Well, Paramount just made the fight more interesting

[mikey3319]

was Parmount bought off or something?? Makes no sense that their movies sold more with BLU than HD. Yet they choose HDDVD?? Are they gettin' paid off or something!!!!

[seanjohn21276]

Originally Posted by mikey3319

was Parmount bought off or something?? Makes no sense that their movies sold more with BLU than HD. Yet they choose HDDVD?? Are they gettin' paid off or something!!!!

You just answered your own question right there. I guess it's time for Sony to pull out their wallets and make backdoor deals too. I don't see the logic behind Paramount's decision. I guess MS & Toshiba must have bottomless pockets or are going to cut Paramount in on HD-DVD profits or something.

[WickyWoo]

They absolutely need to pay Warner enough to stop them from going HD exclusive like they want to, there is no question now, whatever it takes

[hvacigar]

I was thinking things were looking pretty dead for HD DVD, and Blu-ray was playing out the end game. This is a most unpredicted step for a major studio to make. People may say that they will not miss them, but the fact of the matter is that Dreamworks is a Major player to lose on HD for Blu.

Looks like my move to format neutral will pay off as this thing is going into extra innings, and there doesn't look to be a closer in sight.

[funkybudda]

it certainly does suck badly for the blu camp. Transformer was by far my fav summer movie and sure will sell.

SPiderman was bad, so bad that I wouldnt even want to buy the box set for it.

[calgarymarc]

For those of you unsure about what we're talking about, please see the below press release from Paramount:

http://www.viacom.com/NEWS/NewsText.aspx?RID=1042073

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 OfficeLOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) and DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE: DWA), 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.

[aqupunk]

No way they must be having Transformers on both formats!?! Why would a studio make such a bad decision? I bet this will change soon watch a retraction statement any hour now.

[BStecke]

I'm confused. Is Blades of Glory still coming out on Blu as their last release, or is that their FIRST HD DVD exclusive? This is total fu$king bulls*it.

[iceman]

Please use this thread:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=14098