How short sighted is Universal/NBC? - Blu-ray Forum

cartier · 08-31-2007, 03:41 PM

Everyone knows that Universal is HD-DVD exclusive and generally believe that they are extremely crazy for there hardline stance. However, is everyone at NBC/Universal stupid? I ask because I was reading an article about NBC leaving iTunes it is an interesting piece and definitely calls into question the decision making process at NBC/Universal.

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-976...g=2547-1_3-0-5

stockstar1138 · 08-31-2007, 03:43 PM

they've got to be being paid big bucks from somebody for these illogical decsions or we are going to see massive firings over the next few years.

glenn22 · 08-31-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartier

Everyone knows that Universal is HD-DVD exclusive and generally believe that they are extremely crazy for there hardline stance. However, is everyone at NBC/Universal stupid? I ask because I was reading an article about NBC leaving iTunes it is an interesting piece and definitely calls into question the decision making process at NBC/Universal.

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-976...g=2547-1_3-0-5

Someone over there is definitely on a power trip that is hurting Universal financially.

B-rad · 08-31-2007, 04:09 PM

Yeah, I read something about that yesterday. NBC and someone else are creating their own TV download type site.

gamer2600 · 08-31-2007, 04:15 PM

They are extremely near sited. I work for them I should know. Its all about money that they are very cheap, so if someone is going to give them a boat load to be exclusive then they will. They are stupid for not going blu and they are stupid about the iTunes deal as well

Uxi · 08-31-2007, 04:32 PM

I think they're making a strategic decision and they're selling all sorts of drech to HDDUD fanboys who have nothing else to buy. I see similar for Paramount. With Blu-ray, they were just another studio while they're now the savior of HDDVD (which would have been absolutely murdered in Q4 sales if Paramount hadn't been bought off).

bryaaaant · 08-31-2007, 04:52 PM

Isn't The Office (NBC) coming to Xbox Live..? Interesting..

Maxell · 08-31-2007, 05:11 PM

I wonder how badly Heroes Blu-ray would've beaten the HD-DVD if it had been released on blu.

supersix4 · 08-31-2007, 05:12 PM

meh I just hope they come around seems like where doing fine without paramount and them .... were gonna have a big couple months coming up

marzetta7 · 08-31-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamer2600

They are extremely near sited. I work for them I should know. Its all about money that they are very cheap, so if someone is going to give them a boat load to be exclusive then they will. They are stupid for not going blu and they are stupid about the iTunes deal as well

Interesting and welcome to the forum. I have to agree with you.

With this new move of theirs, are they going to be using their own site for downloads? Let me guess, using possbily a Microsoft solution for encoding? Wouldn't suprise me in the least. Another way for Microsoft to try and take away from Apple and iTunes, but much to the demise of Universal's profit IMO.

Section Urbaine · 08-31-2007, 06:01 PM

It is certainly interesting that (NBC) Universal is abandoning iTunes because of pricing and the apparent insufficient piracy protection (since when is the latter an issue - has it been compromised?)
Universal Music Group also dropped the contract and are doing their own experiment with non-DRM downloads.

(NBC) Universal will, however, make their shows (NBC, SciFi etc.) available through Xbox Live in HD and, additionally, through a partnership with News Corp (FOX News/Myspace) which is intended to take up competition with YouTube (Google). YouTube provides content for the iPhone and AppleTV encoded in H.264. (Adobe just announced that Flash will support H.264 - not hard to see why)

Now that certainly raises the suspicion about the real reason why the events of the last couple of weeks happened. Why would Universal and Paramount turn away from profits generated through either Blu-ray or iTunes?

This is the real war:
WMV9/VC-1: Microsoft, Toshiba, Universal, Paramount, News Corp
AVC/H.264: Sony, Apple, Google, Disney, Fox etc.

I wonder how long it will take for Paramount to announce that they won't renew the contract with iTunes?

Section Urbaine · 08-31-2007, 06:21 PM

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...teid=nbk&symb=

supersix4 · 08-31-2007, 06:22 PM

I like all the transfers everything I've bought so far looks good if not WAY better than dvds / vhs

I'd just like to see toshiba wave the white flag

Shadowself · 08-31-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section Urbaine

It is certainly interesting that (NBC) Universal is abandoning iTunes because of pricing and the apparent insufficient piracy protection (since when is the latter an issue - has it been compromised?)
Universal Music Group also dropped the contract and are doing their own experiment with non-DRM downloads.

(NBC) Universal will, however, make their shows (NBC, SciFi etc.) available through Xbox Live in HD and, additionally, through a partnership with News Corp (FOX News/Myspace) which is intended to take up competition with YouTube (Google). YouTube provides content for the iPhone and AppleTV encoded in H.264. (Adobe just announced that Flash will support H.264 - not hard to see why)

Now that certainly raises the suspicion about the real reason why the events of the last couple of weeks happened. Why would Universal and Paramount turn away from profits generated through either Blu-ray or iTunes?

This is the real war:
WMV9/VC-1: Microsoft, Toshiba, Universal, Paramount, News Corp
AVC/H.264: Sony, Apple, Google, Disney, Fox etc.

I wonder how long it will take for Paramount to announce that they won't renew the contract with iTunes?

A reasonably good analysis except for one thing... the Universal contract concerning imagery with Apple does not expire until several months from now. These statements (public and private) are negotiation tactics at this point. The contract over audio is being run under the guise of "we'll keep doing this until we don't want to any more" (of course there are minimum notice provisions in place).

The "real war" as mentioned has been brewing for a few years now. Players have been switching sides, but the leaders of each side were rather clearly delineated almost 10 years ago.

Section Urbaine · 08-31-2007, 06:37 PM

Apple's agreement with NBC ends in December. Since NBC would withdraw their shows in the middle of the television season, Apple has decided to not offer NBC TV shows for the upcoming television season beginning in September.

With the above step from Apple, it would seem it's a done deal and the negotiations are over. Of course, it does not impact the episodes currently available - but the point of iTunes is instant gratification and not having to wait for the DVD box set.

glenn22 · 08-31-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamer2600

They are extremely near sited. I work for them I should know. Its all about money that they are very cheap, so if someone is going to give them a boat load to be exclusive then they will. They are stupid for not going blu and they are stupid about the iTunes deal as well

Out of curiosity, in what capacity do you work for Universal? In their Hi-def home video dept?

radagast · 08-31-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartier

Everyone knows that Universal is HD-DVD exclusive and generally believe that they are extremely crazy for there hardline stance. However, is everyone at NBC/Universal stupid? I ask because I was reading an article about NBC leaving iTunes it is an interesting piece and definitely calls into question the decision making process at NBC/Universal.

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-976...g=2547-1_3-0-5

Although Universal, as a movie studio, is hd-dvd, Universal Music Group is listed as a supporter of Blu-ray. Look here:

http://www.blu-raydisc.com/

Of course they haven't taken Paramount off the list yet.

WickyWoo · 08-31-2007, 07:06 PM

Bottom line is that Apple is refusing to be flexible, and MS is payolaing them to be on Live

What they should be negotiating is a higher single episode price, and much cheaper "subscriptions" to shows.

gazzared_typer · 08-31-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radagast

Although Universal, as a movie studio, is hd-dvd, Universal Music Group is listed as a supporter of Blu-ray. Look here:

http://www.blu-raydisc.com/

Of course they haven't taken Paramount off the list yet.

They just announced at the IFA to going HD-DVD exclusive (or neutral, it wasn't clear).

Gazza

owa · 08-31-2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section Urbaine

This is the real war:
WMV9/VC-1: Microsoft, Toshiba, Universal, Paramount, News Corp
AVC/H.264: Sony, Apple, Google, Disney, Fox etc.

I believe News Corp *is* Fox. I think it's the parent company for Fox.

http://www.newscorp.com/operations/index.html

08-31-2007, 03:41 PM	#1
cartier Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Pacific NW	How short sighted is Universal/NBC? Everyone knows that Universal is HD-DVD exclusive and generally believe that they are extremely crazy for there hardline stance. However, is everyone at NBC/Universal stupid? I ask because I was reading an article about NBC leaving iTunes it is an interesting piece and definitely calls into question the decision making process at NBC/Universal. http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-976...g=2547-1_3-0-5

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08-31-2007, 03:43 PM	#2
stockstar1138 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	they've got to be being paid big bucks from somebody for these illogical decsions or we are going to see massive firings over the next few years.

08-31-2007, 04:09 PM	#4
B-rad Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	Yeah, I read something about that yesterday. NBC and someone else are creating their own TV download type site.

08-31-2007, 04:15 PM	#5
gamer2600 Active Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:101 Trading Score:7	They are extremely near sited. I work for them I should know. Its all about money that they are very cheap, so if someone is going to give them a boat load to be exclusive then they will. They are stupid for not going blu and they are stupid about the iTunes deal as well

08-31-2007, 04:32 PM	#6
Uxi Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Southern California 4K collection:14 Blu-ray collection:191 Blu-ray reviews:9	I think they're making a strategic decision and they're selling all sorts of drech to HDDUD fanboys who have nothing else to buy. I see similar for Paramount. With Blu-ray, they were just another studio while they're now the savior of HDDVD (which would have been absolutely murdered in Q4 sales if Paramount hadn't been bought off).

08-31-2007, 04:52 PM	#7
bryaaaant Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	Isn't The Office (NBC) coming to Xbox Live..? Interesting..

08-31-2007, 05:11 PM	#8
Maxell Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007	I wonder how badly Heroes Blu-ray would've beaten the HD-DVD if it had been released on blu.

08-31-2007, 05:12 PM	#9
supersix4 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray collection:572 Blu-ray reviews: 53 Trading Score:3	meh I just hope they come around seems like where doing fine without paramount and them .... were gonna have a big couple months coming up

08-31-2007, 06:01 PM	#11
Section Urbaine Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:San Francisco	It is certainly interesting that (NBC) Universal is abandoning iTunes because of pricing and the apparent insufficient piracy protection (since when is the latter an issue - has it been compromised?) Universal Music Group also dropped the contract and are doing their own experiment with non-DRM downloads. (NBC) Universal will, however, make their shows (NBC, SciFi etc.) available through Xbox Live in HD and, additionally, through a partnership with News Corp (FOX News/Myspace) which is intended to take up competition with YouTube (Google). YouTube provides content for the iPhone and AppleTV encoded in H.264. (Adobe just announced that Flash will support H.264 - not hard to see why) Now that certainly raises the suspicion about the real reason why the events of the last couple of weeks happened. Why would Universal and Paramount turn away from profits generated through either Blu-ray or iTunes? This is the real war: WMV9/VC-1: Microsoft, Toshiba, Universal, Paramount, News Corp AVC/H.264: Sony, Apple, Google, Disney, Fox etc. I wonder how long it will take for Paramount to announce that they won't renew the contract with iTunes?

08-31-2007, 06:21 PM	#12
Section Urbaine Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:San Francisco	http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...teid=nbk&symb=

08-31-2007, 06:22 PM	#13
supersix4 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray collection:572 Blu-ray reviews: 53 Trading Score:3	I like all the transfers everything I've bought so far looks good if not WAY better than dvds / vhs I'd just like to see toshiba wave the white flag

08-31-2007, 06:37 PM	#15
Section Urbaine Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:San Francisco	Apple's agreement with NBC ends in December. Since NBC would withdraw their shows in the middle of the television season, Apple has decided to not offer NBC TV shows for the upcoming television season beginning in September. With the above step from Apple, it would seem it's a done deal and the negotiations are over. Of course, it does not impact the episodes currently available - but the point of iTunes is instant gratification and not having to wait for the DVD box set.

08-31-2007, 07:06 PM	#18
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	Bottom line is that Apple is refusing to be flexible, and MS is payolaing them to be on Live What they should be negotiating is a higher single episode price, and much cheaper "subscriptions" to shows.

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