avoid public reaction...

[GarettP]

They would be dumb to not consider the Blu side. I know they have, but after how everyone reacted last week with Paramount, maybe it opened their eyes?

[E-Dogg]

I think if Universal decides to support both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD it will end up being a huge advantage for us Blu owners. I think eventually the sales would show that we purchase more movies than the other side and that would lead them to eventually support Blu exclusively.

[stockstar1138]

ive estimated that Universal is getting around 15-25 million to be hd dvd exclusive (ive got no proof, just an educated guess). given now that this is a lot less then the Paramount deal, if the Universal deap ends, Uni will be demanding at least a hundred million more, which has to be thought out strategically by any company, even MS, if its worth the $. In the long run it all comes down to if blu-ray sales outnumber the amount of bribe $, and if you believe in HDM vs. DL content.

[lokus]

I think the most intelligent decision that could be made by Universal is to go neutral just as Warner has done. Let the consumers choose a side by releasing your movies on both format and allowing us to purchase the version that we think is superior.

[Icemage]

I don't know what's up with Universal, but here's something to chew on. Since April, Universal has released something on the order of 8-20 titles per month.

If you look at the upcoming release lists for HD DVD, however, Universal's slate is awfully thin. Sure, Evan Almighty/Knocked Up are there, but their announced catalog releases pretty much drop to zero after September 25.

Next week is the CEDIA convention; I'd expect a lot of releases from Universal to be announced at that point. If they don't, then let the speculation begin.

[The Guardian]

Something else to think about, let me know if I've got this right... While it is technically illegal to pay someone to drop someone else's product, it's not illegal to pay someone to support your own product...

So BDA can if they want publicly offer any incentives they want to get Universal to go Neutral. While M$ et al have to sneak around trying to counter them.

[ground chuck]

universal would benefit by making both format so it can get sales from both sides. BD exclusivity, is just around the corner.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by Icemage

I don't know what's up with Universal, but here's something to chew on. Since April, Universal has released something on the order of 8-20 titles per month.

If you look at the upcoming release lists for HD DVD, however, Universal's slate is awfully thin. Sure, Evan Almighty/Knocked Up are there, but their announced catalog releases pretty much drop to zero after September 25.

Next week is the CEDIA convention; I'd expect a lot of releases from Universal to be announced at that point. If they don't, then let the speculation begin.

yeah, but if they can't get spielburg (sp) approval, then really besides new releases, they don't have too much to throw out there. and speilburg could be having a major impact on going blu. think if he has told them ( he told paramount why not uni/) you can release JP, Jaws, ET, etc. but only if you do it on blu-ray too.

[Chris Gerhard]

Originally Posted by TruBlu2

With the recent rumors that Universal Studios is perhaps rethinking its position with regards to Blu-Ray. What do think are the chances of this happening? Do you think it is possible they will go Blu exclusive. They may just go neutral to test the waters, which we all know the Blu fans will go crazy with sales numbers.

What are your thoughts?

Are the recent rumors any more credible than the old rumors? The chances it happens are slightly less than zero percent unless something else happens that makes it more attractive. Right now staying HD DVD exclusive doesn't amount to much and going neutral doesn't amount to much. Why bother when all it immediately accomplishes is an admission the previous strategy was flawed? If Blu-ray gains a stranglehold and Universal wants to appeal to the Blu-ray enthusiasts, that will be the time when a move by Universal will attract customers to Blu-ray as sort of an announcement by Universal that Blu-ray is going to be the victor. I don't think the market reacts to a Universal move to neutral now, and Universal might want to see what Warner does. Nobody is buying the Warner hype that releasing on both formats is going to generate much in the way of profits.

Chris

[Deane Johnson]

One has to assume Universal has been HD-DVD exclusive due to a payoff. I should think that when the "Payoff" period ended, they'd have their hand out for more, and what they do in the future will probably depend on the existence or non-existence of any future payoff. Follow the money.

[BluBerry]

Notwithstanding the payoffs the studio recieved, before the Paramount deal went down there was still general consenses among insiders that Universal switching to neutral was imminent. Bill Hunt, whose opinion I have tremendous respect for, went on record predicting it would happen in January 2008--possibly sooner. I think the question is has the Paramount deal affected that decision? It's hard to say right now.

[atomik kinder]

Considering now that Universal is not the only HD DVD exclusive studio, I think it will be less likely that they will go Blu-Ray soon. They will probably hold out until they really have no other choice. Looking at what they have coming out the rest of the year, it doesn't look like they are going to have anything that is going to be a boost to HD DVD.

[Digital Filmmaker]

Perhaps the HD-DUD group went after Paramount because they knew that they may be losing Universal.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by atomik kinder

Considering now that Universal is not the only HD DVD exclusive studio, I think it will be less likely that they will go Blu-Ray soon. They will probably hold out until they really have no other choice. Looking at what they have coming out the rest of the year, it doesn't look like they are going to have anything that is going to be a boost to HD DVD.

IF they had an exclusivity agreement and IF that agreement is coming to an end and IF HD-DVD group doesn't pony up enough cash to maintain the status quo, it seems to this casual observer that you gave reason for them to at least go neutral to gen sales. How many Uni titles would you buy? I'm probably looking at 20 of their current HD-DVD releases.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Digital Filmmaker

Perhaps the HD-DUD group went after Paramount because they knew that they may be losing Universal.

I investigated this avenue as well, nothing to see there, Universal are as zealous as ever in their support for HD DVD. I don't think we will hear anything from them about Blu-ray releases at least until the new year, and that is based on BD slaughtering HD DVD this holiday season.

Penton-Man was pretty categorical about Universal when this issue came up in the insider thread as well.

I wouldn't put any money on Universal releasing a BD this year.

[Spankey]

Originally Posted by Digital Filmmaker

Perhaps the HD-DUD group went after Paramount because they knew that they may be losing Universal.

I think they went after Paramount for a variety of reasons.

HD-DVD had all but one (maybe two) summer blockbuster exclusives. Bourne and Knocked up.

Paramount's catalogue is not very deep, and they did have Transformers. HD-DVD essentially bought themselves a hit this holiday season which will keep them afloat awhile longer.

The dearth of noteworthy titles from Paramount coupled with the money makes sense for them. They were an easy target.

I assume Lionsgate may be as well.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Spankey

I assume Lionsgate may be as well.

Thankfully you made the wrong assumption .

Lionsgate are pretty resolute in their single format approach, and they don't really have the financial wherewithal to release on both formats.

[WickyWoo]

Notwithstanding the payoffs the studio recieved, before the Paramount deal went down there was still general consenses among insiders that Universal switching to neutral was imminent. Bill Hunt, whose opinion I have tremendous respect for, went on record predicting it would happen in January 2008--possibly sooner. I think the question is has the Paramount deal affected that decision? It's hard to say right now.

See, the big thing is that Uni can use dissappointing Xmas numbers to blame it on the HD DVD group that "They couldn't hold up their end of the bargain" and therefore save face.

That's the key