Interesting Conversation (Universal)

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

Finally she said that no more major studios will shift support one-way or the other this year to her knowledge, however she fully expects Universal to go format neutral in the beginning of 2008.

~Josh

Did she think that a couple of weeks ago, as well? I ask because, in regards to the Paramount deal, all I have read is that only the people who are highest on the totem pole there knew of the switch. This was evident by matters regarding Blades of Glory on BD being discussed less than a week before Paramount's move.

I would like to believe that sentiment, but seeing how quickly Paramount dropped BD for some microsoft suitcases, I wonder how much of an insider she is. I'm not challenging her, it's just that the Paramount thing changed the way this game is played, as it happened so quickly

[ProvenFlipper]

If Universal goes neutral, I would pretty much declare the format war over. IMO Paramount wouldn't be as solid of an exclusive as Universal was for HD-DVD. Paramount doesn't seem to be pumping out the releases like the other major studios are.

I wish Warner and Universal would realize that more HD-DVD owners also own Blu-ray than BD owners who own HD-DVD players. Meaning that if they went exclusive BD, their sales wouldn't drop that much at all, if anything, the sales would skyrocket due to the format war being over and more people buying into BD.

[BigB88]

Originally Posted by Deane Johnson

If Universal wanted to "stick it to Paramount" over the bad feelings, they could announce going format neutral right away, leaving Paramount as the lone bad boy.

Not exactly, I believe they are under contract with the HD-DVD camp until the end of September, so they would have to at least wait until then. I think going neutral at the beginning of 2008 makes sense for them, if this is indeed true, time will tell.

[GarettP]

Once I see Bourne on Blu, then I will believe it.

[CptGreedle]

It is true, Logic dictates that any move toward the more popular and widely accepted medium would benefit financially. However since when did major companies rely on logic?

Look at Paramount... that was the stupidest move they could make, and not the first time they've done something stupid like that either.

[beatboy77]

Originally Posted by nhaase

Did she think that a couple of weeks ago, as well? I ask because, in regards to the Paramount deal, all I have read is that only the people who are highest on the totem pole there knew of the switch. This was evident by matters regarding Blades of Glory on BD being discussed less than a week before Paramount's move.

I would like to believe that sentiment, but seeing how quickly Paramount dropped BD for some microsoft suitcases, I wonder how much of an insider she is. I'm not challenging her, it's just that the Paramount thing changed the way this game is played, as it happened so quickly

I actually did not speak to her about if she saw it coming, but I do have a similar contact at Paramount in the Marketing Department and she was shocked by the decision. Even her boss had no idea it was coming. That move caught the entire industry by surprise.

~Josh

[Balquin]

I know for me that the Bourne series is a must. When I first got into really paying attention to the format war I was really disappointed that Bourne was not on BD. There are a couple of other films they have I would snag right away as well. I know I would forage up some cash somewhere to get the trilogy on BD!

[CptGreedle]

Similarly, if WB was to pull the same stunt (which I doubt), than who would see it coming?
I heard a lot of people in management positions in Paramount had no idea it was going to happen and still disagree with their choice. The higher-ups who pocket that $150 mil can do what they want since they are making 30X the salary of anyone else there and these things mean more money to them. So if they think it will make them more, they won't hesitate to jump on it, even if it is a stupid decision.

[BigB88]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

I actually did not speak to her about if she saw it coming, but I do have a similar contact at Paramount in the Marketing Department and she was shocked by the decision. Even her boss had no idea it was coming. That move caught the entire industry by surprise.

~Josh

I think this was a Viacom decision, not a Para***** one, but Para***** bears the brunt, because quite frankly, they prostituted themselves in public, whether they ALL knew or not. This was a bad move on all fronts. In two years time that $150m will be as cursed as the Gold in Pirates of the Caribbean. They are going to be very sorry they took that money and ran.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

I actually did not speak to her about if she saw it coming, but I do have a similar contact at Paramount in the Marketing Department and she was shocked by the decision. Even her boss had no idea it was coming. That move caught the entire industry by surprise.

~Josh

No one saw it coming. The tech people inside Paramount are said to be very unhappy at the decision. Even the BDA found out too late, and these guys are very well connected. The "ink" dried before most people inside Hollywood knew about it, only a few financial companies and the companies involved in the deal had any prior warning.

[Wet1]

The bad side to this is that HD-DVD could gain momentum between now and Q1 2008, which would make Uni's potential move to neutral less tempting.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Wet1

The bad side to this is that HD-DVD could gain momentum between now and Q1 2008, which would make Uni's potential move to neutral less tempting.

You are not taking into account moves made by the BDA when calculating HD DVDs momentum if you think it is going to be enough to stop this from happening.

[Wet1]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

You are not taking into account moves made by the BDA when calculating HD DVDs momentum if you think it is going to be enough to stop this from happening.

Notice I said "could". A lot can happen between now and Q1 2008.

[tobytobe2002]

This information seems to contradict what Penton Man said in the insider's thread:

"I don’t want to raise false hopes. I'm not a FUD-meister or a Softspin-meister.

As of now, any favorable Blu announcement expected by Uni at or around the time of next year’s CES is pretty much analogous to the existence of a snow ball in hell.
Aint gonna happen, at least not then. Those Uni boys made their bed and now they’re going to sleep in it for awhile longer. The Paramount *deci$ion* is independently exclusive of what Uni will or won’t do in the foreseeable future."

[yakman]

Aren't Universal and Paramount both going to end up on the same format anyway when HD goes away?

[jason_grumpy]

Originally Posted by yakman

Aren't Universal and Paramount both going to end up on the same format anyway when HD goes away?

Competition is a lot different than cooperation.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

I actually did not speak to her about if she saw it coming, but I do have a similar contact at Paramount in the Marketing Department and she was shocked by the decision. Even her boss had no idea it was coming. That move caught the entire industry by surprise.

~Josh

Cool, thanks for the info.

[supersix4]

BOMBO!!!! lol anyway tahnks for posting I'd love for you to be wrong and boom UNI GOES BLU ... lol btw ....thanks for the INSIDE INFORMATION

[Teazle]

Originally Posted by beatboy77

I completely understand your frustration as often the news I hear does not come to fruition.
...

In which case it isn't really news after all. For my part I'm not running off to the bookies on this one,.

[GasCat]

I have to wonder if Universal is now asking where's their money. If Toshiba paid Paramount for going, how much for Universal's staying? I wouldn't be surprised if Toshiba gave Uni many freebies at the same time. If they didn't get any money Universal should be angry.

Why would Universal miss out on the holiday shopping season? That doesn't make sense to me. Their hands must be bound in a similar contract and investors should demand to have the answers. Some of this inside information is no doubt being used by those who are actually in the know.