High Def 2.0 Conference (12/4/07 Today!)

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by darinp2

I also think Universal should be giving some thought to the stuff in that article. No way is a stalemate for years good for Universal. And if Warner goes to Blu-ray they lose almost all the leverage they have right now. Of course, if Warner goes Universal's direction they can party, but if their main concern is money, then I think they should be considering beating Warner to the punch. If Universal went neutral it would take away much of the leverage Warner and New Line can use against the Blu-ray side. Not all of it, but much of it. While Warner is watching what is happening in Q4, Universal should be also if there is any chance they might want to be the first mover from now (and get compensated for moving first).

That's RIGHT ON, Darin. Only wrinkle is that Penton-Man has said publicly that we shouldn't expect any "news" from Universal early in 2008. I believe the words he used were "Snowball's chance in hell".

But I also wonder if "Snowball's chance in hell" could change REAL FAST if Universal hears through the grapevine that WB is likely to go BD excl. Universal was obviously courted last year by the BDA (and declined), and you're right they will lose all that leverage if WB jumps first.