Universal Studios under pressure to support Blu-ray?

[HDTV1080P]

Officially Universal Studios still says it has no plans to support BLU-RAY, but this article suggested that Universal Studios executives behind the scenes might be negotiating to maybe consider going BLU-RAY at a future date.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/universal071607.htm
QUOTE
“"We understand there is a lot of persuading going on right now," Variety quotes Envisioneering Group's Richard Doherty, who adds that Universal executives might negotiate with Blu-ray backers at this summer's investment conferences.”

If Universal Studios goes neutral BLU-RAY would then win the format war since it would have 100% studio support. Also there would be no need to own a combo player and the market for combo players would die.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

If Universal Studios goes neutral BLU-RAY would then win the format war since it would have 100% studio support. Also there would be no need to own a combo player and the market for combo players would die.

This is so true. One studio and its all over.

[Dadds]

This is the best news of the day.

[McBain]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=11814

[Helicon]

Question, in Europe the publisher of SONY / Columbia Pitures titles is Universal.

Does that mean that Universal already has Blu-ray disc production equipment? Or does the publisher only handle the logistical part of the releases?

"Udgiver" means: Publisher

[Mr. Joshua]

"When you sell six million standard-definition units of a title, and you're selling only about 70,000 in hi-def, it's hard to say, 'Wow, look at what we're leaving on the table.' "

This is a quote from the last paragraph of the article. If Universal were supporting Blu-ray I bet that 70,000 would triple or even quadruple. I think somewhere down the line as in the post above mine shows, Universal has some skin in the game with Blu-ray, just like Toshiba has some skin in the game with PS3...

[dialog_gvf]

^^^ What Graffeo completely misses is that a large number consumers are waiting for an outcome of the format war. He's deliberately and with full intent causing that war to continue.

He's risking the revenue streams of all the studios. Users could stop buying anything. Waiting for a resolution of the war to go HD, but not wanting to waste anything more on SD.

Gary

[cruzzer cruz]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

^^^ What Graffeo completely misses is that a large number consumers are waiting for an outcome of the format war. He's deliberately and with full intent causing that war to continue.

He's risking the revenue streams of all the studios. Users could stop buying anything. Waiting for a resolution of the war to go HD, but not wanting to waste anything more on SD.

Gary

This is so true. If they were to just go nuetral, the war would be over very quickly, the HD market would boom, and they'd have thousands upon thousands of new costumers.

[jorg]

Originally Posted by wsciv123

"When you sell six million standard-definition units of a title, and you're selling only about 70,000 in hi-def, it's hard to say, 'Wow, look at what we're leaving on the table.' "

This is a quote from the last paragraph of the article. If Universal were supporting Blu-ray I bet that 70,000 would triple or even quadruple. I think somewhere down the line as in the post above mine shows, Universal has some skin in the game with Blu-ray, just like Toshiba has some skin in the game with PS3...

most movies have only sold on average around 30 thousand

[KingDeezie]

I hope this is true...

I really want Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead on Bluray...

[darinp2]

Originally Posted by jorg

most movies have only sold on average around 30 thousand

The average is probably closer to 5-6k for releases (some have 2 version because of both formats) so far, even with some bigger hitters. If the 2 formats have combined for 3 million disc sales so far and there were 500 unique releases, that would only be 6k each. I think there are more releases and the disc sales might be higher than that now, but seems like a ballpark. I don't know if Universal has even a single release that has sold more than 30k (not counting "free" ones included in a box like King Kong) at this point.

Places like Best Buy not selling some of the lesser titles (like some of those from Universal) at all their stores is another reason for lower averages.

--Darin

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Dave

This is so true. One studio and its all over.

If they are NOT going to at least support both formats, they need to change their name from "Universal".

Ha ha. Sometimes I crack myself up.

[Anthony P]

By the way, if Universal is feeling the pressure, who/where is the pressure from?

I am guessing two places

1) internal: it is not fun seeing others doing much better

2) GE: look at WB if the rumours are true, WB is neutral because Time-Warner forced them to be. How long can GE look at other studios making money on BD while Universal is losing money on HD DVD?

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

might negotiate with Blu-ray backers at this summer's investment conferences.”

Anyone know when this conference is? Summer is upon us, so Universal going Blu by Christmas is not so farfetched as previously thought!!!! At least by some! Keep the faith alive.........GO BLU!

[reiella]

For new releases, the HD format war isn't hurting bottom lines that much. As said, the numbers just aren't there yet. Further, most folks, even if they have a bd player, will still buy the dvd version if it's their only option. Some won't, but again, the numbers are so small, it's not a hit to their line.

[thebluemax]

Personally, I could care less if Universal goes BD. The only reason I would want them to is to end this F_ _ _K_ _ war, and I would probably buy some of there better titles.

[kknight]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

Personally, I could care less if Universal goes BD. The only reason I would want them to is to end this F_ _ _K_ _ war, and I would probably buy some of there better titles.

I care for Universal movies but I agree, the sooner that HD-DVD dies, the better for everyone. I'm so tired of their bulls*** and their stupid manupulative news, if it weren't for Microsoft backing them up with their add-on drive which the ONLY reason was to go up against the PS3, this war would of been over a while ago...