Bloomberg: Paramount Denies Report It Will Drop Toshiba's HD DVD

[Zazou]

Pleased to read that Bill Hunt thinks there is something to the FT story in his report from the 7th. The capital 'IS' was Bill's, not mine.

Our guess is that if the FT report IS accurate, you'll see some kind of official statement from Paramount imminently - possibly as early as tomorrow. We'd also guess that if this does pan out, there's a better than outside chance Universal could quickly announce Blu-ray support too. We'll see.

Of course he and others could be wrong, but these guys know the score and there's no smoke without fire.

Lee

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by clownface

I think Paramount will stay with HD DVD until the end of 2008 just out of stubborness. They already switched to HD DVD exsclusivity even though they admit that they're Blu ray's outsold the HD's on a consistent basis so why make a smart decision now?

You me friend are 1000% dead wrong. Paramount wants $$$$ and if they can keep most of the $150 million and make blu's weather exclusive or not they will jump on it immediately they key word here is "out clause"

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by Zazou

Pleased to read that Bill Hunt thinks there is something to the FT story in his report from the 7th. The capital 'IS' was Bill's, not mine.



Of course he and others could be wrong, but these guys know the score and there's no smoke without fire.

Lee

Interesting quote from Bill. I hope he is right.

[GregBlu5]

As in politics, so too in business, denial comes before full confirmation.

[kenichicorp]

Hopes up? YES

Suprised story wasn't not confirmed? NO

A decision of this magnitude would not come so quickly, unless it was in the pipeline before Warner's decision?

[Kairav]

I wasn't surprised at all. But there is still hope.

[JOECINEMA]

I believe Paramount will make a move very shortly, especially with the "out clause" they have. At the end of the day, business is business and they are going to want to get their piece of the BLU pie.

[Theo Cupier]

Out clause or no, I'd imagine Sony will be prepared to pay Paramount out of the contract if it can.

Also, note the language in the statement (my emphasis)

"Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format,'' Brenda Ciccone, a spokeswoman for Paramount, said in an e-mail today

Two things:
1. "Current plan" - how long will it be current?
2. "continue to support HD DVD" - support does not necessarily mean "exclusively release on".

Writing >>> wall, frankly.

[Go Blu]

I'll bet anything they are desperatly seeing a way out of their contract as we speak.

They are just denying it to buy their lawyers time.

[david2189]

they are in a contract i doubt theryre allowed to go out and say yes we're dropping it!

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by david2189

they are in a contract i doubt theryre allowed to go out and say yes we're dropping it!

Footballers are going it all the time Get out clauses.

[lrankine]

My guess is that Paramount and the other "hold outs" will jump ship as soon as they legally can. Now that Warner has made their move every day Paramount, et.al. delay means lost revenue and market share. Something no business wants.

[Cplhicks]

Just because they support HD-DVD does not mean they can't support Blu-ray too. They could be considering a return to dual format status. I'm guessing their contract does not allow them to abandon HD-DVD completely (unless Toshiba does) but it may allow them to return to making Blu as well. That would mean Paramount's statement about not abandoning it are true-- from a certain point of view.

[HighDefChief]

Don't worry, Paramount and Dreamworks will switch soon. I can't see HD DVD having any exclusive support by the end of March.

[upnorthsox]

Originally Posted by david2189

they are in a contract i doubt theryre allowed to go out and say yes we're dropping it!

And yet Warner is appearently still in a contract too(til May) and yet they announced their intentions. If Paramount has an out clause and they are going to invoke it then they need to declare those intentions.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Cplhicks

Just because they support HD-DVD does not mean they can't support Blu-ray too. They could be considering a return to dual format status. I'm guessing their contract does not allow them to abandon HD-DVD completely (unless Toshiba does) but it may allow them to return to making Blu as well. That would mean Paramount's statement about not abandoning it are true-- from a certain point of view.

I'm sure that's what is going on now..are we going to be stuck in a dual-format charade - and that's really all it will be if they support Blu - or can we get out of it completely/is Toshiba ready to shut it down/is there a "best" path for all parties involved - including us.

[Stinkin Mushroom]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

You me friend are 1000% dead wrong. Paramount wants $$$$ and if they can keep most of the $150 million and make blu's weather exclusive or not they will jump on it immediately they key word here is "out clause"

mystik when will you be on a blu-ray?

[hc666]

What they say is true. They will continue with HD DVD but go neutral and offer BD

Then their HD DVDs won't sell and they can drop them after their contract is up.

[tron3]

C'MON, we all know it is going to end like this scene from The Simpsons...


Fidel Castro: Comrads, our nation is completely bankrupt! We have no choice but to abandon communism!

Castro's Aide #1, Castro's Associates: [sigh]

Fidel Castro: I know, I know, I know... but we all knew from day one this mumbo jumbo wouldn't fly! I'll call Washington and tell them they won.

[sphdle1]

Originally Posted by lrankine

My guess is that Paramount and the other "hold outs" will jump ship as soon as they legally can. Now that Warner has made their move every day Paramount, et.al. delay means lost revenue and market share. Something no business wants.

Best guess of the day and best line of truth "...will jump ship as soon as they legally can".