Paramount/DreamWorks are HD DVD exclusive

[Gamma_Winstead]

If this is true we should all boycott Paramount. I have and HD 360 add on that I got for my birthday but I will not buy their dumbed down SH*T!

[Dadds]

Now this will also allow dvd to last for another 10 years untouched.

[JBlacklow]

****, the press release is out:

PARAMOUNT AND DREAMWORKS ANIMATION EACH DECLARE EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT FOR HD DVD

Movies Distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment Including Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation SKG, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films to be Released Exclusively in HD DVD

Exclusive Program To Begin with Release of “Blades of Glory,” Followed by “Transformers” and “Shrek the Third,” Films Representing More Than $1.5 Billion in Combined Worldwide Box Office

Los Angeles, CA, August 20, 2007 – Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) and DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSEWA), each announced today that they will exclusively support the next-generation HD DVD format on a worldwide basis. The exclusive HD DVD commitment will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.

The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively in the HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current market offerings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly its market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs. Paramount Home Entertainment will launch its exclusive HD DVD program with the release of the blockbuster comedy hit “Blades of Glory” on August 28th and follow with two of the biggest grossing movies of the year “Transformers” and “Shrek the Third”. These three titles alone represent more than $1.5 billion in box office ticket sales worldwide.

“The combination of Paramount and DreamWorks Animation brings a critical mass of current box office hits to consumers with a line-up of live action and animated films that are perfect for HD DVD,” stated Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, which is currently the leading studio in domestic box office. “Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience. I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount.”

“We decided to release “Shrek the Third” and other DreamWorks Animation titles exclusively on HD DVD because we believe it is the best format to bring high quality home entertainment to a key segment of our audience – families,” stated DreamWorks Animation CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg. “We believe the combination of this year’s low- priced HD DVD players and the commitment to release a significant number of hit titles in the fall makes HD DVD the best way to view movies at home.”

With the rapid increase of HD TV screens in households, and audiences wanting to enjoy the total entertainment experience, HD DVD has emerged as the most affordable way for consumers to watch their movies in high definition. In addition to pristine quality, HD DVD also offers consumers the chance to personalize the movie-watching experience, to interact with their movies and even to connect with a community of other fans.

Paramount Home Entertainment will issue new releases day and date as well as catalog titles exclusively on HD DVD. Today’s announcement does not include films directed by Steven Spielberg as his films are not exclusive to either format.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios and Worldwide Television Distribution.



About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The Company has theatrically released a total of fourteen animated feature films, including Antz, Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Over the Hedge, Flushed Away, and Shrek the Third. DreamWorks Animation’s newest release, Bee Movie, opens in theaters November 2, 2007.

[shug7272]

Well this does it for me. No more blu ray purchases until Sony gets its head out.

[movies3]

this is a bunch of BS....grrrrrrr they are so stupid!

[Spankey]

I am really going to think twice about expanding either library right now.

Is it legal for a studio to receive money to support one format over the other?

How would Paramount justify taking one side over another if sales numbers are higher for Blu-ray than HD-DVD.

I also expect Warner to go HD-DVD exclusive.

If this is the case, both formats are now DEAD!

[shadowmoon]

Guys, you have to remember, 150 mil in the HD market is HUGE! Thats cash infusion into their EPS and make stock holder happy. With this war and the pressure of keeping the cost down (which means profit margin low), the amount of HD products sold is still a very small share of the market, and the cost of keeping 2 production lines, has led to the conversion of Paramount. Yes HD DVD is a smaller share of the market, and yes Blu-ray is the future, but right now at this point, Paramount stand to lose more if they stay neutral.

What I think, is Sony should instead of spending 100mil on commericials this holiday season and lose studio support of a major studio, they should have spend more money (yes I know its against the Sony principle of paying 3rd party for exclusive titles, just like the PS3 games) and secure the support of studios. It's kinda like HD DVD and their ad campaign, what good is it to spend money on commercials when the consumer goes into the store and realized BD has so much more to offer. HD DVD commercials were doing BD a favor IMO. I do agree the consumers needs to be educated, but maybe not 100mil worth.

[w_tanoto]

I'm OFFICIALLY BOYCOTTING PARAMOUNT/DREAMCAST.

[WriteSimply]

By the way, somebody may wanna call up Department of Justice. If Paramount got paid to CONTINUE to be neutral, is one thing. It got paid to be HD-DVD exclusive. There's a case right there.


fuad

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

I'm OFFICIALLY BOYCOTTING PARAMOUNT/DREAMCAST.

I am in.

[CptGreedle]

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

I'm OFFICIALLY BOYCOTTING PARAMOUNT/DREAMCAST.

Dreamworks.. not dreamcast.

[dialog_gvf]

Wow. Well folks, if Warner goes HD DVD exclusive, then Blu-ray could very well LOSE this war.

The Blu-ray momentum is completely dead as of right now. And a LOT of people are going to react to this by stopping purchasing Blu-ray discs. And a lot of people are going to react to this by purchasing HD DVD discs.

The clock is ticking. MAJOR counter announcements are needed from the BDA this week, or Blu-ray is in serious trouble.

What is unbelievable, is the consumer has ONE real HD DVD player choice, and that is supposed to be good?

Gary

P.S. Let me be clear: Except for Fox, I am not upset with the BDA in any way. They have been doing a great job on players and titles.

But, this is a bought and paid for massive swing in the war. It will be interesting to see if it holds up to anti-trust scrutiny.

[matthewrounds]

We could really use a Star Wars, LOTR, etc on BD announcement!

This really sucks!

[frank_t]

Originally Posted by Spankey

I am really going to think twice about expanding either library right now.

Is it legal for a studio to receive money to support one format over the other?

How would Paramount justify taking one side over another if sales numbers are higher for Blu-ray than HD-DVD.

I also expect Warner to go HD-DVD exclusive.

If this is the case, both formats are now DEAD!

bummer.

and so the potential for another SACD/DVD-A fiasco continues.

[Spankey]

So was Blades of Glory pressed or not?

It is still available for pre-order. A little bizarre if Paramount decided to destroy an entire lot of discs on a whim. A lot of money changed hands here. Since Penton isn't commenting, there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

Still..as of today..it is foolish to buy into either format.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by matthewrounds

We could really use a Star Wars, LOTR, etc on BD announcement!

This really sucks!

LOTR is New Line. And they are neutral as of this moment. But, haven't released anything yet.

And Warner goes exclusive with all those Blade Runner pre-orders already in?

Gary

[Joshkc2004]

so does that mean transformers will only be in hd dvd
if so that f***ing sucks!!!!

[w_tanoto]

If I were to hear paramount's name, it is not as huge as if I hear DISNEY or FOX or Warner Brothers or Universal. I will still support BD, based on more popular studios supporting it. Paramount is nothing. FOX needs to do something.

[Spankey]

The Blu-ray momentum is completely dead as of right now. And a LOT of people are going to react to this by stopping purchasing Blu-ray discs. And a lot of people are going to react to this by purchase HD DVD discs.

Yep! The sad thing is, that Blu-ray just about won. Studios were at least going neutral with sales figures being the leading indicator.

The HD-DVD people were always saying that 4th quarter would be the indicator, so Universal had to know this was coming. Oh well. Tell me why I should buy into either format now?

Warner's cancelling of it's dual format disk leads me to believe they are going to stick with one side.

[D1-2005]

I thought ms wasn't backing hd because it wasn't a proven format, and thats why the 360 still just has a dvd drive, ill say this though, if they are backing it, at least sony has the balls to include a blu drive in the ps3, shows who believes in their product.