What about Warner? Part the Second

[sj001]

They can spin all they want, but losing WB is one damn tough one to spin, and they will never recover from it.

[Mann9]

Will Warners re-release their HD DVD titles in Bluray ? There are a few I'd like to own/view.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by sj001

They can spin all they want, but losing WB is one damn tough one to spin, and they will never recover from it.

the ones that do spin it are going to say things like this.

1. It's fine, they are under contract and will be back before xmas 09.
2. They released all their good titles on HD DVD already.
3. There are titles that are on HD DVD exclusively that still havn't been announced for blu-ray.
4. Yeah, they got WB, but we are getting (insert BD studio here), plus we already have lots of WB titles, this just means more for us.
5. They can't win until Paramount and Universal go neutral and they know that HD DVD is teh way to go.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

the ones that do spin it are going to say things like this.

1. It's fine, they are under contract and will be back before xmas 09.
2. They released all their good titles on HD DVD already.
3. There are titles that are on HD DVD exclusively that still havn't been announced for blu-ray.
4. Yeah, they got WB, but we are getting (insert BD studio here), plus we already have lots of WB titles, this just means more for us.
5. They can't win until Paramount and Universal go neutral and they know that HD DVD is teh way to go.

I agree, after all the panic and red ants scrambling... they will make up this BS. But either Toshiba will implode, the HD-DVD PG will disband, or the retailers will drop HD-DVD altogether if this happens after a few months. They cannot even come close with just Uni and Para.

[Longshot]

We will know if there is any major announcements from either side or the studios themselves. IF WB does decide to go Bd exclusive we most certainly will hear about this before next weekend. If there is no WB announcement by next Friday I expect the same dog & pony show from each camp. Like most Bd fans I desperately want Warner to end this thing but I'm not holding my breath.

Let's hope between Jan. 1st and next Friday that Howard Stringer, Andy Parsons and Bob Chapek get the new CEO of Time Warner in a conference room and don't let him out until a deal is agreed upon.

Happy New Year to all my blu-brothers and insiders!

[gandley]

Wont just be WB though would it. If WB go, New Line will follow straight away.

HD DVD just wont survive that. LOTR BD exclusive. need anyone say anymore if that happens.

[stockstar1138]

CES is in 10 days, i think it will be a tad longer than a week from now, but not too much farther. if in two weeks wb hasn't made it obvious then i think nothing is going to happen for a while.

[navychop]

Yep. 2 weeks. Unless somebody spills the beans, risking their job over a leak.

[kurtlingle]

Please let it be announced....
Please let it be announced...
Please...

:-)

I'm with you all the way. It's been the longest time since that first rumor by LionsGate CEO (or whatever his position is). Seems like years...

[sj001]

I would say give it at least until mid-January, there is no guarantee they will announce at CES. But if they don't by later in January, things may not change for a while.

[navychop]

Originally Posted by SpikesBluBlooded

And let's not forget that once Warner goes Blu-exclusive, there's no reason for Paramount and Dreamworks to remain HD DVD exclusive once they're contract is up (by the end of '08 some time, right?). That will leave HD DVD with just pretty much Universal at that point, if they're still alive at all...

I think that P/D contract is up March of '09. However, there are likely "escape clauses" built in to allow an earlier exit, just in case. Or Toshiba may throw in the towel and release them at some point during '08, if WB does in fact go Blu-ray exclusive. Even with a history of bad blood, it can only be so long after a WB "defection" before Universal caves. I'd expect Toshiba to try to resort to legal action, if at all possible, to keep themselves going. It's my understanding things aren't looking too good for Toshiba in general, with the losses they took on SED, OLED and elsewhere.

I doubt HD DVD will die out as slowly as Beta did. There are two upcoming possibilities I'd like to see:
1. WB going Blu-ray exclusive in Q1, preferably in January and with no more HD DVD releases, announced or not.
2. Retailers, beginning with major retailer announcements, dropping HD DVD. Both players and titles would be best, but simply dropping the players would likely be sufficient.

[ikbradley]

I just don't see a big announcement from Warner Brothers about choosing a side. I doubt a company wishes to be seen as one that abandons ship and receive the same luke warm reception that was given to Paramount/Dreamworks.

It will most likely the BDA (Sony), but again, the optics of it are bad.

I hope that I'm wrong, but I imagine that Warner Brothers will slowly wind down production with HD DVD, get rid of old stock and delay release dates. Once the well has run dry, then an announcement is made while minimizing the fall out from HD DVD boycotting and media backlash.

[TruBlu2]

It will probably be announced no later then Feb. 28th

[sj001]

Originally Posted by ikbradley

I just don't see a big announcement from Warner Brothers about choosing a side. I doubt a company wishes to be seen as one that abandons ship and receive the same luke warm reception that was given to Paramount/Dreamworks.

It will most likely the BDA (Sony), but again, the optics of it are bad.

I hope that I'm wrong, but I imagine that Warner Brothers will slowly wind down production with HD DVD, get rid of old stock and delay release dates. Once the well has run dry, then an announcement is made while minimizing the fall out from HD DVD boycotting and media backlash.

There is a quote somewhere in the threads regarding Warner's key shareholders working with their new CEO Jeffrey Bewkes on ways to raise the stock values. One thing that was brought up was to embrace Blu-ray no matter what the backlash is. I'll have to see if I can find a link, I just saw the quote this morning on this site.

[bhampton]

Hey,

Just want to say,.. I doubt WB will go Blu at CES. That would just simply be "too good to be true" type of stuff. HD DUD sold a boat load of players and lots of people just bought into HD via the bargain basement HD DUD players and are just beginning to sample HD Media on Optical at home. Killing HD DUD in January would be stone cold,.. a simple kick in the teeth.

Whomever bought the HD DUD junk deserves it for not reading up and learning about and choosing the superior format,.. but I still don't think it's going to go down that way.

Of course,..BIG BIG MONEY can do some crazy stuff. I think that's what was behind the Paramount mistake and I wouldn't mind putting that shoe on the other foot.

I'm enjoying Blu Ray so much,... it's taken over my theater like DVD did. I was happy when DivX DVD's (remember those? they would self destruct after viewing) bit the dust and will be thrilled with HD DUD follow suit but I think February is more realistic.

-Brian

[Rustmonsteru]

Buy the movies you like and stop worrying about things. It does nothing but give you an ulcer.

[gandley]

lets see those BD live players, and end the last talking point of HD DVD.

would also like to see the other BDA partners put there players into retail rather than just show them at shows.

[ryoohki]

Thurst me, in 2 months you still be .... nothing will have change.

The best way for force studio out, is for the BDA to buy Best Buy out and tell them to go BluRay exclusive for X amount of money or whatever, then HD DVD will become a Amazon.com Exclusive format..

[davidPS3]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

CES is in 10 days, i think it will be a tad longer than a week from now, but not too much farther. if in two weeks wb hasn't made it obvious then i think nothing is going to happen for a while.

I agree and I think that most of us are on the same page. If the annoucement is going to be made, it will be at the show, not prior.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

If there are any major announcements that refer to the overall continuation (or discontinuation) of the format war, they probably won't be until after CES... but it will most likely be before February.