Warner- Bewkes new CEO January 2, 2008 - Discuss

[Sonar5]

Originally Posted by JAGUAR1977

When WB were HD-DVD exclusive.


'Meanwhile, Sony's camp received help winning over one influential studio from an unlikely source. Raider Carl C. Icahn, one of Time Warner's largest shareholders, began pressuring the studio to find ways to boost its stock price earlier this year. Despite Time Warner's long alliance with Toshiba, CEO Richard Parsons asked Jeff Bewkes, chairman of the company's entertainment unit, to reconsider the best way to recharge DVD sales. Bewkes decided that the studio should forget appearances and back Blu-ray if it was the format most likely to win consumers' hearts. "Blu-ray's potential for more capacity started looking better and better," said one Hollywood executive.'

Bewkes said that back in about October 2005, quite a long time ago and IMHO, not very relevant to be used as a quote right now. Too dated. It is a very different market compared to the atmosphere back then.

[BadAss]

That was back then, but now we don't have to guess which format will come out the stronger because we have the sales data right in front of us. As long as HD-DVD lives studios will bleed money competing with each others format. There is no future for two formats and niether camp will ever go dual so one has to go, Blu-ray is too strong to loose and HD-DVD is too weak to win.

[kloeulle]

Hi, i have read today that Blu-Ray hold alead in europe of 73% to HD DVD 27%!

[TwinTurboJosh]

Of course then you have guys like this 'claiming' insider info of WB going the other way.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...&postcount=249

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Sonar5

Bewkes said that back in about October 2005, quite a long time ago and IMHO, not very relevant to be used as a quote right now. Too dated. It is a very different market compared to the atmosphere back then.

What I find VERY encouraging about having Bewkes at the helm is that he is not afraid of past "Appearances". In other words, he is saying there is no ego here where and when it comes to doing what needs to be done to move twards a successful future in support of Blu-ray the supperior format. Why should he be less inclined to favour BD almost three years later esp after blu has now proven itself as the winner in the war. He has been on blu's side long before the obvious success it has now. He is a forward thinking visionary and that lends a great deal of hope and insperation on my part as to what I beleive the blu camp can come to see unfold in early 08.

[Sonar5]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

What I find VERY encouraging about having Bewkes at the helm is that he is not afraid of past "Appearances". In other words, he is saying there is no ego here where and when it comes to doing what needs to be done to move twards a successful future in support of Blu-ray the supperior format. Why should he be less inclined to favour BD almost three years later esp after blu has now proven itself as the winner in the war. He has been on blu's side long before the obvious success it has now. He is a forward thinking visionary and that lends a great deal of hope and insperation on my part as to what I beleive the blu camp can come to see unfold in early 08.

Hopefully if not at CES, then by or on February 6th, we'll know.

I specifically did not bring up the Bewkes old quote when seeing it in research because it is so old.

Now if he says it again on February 6th, or in some oh I don't know, some odd analyst call later in this week, then we'll see.

I did find it interesting since he is on Holiday, no one has the access to return analyst calls, get feedback on stock issues, etc....

While everyone is searching out Nielsen data this week, I'll be searching out news quotes of guys like Bewkes, and looking at all this form the stock thing, since it bears so much influence.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Sonar5

Bewkes said that back in about October 2005, quite a long time ago and IMHO, not very relevant to be used as a quote right now. Too dated. It is a very different market compared to the atmosphere back then.

Originally Posted by Sonar5

Hopefully if not at CES, then by or on February 6th, we'll know.

I specifically did not bring up the Bewkes old quote when seeing it in research because it is so old.

Now if he says it again on February 6th, or in some oh I don't know, some odd analyst call later in this week, then we'll see.

I did find it interesting since he is on Holiday, no one has the access to return analyst calls, get feedback on stock issues, etc....

While everyone is searching out Nielsen data this week, I'll be searching out news quotes of guys like Bewkes, and looking at all this form the stock thing, since it bears so much influence.

Please stay close and keep us informed. Your opinions and statements are a very welcome breath of intelligence and fresh air. We have nothing but speculation based on opinions and interesting Clues or tid bit statements made by the Gods who have held our format in the balance for so long. Much to many people's perplextion, the stockholder, shareholder, board of director issues have made absolutely no sense to anyone. The reality is that blu holds complete and still gaining domination world wide while HD DVD players are given away in cereal boxes and the disk sales are dwindling. None of us can seem to figure out why corps are not being held responsible for the complete lack of blu support, i.e. the willingness to jump on board and make some money? We get our movies, they make money. Everyones happy, so whats the problem?

[bkbluray]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

Please stay close and keep us informed. Your opinions and statements are a very welcome breath of intelligence and fresh air. We have nothing but speculation based on opinions and interesting Clues or tid bit statements made by the Gods who have held our format in the balance for so long. Much to many people's perplextion, the stockholder, shareholder, board of director issues have made absolutely no sense to anyone. The reality is that blu holds complete and still gaining domination world wide while HD DVD players are given away in cereal boxes and the disk sales are dwindling. None of us can seem to figure out why corps are not being held responsible for the complete lack of blu support, i.e. the willingness to jump on board and make some money? We get our movies, they make money. Everyones happy, so whats the problem?

Good point. It doesn't make any sense that they WOULDN'T go Blu-ray exclusive at this point. Blu-rays gaining a lot of steam worldwide. And I see it every day I work at Target (I work in the electonics area). I see more and more people being interested in Blu-ray and buying the movies. So why they wouldn't go Blu-ray exclusive is beyond me.

[saljr]

I live in Stockton,Ca and Hollywoodvideo store in Weston Ranch shopping center is a highest volume store out of 5. In the begin of the year (Blu-Ray)2 to 1(HD-DVD) and now at least 3.5 to 1. Maybe 2008 will be the year for Blu-Ray.

[ESUNintel]

Originally Posted by saljr

I live in Stockton,Ca and Hollywoodvideo store in Weston Ranch shopping center is a highest volume store out of 5. In the begin of the year (Blu-Ray)2 to 1(HD-DVD) and now at least 3.5 to 1. Maybe 2008 will be the year for Blu-Ray.

At least that's what the stats look like, and hopefully it will be the year for BD. I just hope WB doesn't take any money to go HD-DVD exclusive in a time of difficulty.

[Sonar5]

Originally Posted by bkbluray

Good point. It doesn't make any sense that they WOULDN'T go Blu-ray exclusive at this point. Blu-rays gaining a lot of steam worldwide. And I see it every day I work at Target (I work in the electonics area). I see more and more people being interested in Blu-ray and buying the movies. So why they wouldn't go Blu-ray exclusive is beyond me.

Looking at the market worldwide, how anyone could deny the sales leader is puzzling.

Hopefully in the next few days with lead-up, we'll get some nuggets from news, or our insiders here.

happy new Year,
Joe

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by Sonar5

Hopefully if not at CES, then by or on February 6th, we'll know.

I specifically did not bring up the Bewkes old quote when seeing it in research because it is so old.

Now if he says it again on February 6th, or in some oh I don't know, some odd analyst call later in this week, then we'll see.

I did find it interesting since he is on Holiday, no one has the access to return analyst calls, get feedback on stock issues, etc....

While everyone is searching out Nielsen data this week, I'll be searching out news quotes of guys like Bewkes, and looking at all this form the stock thing, since it bears so much influence.

What is on February 06, and why might we hear an announcement on that date specifically?

[Crackbone]

Originally Posted by JasonS

What is on February 06, and why might we hear an announcement on that date specifically?

Earnings call I believe and then there should be some information about the future moves of Warner to increase share price, etc.

[ottscay]

Originally Posted by Crackbone

Earnings call I believe.

AKA Bewkes feet are put to the fire while he explains his grand vision to make everyone lots of money...

[JasonS]

Originally Posted by Crackbone

Earnings call I believe and then there should be some information about the future moves of Warner to increase share price, etc.

That could also fall in line with the theory that they are waiting for "Q5" numbers, which would end January...

[Sonar5]

Originally Posted by JasonS

What is on February 06, and why might we hear an announcement on that date specifically?

February 6th at 10:30 am, eastern time, Jeffrey Bewkes will do what is called an Earnings Release Analyst Conference call.

In that call, which I hopefully will be able to get to listen to, he will discuss the 2007 results, how much they made per share, how they did in the 4th quarter, (Company wide), and his vision and goals for the company going forward.

It is entirely possible in the question portion of the call, that from the analysts that cover Time Warner, one may ask him what direction they will be heading in this format debacle, if it is not announced sooner, or who knows he may make an announcement himself. Or he may not say anything at all and defer.

These are the calls where announcements are made, it will be his first call as the new CEO, and every tom, dick, and harry will be on the call.

They sometimes release these conference calls on the internet after they occur. Who knows if this will be available or not.

One thing is pretty sure, IMHO, some analyst will ask him if he is planning on Making Time Warner look like the Next Viacom by buying NBC/Universal. He will deny it of course, and then that spin starts up again. Should be fun.

Thanks,
Joe

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by Sonar5

These are the calls where announcements are made, it will be his first call as the new CEO, and every tom, dick, and harry will be on the call.Should be fun.

Thanks,
Joe

Hopefully the name "Joe" will be on this list! Let us know buddy.

[upnorthsox]

Originally Posted by Sonar5

February 6th at 10:30 am, eastern time, Jeffrey Bewkes will do what is called an Earnings Release Analyst Conference call.

In that call, which I hopefully will be able to get to listen to, he will discuss the 2007 results, how much they made per share, how they did in the 4th quarter, (Company wide), and his vision and goals for the company going forward.

It is entirely possible in the question portion of the call, that from the analysts that cover Time Warner, one may ask him what direction they will be heading in this format debacle, if it is not announced sooner, or who knows he may make an announcement himself. Or he may not say anything at all and defer.

These are the calls where announcements are made, it will be his first call as the new CEO, and every tom, dick, and harry will be on the call.

They sometimes release these conference calls on the internet after they occur. Who knows if this will be available or not.

One thing is pretty sure, IMHO, some analyst will ask him if he is planning on Making Time Warner look like the Next Viacom by buying NBC/Universal. He will deny it of course, and then that spin starts up again. Should be fun.

Thanks,
Joe

I would suspect that if an announcement about a BD exclusive were to come down for this it would be done shortly before the call so that Bewkes could trumpet it as a sign of steps being made in an effort to increase long term profits. It's a better strategy than dropping a bomb and being left to talk about little else(unless of course you don't want to talk about other things ).

No doubt NBC/Universal will come up but I also suspect talk about Dreamworks too will come up as I suspect that'll become a big topic at CES if nothing on the format front comes to fruition.

[kjack]

Originally Posted by upnorthsox

It's a better strategy than dropping a bomb and being left to talk about little else(unless of course you don't want to talk about other things ).

Bombs are never dropped during conference calls. News from public companies has to be released in a very specific manner so as not to violate SEC rules. What is to be said during a conference call is usually determined and practiced for a couple of weeks before the call.

[JAGUAR1977]

Originally Posted by Sonar5

Bewkes said that back in about October 2005, quite a long time ago and IMHO, not very relevant to be used as a quote right now. Too dated. It is a very different market compared to the atmosphere back then.

It's highly relevant as he is now top dog, while the ones heavily pushing HD-DVD are no longer at WB, having left around the time a HD-DVD exclusive deal was orignally offered, along with Paramount.

It's now upto the BDA to negociate a deal with true neutrals at WB, rather than fighting pro HD-DVD WB execs.