Format War Extended - Universal Announces 100 new Exclusives

[Jack Torrance]

Oy... here we go again... now the HD-DUD argument is set to stretch out for at least another year before Universal hopefully backs down and goes Blu-Ray.

No wish Sony would sock some MAJOR release news out there now and just kill this. An official Spiderman announcement for God's sake?

"MY TWO CENTS - 1/25/07 - by Digital Bits editor Bill Hunt




(LATE UPDATE - 1/25/07 - 4 PM PST)

Afternoon, everyone. I just wanted to jump in here with some late-breaking high-def news. Universal, presumably to make up for their relative silence at CES, has just announced that they're planning more than 100 exclusive releases on the HD-DVD format in 2007... and they've revealed at least a few new titles that are on the way (if not specific release dates). The first 40-50 of these will be available in the first half of 2007, starting with Brokeback Mountain (now available) and Hollywoodland (on 2/6). Also on the way to HD-DVD in 2007 according to the studio (90% of the titles as DVD/HD-DVD Combo releases) are new films like Children of Men, The Good Shepherd and Smokin' Aces, as well as classic catalog titles like Scarface, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bruce Almighty, The Bourne Identity, Meet the Fockers, American Pie, Inside Man, Pride & Prejudice, The Big Lebowski, Liar Liar, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Brazil, Erin Brockovich, Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Slap Shot and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The studio also confirmed that the first season of Sci-Fi's new Battlestar Galactica will be released on HD-DVD this year, as well additional TV series titles yet to be announced. There's definitely some cool titles in that list, and presumably more (and more details) will be announced at a later date. It'll be great to see Lebowski and Brazil in HD, that's for sure... and the prospect of Battlestar has us pretty excited too.

By the way, as it happens today, I had the chance to speak directly with senior Universal reps this afternoon for a story about their HD-DVD support and the format war in general. So watch for lots more on this subject here at The Bits next week.

Stay tuned...!"


Anyway, here's the link:

thedigitalbits.com

[JTK]

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

(LATE UPDATE - 1/25/07 - 4 PM PST)

Afternoon, everyone. I just wanted to jump in here with some late-breaking high-def news. Universal, presumably to make up for their relative silence at CES, has just announced that they're planning more than 100 exclusive releases on the HD-DVD format in 2007... and they've revealed at least a few new titles that are on the way (if not specific release dates). The first 40-50 of these will be available in the first half of 2007, starting with Brokeback Mountain (now available) and Hollywoodland (on 2/6). Also on the way to HD-DVD in 2007 according to the studio (90% of the titles as DVD/HD-DVD Combo releases) are new films like Children of Men, The Good Shepherd and Smokin' Aces, as well as classic catalog titles like Scarface, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bruce Almighty, The Bourne Identity, Meet the Fockers, American Pie, Inside Man, Pride & Prejudice, The Big Lebowski, Liar Liar, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Brazil, Erin Brockovich, Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Slap Shot and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The studio also confirmed that the first season of Sci-Fi's new Battlestar Galactica will be released on HD-DVD this year, as well as additional TV series titles yet to be announced. There's definitely some cool titles in that list, and presumably more (and more details) will be announced at a later date. It'll be great to see Lebowski and Brazil in HD, that's for sure... and the prospect of Battlestar has us pretty excited too.

By the way, as it happens today, I had the chance to speak directly with senior Universal reps this afternoon for a story about their HD-DVD support and the format war in general. So watch for lots more on this subject here at The Bits next week.

Stay tuned...!

So far, I'm not blown away by those names, but YMMV. I'll be interested to see the full 100 list eventually.

For me, it just doesn't change anything. One studio like Universal can only do so much by itself to hold up an entire format.

It still comes back to this: Universal cannot continue to ignore BD if they want to make more money. Already they defy common sense and good business by ignoring it even now. They will only continue to do so at their own peril.

I still say we're going to start seeing Universal BD's by next Christmas thereabouts.

[maximus2323]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

Oy... here we go again... now the HD-DUD argument is set to stretch out for at least another year before Universal hopefully backs down and goes Blu-Ray.

No wish Sony would sock some MAJOR release news out there now and just kill this. An official Spiderman announcement for God's sake?

"MY TWO CENTS - 1/25/07 - by Digital Bits editor Bill Hunt




(LATE UPDATE - 1/25/07 - 4 PM PST)

Afternoon, everyone. I just wanted to jump in here with some late-breaking high-def news. Universal, presumably to make up for their relative silence at CES, has just announced that they're planning more than 100 exclusive releases on the HD-DVD format in 2007... and they've revealed at least a few new titles that are on the way (if not specific release dates). The first 40-50 of these will be available in the first half of 2007, starting with Brokeback Mountain (now available) and Hollywoodland (on 2/6). Also on the way to HD-DVD in 2007 according to the studio (90% of the titles as DVD/HD-DVD Combo releases) are new films like Children of Men, The Good Shepherd and Smokin' Aces, as well as classic catalog titles like Scarface, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bruce Almighty, The Bourne Identity, Meet the Fockers, American Pie, Inside Man, Pride & Prejudice, The Big Lebowski, Liar Liar, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Brazil, Erin Brockovich, Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Slap Shot and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The studio also confirmed that the first season of Sci-Fi's new Battlestar Galactica will be released on HD-DVD this year, as well additional TV series titles yet to be announced. There's definitely some cool titles in that list, and presumably more (and more details) will be announced at a later date. It'll be great to see Lebowski and Brazil in HD, that's for sure... and the prospect of Battlestar has us pretty excited too.

By the way, as it happens today, I had the chance to speak directly with senior Universal reps this afternoon for a story about their HD-DVD support and the format war in general. So watch for lots more on this subject here at The Bits next week.

Stay tuned...!"


Anyway, here's the link:

thedigitalbits.com

Are these 100 titles the 300 that has been previous said.

[assur191]

Well, so much for Universal being quiet due to going neutral. I'm afraid that this thing is going to drag on forever.

[Jack Torrance]

Hope you're right JTK...

But another big annoucement from the BD consortium would be nice.

Also, it is odd that there was this long delay between CES and now for this announcement. Perhaps M$ had to beg Universal to stay exclusive and sweeten the deal. This type of announcement would've had even more impact at CES and the fact that is wasn't made there is just odd.

[maximus2323]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

Hope you're right JTK...

But another big annoucement from the BD consortium would be nice.

Also, it is odd that there was this long delay between CES and now for this announcement. Perhaps M$ had to beg Universal to stay exclusive and sweeten the deal. This type of announcement would've had even more impact at CES and the fact that is wasn't made there is just odd.

I agree 100% but another annoucement from BD is not necessary I think.

[Jeff®]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

This type of announcement would've had even more impact at CES and the fact that is wasn't made there is just odd.

Yes, how odd. The check hadn't cleared yet?

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

Hope you're right JTK...

But another big annoucement from the BD consortium would be nice.

It would be but on that same token: The PS3's release changed everything. HD-DVD was outselling BD roughly 2:1 until day one of that launch. The gap has closed steadly ever since the PS3 came out. (This was in the WSJ a couple of weeks ago among other places.)

^^ HD-DVD will never have anything that creates an effect like this for them.


This is how this kind of ballgame goes. Since CES, it's been nothing but great BD news so now, of course, we have to have a little back and forth here.

I think if anyone's honest about it, the complete no show by Universal at CES was not expected.

I think this is more along the lines of what everyone expected from this year: They'll keep cranking blood into a dying carcass until the contracts are up and then they'll realize that they can make more money by at least supporting both formats, if nothing else.

I just can't see them letting two holiday seasons go by, especially if the upward momentum for BD continues as I think most of us expect it to. Look in some of the other threads at some of big titles already announced from big time studios like Disney.

This is only January we're in. We all know that with each passing week and month we will hear and see more announcements and confirmations.

Patience!

What else does HD-DVD have going for it outside of this? More Toshiba crap and maybe some no name Chinese hardware support?

Who honestly is going to buy that junk for the movies you seen named here thus far?

Also, it is odd that there was this long delay between CES and now for this announcement. Perhaps M$ had to beg Universal to stay exclusive and sweeten the deal. This type of announcement would've had even more impact at CES and the fact that is wasn't made there is just odd.

I agree.

[dialog_gvf]

I think massive pressure must have been applied to Universal to make an announcement. This announcement would have been huge at CES.

40-50 in the first half of 2007 with, what, six announced through April? You note that they don't say North America. This could be 100 worldwide. (big whoop).

I guess we'll have to import our Universal titles from Japan.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Jeff®

Yes, how odd. The check hadn't cleared yet?

Ha, ha! Probably.

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I think massive pressure must have been applied to Universal to make an announcement. This announcement would have been huge at CES.

40-50 in the first half of 2007 with, what, six announced through April? You note that they don't say North America. This could be 100 worldwide. (big whoop).

I guess we'll have to import our Universal titles from Japan.

Very interesting distinctions there.

[dialog_gvf]

Another point: Sony is planning to release 100 titles in 2007 too.

Now is the time for them to drop the names, and counter this announcement from Universal.

Naturally, "Universal delivers" is being cried. When they've so far delivered none of them.

Gary

[JTK]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Another point: Sony is planning to release 100 titles in 2007 too.

Now is the time for them to drop the names, and counter this announcement from Universal.

Yup. It's time for Sony, MGM, Disney, and Fox...all exclusive studios (plural, unlike HD-DVD) to start dropping some names and dates pretty soon.

Naturally, "Universal delivers" is being cried. When, they've so far delivered none of them.

Gary

Let me guess: We're already back to "HD-DVD has won! Universal saves the day!!!" aren't we?

[blitz6speed]

First off, dissapointed this has happened. Obviously i wanted universal to just cut the game short and release on both. However, that said...

90% of the movie are stupid flipper dvd combos LOL.

The list is SEVERLY underwhelming. Out of all those titles, i dont see much other then 40 year old virgin and liar liar i'd like to purchase right away. And since they're both comedys with 0 action, i dont see a big reason to upgrade them to HD anytime soon. Was never a fan of scarface, but i know its got a following.

[Urian]

If I am not wrong Universal is owned by NBC who were owned by Microsoft, this tells me a lot of things.

I believe that Universal must be very pissed with all the last events and that they have good relationship with MS because they were the owners few years ago, now Microsoft money is rolling.

[JTK]

I see it as the last major gasp myself.

Obviously, I would have loved for this thing to be over with sooner rather than later, but that "2008 or so" timetable for the end of this nonsense still is well in play.

I just don't think much of it. The CES no show really was too good to be true and I think we all knew it.

[jorg]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

Oy... here we go again... now the HD-DUD argument is set to stretch out for at least another year before Universal hopefully backs down and goes Blu-Ray.

No wish Sony would sock some MAJOR release news out there now and just kill this. An official Spiderman announcement for God's sake?

"MY TWO CENTS - 1/25/07 - by Digital Bits editor Bill Hunt




(LATE UPDATE - 1/25/07 - 4 PM PST)

Afternoon, everyone. I just wanted to jump in here with some late-breaking high-def news. Universal, presumably to make up for their relative silence at CES, has just announced that they're planning more than 100 exclusive releases on the HD-DVD format in 2007... and they've revealed at least a few new titles that are on the way (if not specific release dates). The first 40-50 of these will be available in the first half of 2007, starting with Brokeback Mountain (now available) and Hollywoodland (on 2/6). Also on the way to HD-DVD in 2007 according to the studio (90% of the titles as DVD/HD-DVD Combo releases) are new films like Children of Men, The Good Shepherd and Smokin' Aces, as well as classic catalog titles like Scarface, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bruce Almighty, The Bourne Identity, Meet the Fockers, American Pie, Inside Man, Pride & Prejudice, The Big Lebowski, Liar Liar, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Brazil, Erin Brockovich, Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Slap Shot and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The studio also confirmed that the first season of Sci-Fi's new Battlestar Galactica will be released on HD-DVD this year, as well additional TV series titles yet to be announced. There's definitely some cool titles in that list, and presumably more (and more details) will be announced at a later date. It'll be great to see Lebowski and Brazil in HD, that's for sure... and the prospect of Battlestar has us pretty excited too.

By the way, as it happens today, I had the chance to speak directly with senior Universal reps this afternoon for a story about their HD-DVD support and the format war in general. So watch for lots more on this subject here at The Bits next week.

Stay tuned...!"


Anyway, here's the link:

thedigitalbits.com

omg universal drives my crazy im watching children of men rigt know only at dvd quality and its a great movie smokin aces is pretty good same wiht th good sheperd but those should not be out until atleast next fall

[Jack Torrance]

Yeah, this kinda miffed me at first but now I can see it fully for what it really is. M$ money fueled bs. Though it would've been nice to have Scarface and Children of Men this year... oh well, next year!

Though they are part of the same group, I hope someone at Universal points out to them that this is a losing proposition.

Interesting that 90% of the releases will be flipper combo titles... which means they will be priced higher than similar standard DVD or Blu-Ray releases! Another not so smart move.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by JTK

So far, I'm not blown away by those names, but YMMV. I'll be interested to see the full 100 list eventually.

For me, it just doesn't change anything. One studio like Universal can only do so much by itself to hold up an entire format.

It still comes back to this: Universal cannot continue to ignore BD if they want to make more money. Already they defy common sense and good business by ignoring it even now. They will only continue to do so at their own peril.

Were people actually thinking Universal was not going to release titles? Come on! I was just taking the opportunity to tease the HD DVD fanboys a bit, but for sure this silence was going to end.

I think Microsoft ponied up a truckload of cash to cause this announcement. That would be the only thing that would keep Universal exclusive now.

As for titles:

Scarface, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bruce Almighty, The Bourne Identity, Meet the Fockers, American Pie, Inside Man, Pride & Prejudice, The Big Lebowski, [b]Liar Liar, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Brazil, Erin Brockovich, Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Slap Shot and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The studio also confirmed that the first season of Sci-Fi's new Battlestar Galactica...

You don't see some cool titles there?

Time for Sony to drop it's list of INTENDED titles. And for Disney to announce a few more Pixars and couple of classic animations.

Gary

[Chris Beveridge]

Some good title but nothing I can't wait for. Considering how many titles I already have to watch on BD, missing some won't hurt. At least they've made their position clear for now. But still, if this is 100 of the 300 that will be released worldwide this year for HD DVD, the percentage of the other 200 that will be dual format is sizeable.

[hyperdine]

Something happened between CES 2007 and now. This just doesn't add up. You don't pass up an opportunity like CES to announce titles and then do it later when no one is looking. It doesn't make sense.

Think about this...for a lot of folks, it's already too late. The lack of Universal announcements at CES caused a lot of HD-DVD folks to go neutral. Now that they've had a taste of Blu-Ray and bought a player or PS3, do you think they're going to go back to supporting HD-DVD exclusively? I think not. The damage is done. They already turned their back on HD-DVD. They may still buy a few titles here and there, but this is not enough to cause people to go back to being HD-DVD exclusive.

Too little...too late.