Studio exclusivity deals?

[Petey Pablo]

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

[glenn22]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

A lot of people feel that the reason Warner released a lot of movies on HD-DVD that weren't also released on Blu-ray had a lot to do with Mr. Nickerson being in charge there. He was very much pro-HD-DVD and used to work for Toshiba. He has since resigned (no one knows if he was forced or not) and since then Warner seems to have warmed up to Blu-ray a lot.

The Universal thing has never really been confirmed in any way. Execs from Universal have been sniffing around Blu-ray facilities for quite a while, so there is interest, but impossible to say if that will turn into anything or not.

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

which titles are you referring to?

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

Universal is schizo if you ask me. The Universal Music Group is a member of the BDA but their movie division is hd-dud. Makes no sense to me.

[WickyWoo]

There's 25 titles the vast majority of which are still unnannounced on Blu-Ray

There was definately something changing hands on those titles, but those deals are reportedly only for a year, so expect to see them trickle out over the next year

Universal is schizo if you ask me. The Universal Music Group is a member of the BDA but their movie division is hd-dud. Makes no sense to me.

Universal Music was retailed by Vivendi, same name, totally diff company

[Petey Pablo]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

There's 25 titles the vast majority of which are still unnannounced on Blu-Ray

There was definately something changing hands on those titles, but those deals are reportedly only for a year, so expect to see them trickle out over the next year



Universal Music was retailed by Vivendi, same name, totally diff company

Wouldn't there be some sort of cold shoulder given by the rest of the BDA to WB for those kind of actions based on their place they hold as Board member?

[Petey Pablo]

Originally Posted by jermwhl

which titles are you referring to?

Just like Batman Begin, and The Matrix ect..

[radagast]

Originally Posted by glenn22

A lot of people feel that the reason Warner released a lot of movies on HD-DVD that weren't also released on Blu-ray had a lot to do with Mr. Nickerson being in charge there. He was very much pro-HD-DVD and used to work for Toshiba. He has since resigned (no one knows if he was forced or not) and since then Warner seems to have warmed up to Blu-ray a lot.

I personally believe the order was reversed. I believe Warner warmed to Blu and Nickerson left becuase of it OR was asked to leave.

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

No this was not a backroom situation. Because HD DVD has all of its standards set, WB was able to do all of the extra's the way the wanted to do them. Bluray specifications were not complete, and WB did not want to do unequal releases on both formats, the wanted them to be the same. Once Bluray's standards are finalized, you see those titles released with the same extra's as the HD DVD.

You will probably not hear about any news about anything with Universal until later this year. I highly doubt they will go exclusive, they will most likely go neutral. We'll have to see.

[WickyWoo]

No this was not a backroom situation. Because HD DVD has all of its standards set, WB was able to do all of the extra's the way the wanted to do them. Bluray specifications were not complete, and WB did not want to do unequal releases on both formats, the wanted them to be the same. Once Bluray's standards are finalized, you see those titles released with the same extra's as the HD DVD.

Only a handful of those titles have IME. While that arguement may be there for Batman, V, or Charlie, it's certainly not valid for Robin Hood, Casablanca or Perfect Storm

[talbers23]

Originally Posted by Sir Terrence

No this was not a backroom situation. Because HD DVD has all of its standards set, WB was able to do all of the extra's the way the wanted to do them. Bluray specifications were not complete, and WB did not want to do unequal releases on both formats, the wanted them to be the same. Once Bluray's standards are finalized, you see those titles released with the same extra's as the HD DVD.

You will probably not hear about any news about anything with Universal until later this year. I highly doubt they will go exclusive, they will most likely go neutral. We'll have to see.

if universal would go neutral and with warner firmly supporting both formats now, it would be very very hard for hd dvd to gain any momentum. i dont care what format you support, its hard to deny that hd dvd will slowly die off, even with cheaper players.

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

Just like Batman Begin, and The Matrix ect..

They technically aren't exclusive titles, they just haven't been released on BD...yet. They are coming eventually. Hopefully sooner than later.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

some if not all of the exclusive titles released on HDDVD from warner had the PIP feature. I know that Warner Bros. didn't release those films because BD at the time finalize the PIP feature.

[Right of Might]

See for me I would feel a lot better if WB simply announced Matrix and Batman Begins officially. I mean Harry Potter will be HUGE in boosting the overall sales for Blu-ray this holiday season but getting matrix would almost be like Lord of the Rings for true home theater buffs.

[ikbradley]

If the following rumors were true, then Universal neutrality is possible:

(1) The support of Universal was based on an exclusivity contract due to expire by year end (October some say);

(2) Paramount and Dreamworks did receive a $150 million pay out.

SCREEN PLAY FOR YEAR-END

Universal at year-end: "Hey, so I hear that our arch-enemy was given $150 million, how about for our good will you tack on an additional $100 million?"

Toshiba: "Not possible, because our Japanese parent refused to extend any further financial assistance"

Universal: "So what you are really saying is that you love Paramount more than us?"

Toshiba: "Things change. It's not that I love you less, it's just that I am in love with both of you. I'm so conflicted, and your rivalry and jeolosy is tearing me up *tears start streaming*"

Universal: "That's it biatch, I am going out on the town tonight and getting drunk and taking the first sailor that ships into port home with me"

LATER THAT NIGHT.... (Universal is crying into a martini glass, disillusioned with love and angry about Mistress Paramount... suddenly...)

Sony: "Can I buy you a drink?"

Universal: (Heels already around ears)

Fade out

[glenn22]

Originally Posted by ikbradley

Universal: (Heels already around ears)

Fade out

LMAO!

[TorpedoShockwave]

Originally Posted by glenn22

A lot of people feel that the reason Warner released a lot of movies on HD-DVD that weren't also released on Blu-ray had a lot to do with Mr. Nickerson being in charge there. He was very much pro-HD-DVD and used to work for Toshiba. He has since resigned (no one knows if he was forced or not) and since then Warner seems to have warmed up to Blu-ray a lot.

The Universal thing has never really been confirmed in any way. Execs from Universal have been sniffing around Blu-ray facilities for quite a while, so there is interest, but impossible to say if that will turn into anything or not.

You are somewhat correct; also WB stated Blu-Ray came out before it was fully completed, premature birth. For example, no PIP support, no BD Live support, early players had BD Java problems, and no true DTS HD MA support. WB was waiting for at least spec 1.1 (BD-PIP support) to be finalized and 2.0 (BD-Live) not mentioned.

However, I could care less; I have many collector/special editions of games and movies. As I can recall I had never even used any of the bonus contents. For example, POTC movies had special BD-J features and I had not even click on the bonus menu. To me the big deal is the feature film, not the extra contents.

All these bonus features hurt us in the long run, it increases the cost, and in this HD war, it brings HD-DVD trolls to BD forms.

In conclusion, it was bogus of WB to exclude certain films on BD, considering the main purpose is to watch the film, not enjoy the bonus features. Mater of fact the bonus features hurt sales; all the HD-DVD counterparts are more expensive.

Well done WB, great plan, make HD-DVDs cost more then BD therefore it can stun the HD-DVD sales.

[TorpedoShockwave]

Originally Posted by ikbradley

If the following rumors were true, then Universal neutrality is possible:

(1) The support of Universal was based on an exclusivity contract due to expire by year end (October some say);

(2) Paramount and Dreamworks did receive a $150 million pay out.

SCREEN PLAY FOR YEAR-END

Universal at year-end: "Hey, so I hear that our arch-enemy was given $150 million, how about for our good will you tack on an additional $100 million?"

Toshiba: "Not possible, because our Japanese parent refused to extend any further financial assistance"

Universal: "So what you are really saying is that you love Paramount more than us?"

Toshiba: "Things change. It's not that I love you less, it's just that I am in love with both of you. I'm so conflicted, and your rivalry and jeolosy is tearing me up *tears start streaming*"

Universal: "That's it biatch, I am going out on the town tonight and getting drunk and taking the first sailor that ships into port home with me"

LATER THAT NIGHT.... (Universal is crying into a martini glass, disillusioned with love and angry about Mistress Paramount... suddenly...)

Sony: "Can I buy you a drink?"

Universal: (Heels already around ears)

Fade out

Was not Universal the first exclusive Blu-Ray supporter, until it had a change of heart?

[ikbradley]

Originally Posted by TorpedoShockwave

Was not Universal the first exclusive Blu-Ray supporter, until it had a change of heart?

I don't think that they had consumated their relationship. It was a blind date and it didn't work out. Universal then got mixed up with the wrong crowd. However, a couple of martinis in Universal's gullet and she's good to go.

[stockstar1138]

personally, i believe that universal does have a contract and its almost up, hence the desperate paramount deal. so when this contract does end, do you think universal will stay hd dvd, go neutral, or go blu-ray only.