Could Universal boycott Blu-ray?

[bluearth]

Do you think it's possible Universal could boycott blu-ray and refuse to release movies on the format until the prices of the players drop to where they want them?

This could happen as Universal has shown no sign of wanting to support blu and have always mentioned price as a reason.

Imagine universal as a big, angry, RED army ant

[Blu-Beard]

No chance, it would be a dumb move for them.

[akadkins]

Sure - they could - and lost a ton of money doing it. Companies aren't about personal vandettas...they are about making money. They'll release on Blu-Ray...as soon as they have a good enough movie come out at the theater.

[ranma]

Who hates money?

[AlexCruz]

Um I guess... if they want to go into bankruptcy

[EvolutionCherry]

Originally Posted by bluearth

Do you think it's possible Universal could boycott blu-ray and refuse to release movies on the format until the prices of the players drop to where they want them?

This could happen as Universal has shown no sign of wanting to support blu and have always mentioned price as a reason.

Imagine universal as a big, angry, RED army ant

Not unless they wish not to turn a profit on the home video market, they will not do anything THAT galactically idiotic.

[cartman781]

If they were stupid

[wallendo]

Why would Universal care about the price of players?

If they think they can make money, they will sell Blu-ray discs.

[cajun1975]

They would look dumb and childish and also would loose out on Blu Ray money. They might not like it, but they are going to half to bite the bullet and deal with it.

[Marcusarilius]

That would just be another example of successfull Forward looking companies which we all know Universal to be a part of from day one where HD is concerned.

[ranma]

For Universal, unlike Paramount, being lack of equipment, personnel, support, logistic of producing blu-ray, it might takes months for them to begin sell blu-ray format.

[blaze_macleod]

Universal won't be able to argue about player price, because lower prices on hd dvd didn't end up helping it.

[Tizflizz]

It would mean lost revenue for them if they did not. That is something that UNI shareholders would not look to kindly on. As far as Ken gayhole I wouldn't be surprised if A: Was asked to resign or B:Was fired. He could have avoided the continuation of this war months ago.If they had gone neutral.

[pokerface]

I guess they can do whatever they want to do but I think not releasing on Blu falls under biting off you nose to spite your face.

[chasarms]

I personally do not think price is going to be an issue with BD for a whole lot longer. Now the the format war is over, most all of the second-teir consumer electronics manufactuers will get on the band wagon. Their players may not be the best, but I am willing to bet there'll be sub-$200 units in reasonable supply by this holiday season.

The increase in demand and economy of scale will drive the media cost down over time. I would expect BDs and SD DVDs to be more similarly priced within a year or so also.

[The Don]

Originally Posted by ranma

Who hates money?

I do...

[cartier]

They could but it would not be well received besides if there was anyone stupid enough to resent blu-ray so much as to refuse to release a movie on it the CEO of all GE/NBC/Universal would fire them and find someone else. The guys at the top know they have shareholders to report to.

[jsteinhauer]

They could boycott releasing into theaters, too, until a family of four can afford to go out and see a first-run motion picture.

[Anthony P]

Do you think it's possible Universal could boycott blu-ray and refuse to release movies on the format until the prices of the players drop to where they want them?

Universal has made a lot of bone head moves in the past which brought it from one of the biggest big studios to one of the smallest big studios, so I guess anything is possible. But that would be one for the dumb moves record books. Also if it is pricing then they where happy with the cheapest HD DVD player being 500$ so I can't see how having BD players <400$ can be seen as not meeting their pricing criteria.

[JohnGalt]

They could hold off until the holidays but I doubt they will.