Paramount/DreamWorks fallout... a primal scream therapy thread for Blu-ray fans

[gamer4eva]

the retarded part of this deal is they signed the deal for 150mil while 3 of their biggest movies grossed around 1.5 bil i just don't get the point of this deal for the small amount of money compared to just 3 movies

oh and i'am gonna mail them now

[gamer4eva]

@khalel

good email mate

[62382]

Does This Mean This Will Not Be On Blu-Ray

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by Khalel

Thanks for the contact info, below is what I emailed, I think I went overboard, but it at least was a good way to vent.

Wow, that's a good one!

Here's my puny little letter submitted to Viacom at http://origin.www.viacom.com/CONTACT/default.aspx

---
I'm not sure if this is the right place for these kinds of comments but it's the only place I could find on your site.

Paramount's recent decision to exclusively support HD DVD when Blu-ray is clearly the superior format technically (higher capacity, higher bandwidth) and also has deeper market penetration (titles released on both formats are selling at a 2:1 ratio on Blu-ray) has really made me puzzled as to how much you care about consumers, especially if the rumored payoff for this move is true.

As a result, I will be boycotting all Paramount/Viacom related product purchases for the forseeable future. This means no DVD purchases, no theater going for Paramount/Dreamworks movies, no watching MTV, etc.

Thanks for your time.
---

Wasn't sure if I should have included CBS in there. I believe CBS is no longer affiliated with Paramount/Viacom, right?

enjoy
gandalf

[XanderAE]

I'd guess not!

But more importantly, what about the titles ALREADY announced for Blu-ray?

i.e. Face/Off??

They can't seriously release this now on HD DVD only having promised it on both for months? Surely that can't be done can it?

[Banjo]

Just thought some of you would like to know I wrote a lengthy blog entry on the subject of the recent announcement from Paramount.

Click here to read it.

I just had to write about it.

[XSilentCobraX]

Thank you for posting this, its very interesting indeed. i believe this is a hige mistake from paramount, and they will soon realize it, i like Bay for standing out, and Steven for leaning for Blu. Eventually blu will win

[krinkle]

http://digg.com/tech_news/Michael_Ba...mount_Decision

Spread the Word that this great director is willing to stand with his fans!!

[jw]

I think i have to agree with all of that.

[gand41f]

Good stuff.

I didn't realize it's OK for BDA to pay Uni to go neutral but illegal for M$ to pay Para to stop releasing in Blu-ray. (I assume that's what you meant, right?) If so, go BDA! Let 'em have it!

enjoy
gandalf

[gand41f]

Dugg!

enjoy
gandalf

[Jish]

Letter writing campaigns can work and have worked - we need to all participate and participate in all mediums (phone, e-mail, written letter).

We also need to keep the pressure on. One week of letters they might ignore - 3 months of letters might be hard to ignore! Put reminders in your calendars to reach back out.

I think the most obvious point I am going to make in my letter is simple:

Blu-ray is outselling HD DVD 2 to 1, the consumer has clearly chosen Blu-ray (as have I personally). By choosing to only sell on HD DVD it is a slap in the face to the majority of your customers and it is insulting to us.

I am disgusted by the decision and will take care not to buy a single paramount product until you revert back to publishing on Blu-ray.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Banjo

Paramount was literally shrilling for Blu-ray Disc as being the better format until now.

Uh, believe that's "shilling"--
But, given how much and how loudly they were originally pushing "Tomb Raider" in our faces, it could be literally shrill-ing.

[NutsAboutPS3]

I still don't understand why it would be illegal to pay Paramount for exclusivity.

I don't see the difference between the HD DVD vs Blu-ray battle and the cable vs satellite battle, for example. Sky frequently pay to ensure that if you want to watch certain content you can only watch it via satellite not via cable. I don't see the difference between this and paying for content to only be available on HD DVD.

[moweeis]

The EU already talked about forcing the studios to be neutral in europe to end customer confusion. However should take a year or two to come in place if it even works out

[tjsmangina]

paramount exec to michael bay: michael we want you to do transformers 2.

MB: not a chance in hell,i`m more than upset at the fact you blew off blu ray to go HD DVD.

paramount exec:$20 million do anything for you ?

MB: lights,camera,action

[Need0fMany]

Thanks Banjo for writing this blog entry and posting a link here. It's well written and still remains level-headed while clearly making excellent points.

[scott87]

nice read mate

[Need0fMany]

Originally Posted by NutsAboutPS3

I still don't understand why it would be illegal to pay Paramount for exclusivity.

I don't see the difference between the HD DVD vs Blu-ray battle and the cable vs satellite battle, for example. Sky frequently pay to ensure that if you want to watch certain content you can only watch it via satellite not via cable. I don't see the difference between this and paying for content to only be available on HD DVD.

Some of the differences with your example is that Paramount had current titles out on Blu-ray and also had announced titles for release on Blu-ray in the near future, indicating to customers that they were Blu-ray supporters (at least partly) and contributed to influencing customers in buying Blu-ray players. If a company backs out of supporting a format for another because it sells less, that's a good business decision. To switch to exclusively supporting the format with lower sales (against customer interests) because a 3rd party pays you, that is illegal. If you need any more proof of that, it is why the business deal was worded as "for future promotional consideration" because anything more direct would not be legally viable for them.

[w_tanoto]

thank you for the interesting post. They'll regret their move