Studio exclusivity deals?

[Petey Pablo]

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

[glenn22]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

A lot of people feel that the reason Warner released a lot of movies on HD-DVD that weren't also released on Blu-ray had a lot to do with Mr. Nickerson being in charge there. He was very much pro-HD-DVD and used to work for Toshiba. He has since resigned (no one knows if he was forced or not) and since then Warner seems to have warmed up to Blu-ray a lot.

The Universal thing has never really been confirmed in any way. Execs from Universal have been sniffing around Blu-ray facilities for quite a while, so there is interest, but impossible to say if that will turn into anything or not.

[radagast]

Originally Posted by glenn22

A lot of people feel that the reason Warner released a lot of movies on HD-DVD that weren't also released on Blu-ray had a lot to do with Mr. Nickerson being in charge there. He was very much pro-HD-DVD and used to work for Toshiba. He has since resigned (no one knows if he was forced or not) and since then Warner seems to have warmed up to Blu-ray a lot.

I personally believe the order was reversed. I believe Warner warmed to Blu and Nickerson left becuase of it OR was asked to leave.

[TorpedoShockwave]

Originally Posted by glenn22

A lot of people feel that the reason Warner released a lot of movies on HD-DVD that weren't also released on Blu-ray had a lot to do with Mr. Nickerson being in charge there. He was very much pro-HD-DVD and used to work for Toshiba. He has since resigned (no one knows if he was forced or not) and since then Warner seems to have warmed up to Blu-ray a lot.

The Universal thing has never really been confirmed in any way. Execs from Universal have been sniffing around Blu-ray facilities for quite a while, so there is interest, but impossible to say if that will turn into anything or not.

You are somewhat correct; also WB stated Blu-Ray came out before it was fully completed, premature birth. For example, no PIP support, no BD Live support, early players had BD Java problems, and no true DTS HD MA support. WB was waiting for at least spec 1.1 (BD-PIP support) to be finalized and 2.0 (BD-Live) not mentioned.

However, I could care less; I have many collector/special editions of games and movies. As I can recall I had never even used any of the bonus contents. For example, POTC movies had special BD-J features and I had not even click on the bonus menu. To me the big deal is the feature film, not the extra contents.

All these bonus features hurt us in the long run, it increases the cost, and in this HD war, it brings HD-DVD trolls to BD forms.

In conclusion, it was bogus of WB to exclude certain films on BD, considering the main purpose is to watch the film, not enjoy the bonus features. Mater of fact the bonus features hurt sales; all the HD-DVD counterparts are more expensive.

Well done WB, great plan, make HD-DVDs cost more then BD therefore it can stun the HD-DVD sales.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by TorpedoShockwave

However, I could care less; I have many collector/special editions of games and movies. As I can recall I had never even used any of the bonus contents. For example, POTC movies had special BD-J features and I had not even click on the bonus menu. To me the big deal is the feature film, not the extra contents.

I have to admit I did use a bonus feature from a Collector's Edition once.

It was World of Warcraft. I whipped out that little pet you get with the Collector's Edition a couple times when I was still playing it. People would say, 'Oh! You have the Collector's Edition!', then never speak to me again because of the jealousy and envy they felt about not having that little pet as well. Kind of the story of World of Dramacraft.

[blu-rayfan101]

I think WB will release the movies that are only on hd dvd right now because they have it on their website listed as upcoming releases. Second when all the blu-ray features are ready and out i think WB will releasae them.
When Universals contract runs out i think they will want more money and if Toshiba doesnt give them money they will go neutral then Universal might want money to stay neutral or go blu exclusive. But in the end if WB releases their make-up titles or Universal go neutral that will be a big score for blu-ray, and if both happens then SCORE!

[HK-48]

I bet after the contract is up, Universal will go neutral unless M$ and To$hiba get out the checkbook. I hope though, that they won't give Universal the money. I agree with how Paramount was chosen because To$hiba wasn't sure if Universal would want to continue. Plus Paramount was the most successful studio during the summer unfortunately. I hope they bomb next year. Universal got 5th place, Sony got 4th, Disney got 3rd, Warner got 2nd, and Fox got 6th.

Here is what I hope will happen: Universal will go neutral and cite crappy HD DEAD sales and Blu-Ray popularity/PS3 as their reasons. Then Sony, Disney, Fox, and all the Blu-Ray Disc Association's Board of Directors come up with a nice sum of cash to hand over to Universal and BAM, Universal goes Blu-Ray exclusive. Vivendi probably wants them to go Blu-Ray excluisve, since Universal Music Group, which is owned by Vivendi, only supports Blu-Ray.

I know this is wishful thinking, but it could happen. It seems both sides have been trying to get Warner exclusively on their side, but Warner is letting the consumer decide. IThey will go Blu-Ray exlcusive if everything keeps going like this, unless Harry Potter and all their other movies sell like a million on HD DEAD and none on Blu-Ray.

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

which titles are you referring to?

[WickyWoo]

There's 25 titles the vast majority of which are still unnannounced on Blu-Ray

There was definately something changing hands on those titles, but those deals are reportedly only for a year, so expect to see them trickle out over the next year

Universal is schizo if you ask me. The Universal Music Group is a member of the BDA but their movie division is hd-dud. Makes no sense to me.

Universal Music was retailed by Vivendi, same name, totally diff company

[Petey Pablo]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

There's 25 titles the vast majority of which are still unnannounced on Blu-Ray

There was definately something changing hands on those titles, but those deals are reportedly only for a year, so expect to see them trickle out over the next year



Universal Music was retailed by Vivendi, same name, totally diff company

Wouldn't there be some sort of cold shoulder given by the rest of the BDA to WB for those kind of actions based on their place they hold as Board member?

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

There's 25 titles the vast majority of which are still unnannounced on Blu-Ray

There's 22 now (21 movies + 1 TV season)
(and with Polar Express' announced date, that's down to 21 total)

[Petey Pablo]

Originally Posted by jermwhl

which titles are you referring to?

Just like Batman Begin, and The Matrix ect..

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

Just like Batman Begin, and The Matrix ect..

They technically aren't exclusive titles, they just haven't been released on BD...yet. They are coming eventually. Hopefully sooner than later.

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

Universal is schizo if you ask me. The Universal Music Group is a member of the BDA but their movie division is hd-dud. Makes no sense to me.

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by Petey Pablo

I was just thinking about the exclusive titles that were release on HDDVD from WB and wanted to know exactly if this was a back room deal or not? If it was that is kinda crappy to have a studio like WB, a BDA board member release great titles exclusive to HDDVD. It just calls in to question their true loyalty. Has there been any true known fact as to the leangth of Universal's exclusivity deal and the likely hood of them going neutral or Blu-ray exclusive by the end of the 4Q?

No this was not a backroom situation. Because HD DVD has all of its standards set, WB was able to do all of the extra's the way the wanted to do them. Bluray specifications were not complete, and WB did not want to do unequal releases on both formats, the wanted them to be the same. Once Bluray's standards are finalized, you see those titles released with the same extra's as the HD DVD.

You will probably not hear about any news about anything with Universal until later this year. I highly doubt they will go exclusive, they will most likely go neutral. We'll have to see.

[WickyWoo]

No this was not a backroom situation. Because HD DVD has all of its standards set, WB was able to do all of the extra's the way the wanted to do them. Bluray specifications were not complete, and WB did not want to do unequal releases on both formats, the wanted them to be the same. Once Bluray's standards are finalized, you see those titles released with the same extra's as the HD DVD.

Only a handful of those titles have IME. While that arguement may be there for Batman, V, or Charlie, it's certainly not valid for Robin Hood, Casablanca or Perfect Storm

[oneaaron]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Only a handful of those titles have IME. While that arguement may be there for Batman, V, or Charlie, it's certainly not valid for Robin Hood, Casablanca or Perfect Storm

Sure it is! have you seen Casablanca HD DVD if you have then you would know that it's valid...
Batman Begins, Constantine, Troy,
V for Vendetta, Perfect Storm,
Poseidon, Terminator 3,
and The Matrix Trilogy.
WB will release these movie on blu-ray sooner or later....

[richard lichtenfelt]

Originally Posted by oneaaron

Sure it is! have you seen Casablanca HD DVD if you have then you would know that it's valid...
Batman Begins, Constantine, Troy,
V for Vendetta, Perfect Storm,
Poseidon, Terminator 3,
and The Matrix Trilogy.
WB will release these movie on blu-ray sooner or later....

I'm trying just to find one blu-ray positive post by you.

[Papi4baby]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

I'm trying just to find one blu-ray positive post by you.

Sickem boy sickem out.

On a side note reviving old threads, look we now have Troy, i guess slowly but surely we will have the WB HDDVD only tittles.

Guys remember what the insider said once, Universal seems to have made the bed with HDDVD and aparently dont plan to get out of it. Also this contract thing is just speculation, nobody knows anything except top people and they aren't talking.

[oneaaron]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

I'm trying just to find one blu-ray positive post by you.

This was a positive thing I said!
WB will release these movies on blu-ray sooner or later.... and you know why I said it. Because I believe to be true. I'm not a fan boy like you are I call it like I see it. Right now blu-ray has better sound and HD DVD has better features that's the facts! Live with it.