Aug. 20th-21st, 2007, biggest battle of the format war!!! - Blu-ray Forum

POTC123 · 08-21-2007, 01:36 PM

Over the last 24 hours we have seen the largest and most public, development of the Format War since its inception last June.

It began around noon yesterday with the announcement of Paramount/Dreamworks flip to only support HD-DVD. This came as a shock and blow to everyone, especially the supporters of Blu-ray. It also was weird due to Blu-ray sales out numbering HD-DVD 2 to 1, and the iminent end of the war looking promising for a blu-ray victory.

Stephen Spielberg was very upset by this and said he will not allow his films to be released on HD-DVD, and threatened to sell Dreamworks to another company.

So you think that would be the end, NO. Later that night, due probably to P/D annoucement, Fox and MGM stated they were going exclusively blu, and announced nearly 30 new and classic movies in the next 3 months.

Later, the BDA stated that they also found it werid that P/D decided to flip.

It was revealed this morning that Micheal Bay(GOD) has expressed his feelings towards Paramount, saying he doesn't want his movies to be released on a weaker format, and wants the best quality possible, and states he will not direct/write/produce a Transformers 2.

Finally, The NY Times revealed the rumor was true, and Paramount and Dreamworks recieved a 150 million bribe for supporters of HD-DVD to go exclusive.

What new develpoments will we see in the next 24 hours???

dialog_gvf · 08-21-2007, 01:39 PM

How about an SEC investigation into whether executives received bribes for this decision?

I would personally like to see a major retailer take an anti-HD DVD stand on selling discs.

POTC123 · 08-21-2007, 01:51 PM

that would be something to see

Rheologuy · 08-21-2007, 01:56 PM

If it were illegal for Paramount to accept financial consideration to support HD-DVD exclusively, as dialog_gvf has said elsewhere, why would Viacom executives admit having done it to the New York Times? Why would the SEC be interested? And what could they do to reverse this? BTW, I hope you're right.

xcntuatd77 · 08-21-2007, 02:06 PM

My thoughts:

The decision by michael bay to now no longer direct and produce transformer 2 was an EXCELLENT strategy.

Although as of right now, i am really bummed about no transformers sequel - or trilogy as a trilogy was already confirmed by him during a press conference, no longer directing a sequel will now light the pants of all those executives.

These guys failed to realize that he directed and made this HUGE blockbuster for paramount. Currently 24th best movies alltime- from box office sales, and 5th best movie for paramount all time. Now that hes no longer goign to direct a sequel for this blockbuster, its defintiely going to send vibes through to paramount.

This short term deal was just that, withouht foreseeing properly what the impact blockbusters like transformers will have. Now that he has clearly stated he will not direct transformers, paramount has definitely got it good way up their *******s.

CptGreedle · 08-21-2007, 02:11 PM

Latest rumors is that Paramount, after loosing it's star director and being unable to release Speilberg films, and being questioned by not just the Blu-ray consumers, but also the directors and BDA... may be reconsidering their stance.

We'll see. But it is only an 18 month arrangement.

Iceman_II · 08-21-2007, 02:19 PM

The SEC may be interested, depending on HOW paramount and dream works report the 150M

Bribes can not be reported as earnings, if they try to report them as earnings, they are violating the law. If they DON'T report them as earnings, their bottom line will suffer because of the lost revenue from sales of BD that aren't occuring... this SHOULD hit their stock price.

Even if they do get around the whole "reporting bribes as earnings" and keep this quarter up with the cash inflo from M$, their share holders are not going to be happy when they realize that their profits for the next 5 quarters will be lower because the execs lined their pockets this quarter... investors will not be happy.

POTC123 · 08-21-2007, 02:29 PM

Paramount skrewed the pooch on this one, i cna believe what has happened due to this deal, and in such short time

kabraal · 08-21-2007, 02:35 PM

i was there...bloody terrible

Blu-Ray Buckeye · 08-21-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rheologuy

If it were illegal for Paramount to accept financial consideration to support HD-DVD exclusively, as dialog_gvf has said elsewhere, why would Viacom executives admit having done it to the New York Times? Why would the SEC be interested? And what could they do to reverse this? BTW, I hope you're right.

Because they are dealing in semantics... they got "marketing considerations".

Blu-Ray Buckeye · 08-21-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

The SEC may be interested, depending on HOW paramount and dream works report the 150M

Bribes can not be reported as earnings, if they try to report them as earnings, they are violating the law. If they DON'T report them as earnings, their bottom line will suffer because of the lost revenue from sales of BD that aren't occuring... this SHOULD hit their stock price.

Even if they do get around the whole "reporting bribes as earnings" and keep this quarter up with the cash inflo from M$, their share holders are not going to be happy when they realize that their profits for the next 5 quarters will be lower because the execs lined their pockets this quarter... investors will not be happy.

It isn't like their Income Statement will have a line saying "BRIBE", they are already discussing it w/ different terminology. This will not be a problem w/ reporting, it is a problem directly with the business practice. If there are anti-trust violations then thos emight be investigated. The point I am making is that the reporting will follow the business practice. If the act is deemed illegal then they will have issues. if the act is deemed Ok then the reporting won't be a problem.

u_nick · 08-21-2007, 03:33 PM

I dont think Bay called HD the weaker format, but rather expressed his feelings that he wanted them on BOTH HD formats, since HD is the way they were meant to be seen. He said leaving the Bluray group, which is obviously the larger groups support HD, leaving them out was a very stupid thing to do.

MasterXeus · 08-21-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POTC123

So you think that would be the end, NO. Later that night, due probably to P/D annoucement, Fox and MGM stated they were going exclusively blu, and announced nearly 30 new and classic movies in the next 3 months.

I think it should say

Fox and MGM stated they would be returning to Blu, and announced nearly 30 new and classic movies in the next 3 months.

Fox and MGM have always been exclusive to Blu-ray, yes they haven't release anything since March, but they were never neutral or HD-DVD.

dobyblue · 08-21-2007, 03:37 PM

Where is the link to what Spielberg said?

darinp2 · 08-21-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POTC123

Stephen Spielberg was very upset by this and said he will not allow his films to be released on HD-DVD, and threatened to sell Dreamworks to another company.

Where did this come from? From what I've seen the films he has directed would be released on both formats. And the rumors of splitting off at the end of next year were way before this announcement, and I'm not sure what he would be able to take with him even if he did go.

--Darin

POTC123 · 08-21-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterXeus

I think it should say

Fox and MGM stated they would be returning to Blu, and announced nearly 30 new and classic movies in the next 3 months.

Fox and MGM have always been exclusive to Blu-ray, yes they haven't release anything since March, but they were never neutral or HD-DVD.

ok, thats sounds better

Iceman_II · 08-21-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darinp2

Where did this come from? From what I've seen the films he has directed would be released on both formats. And the rumors of splitting off at the end of next year were way before this announcement, and I'm not sure what he would be able to take with him even if he did go.

--Darin

I think a lot of this can be a conclusion drawn from the fact that he won't let Universal release any of his powerhouse movies in their catalog, while only allowing CE3K to be released, which is exclusive to blu. For all I know, the bit about selling off could be simply "embellishment"

u_nick · 08-21-2007, 03:47 PM

Here's MB's offical post"

"I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible. For them to deny people who have Blu-ray sucks! They were progressive by having two formats. No Transformers 2 for me!"

I think the Spielberg stuff is mostly assumption. I think both Spielberg & Lucas own a bigger portion of the movies they do, as they co=produce many of them, paying with their own money. So they may have stock to choose, as if they were their own studio.

funkybudda · 08-21-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Where is the link to what Spielberg said?

yes,

Im curious to see an actual statement post myself, please share the link, or it will just be bs...

skubrick · 08-21-2007, 03:53 PM

This war was really interesting to begin with. Now it's almost fun to see these Hollywood heavyweights punching each other.

Michael Bay is like one of the top 5 biggest/powerful people in movies. His reply is just as big as Paramounts decision as he is worth well over 150M in future movies for the company. And it lets the media slap Paramount around as foolish.

I'm tempted to pop some popcorn and just watch the headlines roll in over this battle...

08-21-2007, 01:36 PM	#1
POTC123 Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:New Jersey	Aug. 20th-21st, 2007, biggest battle of the format war!!! Over the last 24 hours we have seen the largest and most public, development of the Format War since its inception last June. It began around noon yesterday with the announcement of Paramount/Dreamworks flip to only support HD-DVD. This came as a shock and blow to everyone, especially the supporters of Blu-ray. It also was weird due to Blu-ray sales out numbering HD-DVD 2 to 1, and the iminent end of the war looking promising for a blu-ray victory. Stephen Spielberg was very upset by this and said he will not allow his films to be released on HD-DVD, and threatened to sell Dreamworks to another company. So you think that would be the end, NO. Later that night, due probably to P/D annoucement, Fox and MGM stated they were going exclusively blu, and announced nearly 30 new and classic movies in the next 3 months. Later, the BDA stated that they also found it werid that P/D decided to flip. It was revealed this morning that Micheal Bay(GOD) has expressed his feelings towards Paramount, saying he doesn't want his movies to be released on a weaker format, and wants the best quality possible, and states he will not direct/write/produce a Transformers 2. Finally, The NY Times revealed the rumor was true, and Paramount and Dreamworks recieved a 150 million bribe for supporters of HD-DVD to go exclusive. What new develpoments will we see in the next 24 hours???

08-21-2007, 01:56 PM	#4
Rheologuy Active Member Member since:Apr 2007	If it were illegal for Paramount to accept financial consideration to support HD-DVD exclusively, as dialog_gvf has said elsewhere, why would Viacom executives admit having done it to the New York Times? Why would the SEC be interested? And what could they do to reverse this? BTW, I hope you're right. Last edited by Rheologuy; 08-21-2007 at 02:00 PM.

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08-21-2007, 01:39 PM	#2
dialog_gvf Moderator Member since:Nov 2006 Location:Toronto Blu-ray collection:320	How about an SEC investigation into whether executives received bribes for this decision? I would personally like to see a major retailer take an anti-HD DVD stand on selling discs.

08-21-2007, 01:51 PM	#3
POTC123 Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:New Jersey	that would be something to see

08-21-2007, 02:06 PM	#5
xcntuatd77 Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Trading Score:19	My thoughts: The decision by michael bay to now no longer direct and produce transformer 2 was an EXCELLENT strategy. Although as of right now, i am really bummed about no transformers sequel - or trilogy as a trilogy was already confirmed by him during a press conference, no longer directing a sequel will now light the pants of all those executives. These guys failed to realize that he directed and made this HUGE blockbuster for paramount. Currently 24th best movies alltime- from box office sales, and 5th best movie for paramount all time. Now that hes no longer goign to direct a sequel for this blockbuster, its defintiely going to send vibes through to paramount. This short term deal was just that, withouht foreseeing properly what the impact blockbusters like transformers will have. Now that he has clearly stated he will not direct transformers, paramount has definitely got it good way up their *******s.

08-21-2007, 02:11 PM	#6
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Latest rumors is that Paramount, after loosing it's star director and being unable to release Speilberg films, and being questioned by not just the Blu-ray consumers, but also the directors and BDA... may be reconsidering their stance. We'll see. But it is only an 18 month arrangement.

08-21-2007, 02:19 PM	#7
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	The SEC may be interested, depending on HOW paramount and dream works report the 150M Bribes can not be reported as earnings, if they try to report them as earnings, they are violating the law. If they DON'T report them as earnings, their bottom line will suffer because of the lost revenue from sales of BD that aren't occuring... this SHOULD hit their stock price. Even if they do get around the whole "reporting bribes as earnings" and keep this quarter up with the cash inflo from M$, their share holders are not going to be happy when they realize that their profits for the next 5 quarters will be lower because the execs lined their pockets this quarter... investors will not be happy.

08-21-2007, 02:29 PM	#8
POTC123 Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:New Jersey	Paramount skrewed the pooch on this one, i cna believe what has happened due to this deal, and in such short time

08-21-2007, 02:35 PM	#9
kabraal Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Pretoria, South Africa	i was there...bloody terrible

08-21-2007, 03:33 PM	#12
u_nick Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CT, US Trading Score:27	I dont think Bay called HD the weaker format, but rather expressed his feelings that he wanted them on BOTH HD formats, since HD is the way they were meant to be seen. He said leaving the Bluray group, which is obviously the larger groups support HD, leaving them out was a very stupid thing to do.

08-21-2007, 03:37 PM	#14
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	Where is the link to what Spielberg said?

08-21-2007, 03:47 PM	#18
u_nick Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CT, US Trading Score:27	Here's MB's offical post" "I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible. For them to deny people who have Blu-ray sucks! They were progressive by having two formats. No Transformers 2 for me!" I think the Spielberg stuff is mostly assumption. I think both Spielberg & Lucas own a bigger portion of the movies they do, as they co=produce many of them, paying with their own money. So they may have stock to choose, as if they were their own studio.

08-21-2007, 03:53 PM	#20
skubrick Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Work at BR Blockbuster store in Lincoln, NE	This war was really interesting to begin with. Now it's almost fun to see these Hollywood heavyweights punching each other. Michael Bay is like one of the top 5 biggest/powerful people in movies. His reply is just as big as Paramounts decision as he is worth well over 150M in future movies for the company. And it lets the media slap Paramount around as foolish. I'm tempted to pop some popcorn and just watch the headlines roll in over this battle...

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