Universal and Paramount's contract end date? - Blu-ray Forum

danosullivan · 12-27-2007, 04:30 AM

I've been trying to look all over the net for the "official" contract expiration dates for Universal and Paramount's exclusive contracts with HD-DVD. I've heard 18 months and there could always be that "opt out" at any time clause, but when did it start for both? Anyone know an end date? Just wanna circle the date on my calendar.

mystiksuicide · 12-27-2007, 04:32 AM

Paramounts contract started in august 2007 no idea about Universal.

Zyclone · 12-27-2007, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danosullivan

I've been trying to look all over the net for the "official" contract expiration dates for Universal and Paramount's exclusive contracts with HD-DVD. I've heard 18 months and there could always be that "opt out" at any time clause, but when did it start for both? Anyone know an end date? Just wanna circle the date on my calendar.

the 18 month thing is a myth i suspect , universal claim they are not under contract but who knows.

tru_to_blu · 12-27-2007, 04:57 AM

I hope it ends soon.

DrinkMore · 12-27-2007, 07:04 AM

Nobody knows and everything is speculative.

househead · 12-27-2007, 03:10 PM

does it really matter that much? just enjoy what is available. PLENTY of great stuff.

darkpoet25 · 12-27-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by househead

does it really matter that much? just enjoy what is available. PLENTY of great stuff.

I can't speak for everyone on here, but Universal has a majority of Spielberg titles that I want to get on Blu. But I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon, given Korblau and Graffeo's continued undying support for the format.

ryoohki · 12-27-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkpoet25

I can't speak for everyone on here, but Universal has a majority of Spielberg titles that I want to get on Blu. But I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon, given Korblau and Graffeo's continued undying support for the format.

Speilberg stuff won't see the day for a longgggggggggggggggg time. He actually released Third Kind on BluRay.. but that was a big exception...

MasterXeus · 12-27-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by househead

does it really matter that much? just enjoy what is available. PLENTY of great stuff.

Plenty of great stuff on Blu-ray, but Universal and Paramount have movie that people want. I really hate waiting for this format war to end, just to pick up some movies I want.

SpaceDog · 12-27-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Speilberg stuff won't see the day for a longgggggggggggggggg time. He actually released Third Kind on BluRay.. but that was a big exception...

Also, I'm pretty sure he's made it clear none of his movies will be released on HD-DVD.

DepTii · 12-27-2007, 04:59 PM

What's sad is that even when Blu-ray wins the format war, a lot of the Blu-ray movies that'll come from Paramount and Universal will probably just be ports, just like with Warner. The biggest advantage of Blu-ray is the higher disc size, it's gonna suck to see those extra 20 GBs go to waste.

Spankey · 12-27-2007, 05:13 PM

Don't expect any change from either unless Warner goes Blu exclusive. These studios are dug in.

jason_grumpy · 12-27-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spankey

Don't expect any change from either unless Warner goes Blu exclusive. These studios are dug in.

Well contract wise, it has been said from anonymous Viacom folks that the contract is 18 months -- but has escape clauses and certain prohibitions. Just the fact that there were leaks of this nature hours after the ink dried from the executive levels to a major publication, says to me that some in that cooperation were NOT happy with the way it went down. I don't think they are 'dug in' so to speak, just bought off. Also, Paramount has not exactly been kind to HD-DVD publicly as saying very blatantly that there was no lossless audio on a certain high profile release due to space limitations. They yanked the Jack Ryan collection -- again due to space limitations because the box claimed they had certain extra's that wasn't there because it couldn't fit.

All does not seem happy in Paramountland.

Universal claims they no longer have an HD-DVD contract. These are the ones that I would be most concerned about for hold outs. They are voluntarily supporting HD-DVD and are one of the most outspoken supporters of it. They do not say anything negative about it, and are one of the main figureheads spearheading the HD-DVD cause.

If Warner drops HD-DVD, it's going to be very interesting on how fast these two companies come running to the BDA to barter a better deal before the other. The question will be who will be left holding the bag that is HD-DVD. It's going to be even more interesting on how many execs that pushed for HD-DVD will pull the golden parachute before this is all over.

Spankey · 12-27-2007, 05:31 PM

Well I did catch the Shrek/Dreamworks HD-DVD commercial yesterday. The most significant commercial I have seen from an HD-DVD studio yet. HD-DVD is the best picture, blah blah blah..

Esox50 · 12-27-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason_grumpy

It's also hinted at at least on this site that the AVC encodes on HD-DVD are simply lowered bit rate encodes from Blu encodes ready to go.

That turned out to be not true, as debunked by insider Maxpower1987...

jason_grumpy · 12-27-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esox50

That turned out to be not true, as debunked by insider Maxpower1987...

I didn't read that one. Bummer. Then I stand corrected and will also cautiously look at movie quality from Paramount when they get back on board.

2blu2 · 12-27-2007, 05:54 PM

It is all about Warner.

I think neither studio will move unless Warner moves.

It allows them to "save face". If warner moves and sales become more lopsided (80:20 consistantly) they can say "we tried HD DVD but consumers have spoken and we are now supporting Blu".

IHMO Warner is the key player in this war. If they go Blu, HD DVD will die. It will not be overnight but you will see all reds go neutral, stores stop stocking HD DVD, no new players announced. It will not be a bang rather a whimper like laser disc did.

It just seems strange to me that Warner hasn't announced anything yet and are speaking at HD DVD event during CES. If Warner doesn't go Blu I see this war lasting a long time (Christmas 08).

hdalien · 12-27-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2blu2

It is all about Warner.

I think neither studio will move unless Warner moves.

It allows them to "save face". If warner moves and sales become more lopsided (80:20 consistantly) they can say "we tried HD DVD but consumers have spoken and we are now supporting Blu".

IHMO Warner is the key player in this war. If they go Blu, HD DVD will die. It will not be overnight but you will see all reds go neutral, stores stop stocking HD DVD, no new players announced. It will not be a bang rather a whimper like laser disc did.

It just seems strange to me that Warner hasn't announced anything yet and are speaking at HD DVD event during CES. If Warner doesn't go Blu I see this war lasting a long time (Christmas 08).

I agree with everything you said........ If warner goes HD DVD the war will go on, and the HD format will loose, or HD DVD could win, god I hope not I just sold my HD DVD player and movies. GO BLU.......

TheDude · 12-27-2007, 10:06 PM

If Warner moves to Bluray exclusive, HDDVD is effectively finished. This would mean Bluray will have 70/30 support through the studios. If Warner went HDDVD exclusive it would then be 50/50 split and the war would go on. Which ever way Warner goes would greatly effect the war but it would not mean the end of Bluray.

Clark Kent · 12-28-2007, 03:39 AM

Paramount has been acting exactly like a studio who doesn't believe in a format and is only fulfilling its contractual obligations to it. They certainly haven't been pumping out titles left and right like Universal did earlier this year. 14 months to go...

12-27-2007, 04:30 AM	#1
danosullivan Member Member since:Nov 2007	Universal and Paramount's contract end date? I've been trying to look all over the net for the "official" contract expiration dates for Universal and Paramount's exclusive contracts with HD-DVD. I've heard 18 months and there could always be that "opt out" at any time clause, but when did it start for both? Anyone know an end date? Just wanna circle the date on my calendar.

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12-27-2007, 04:32 AM	#2
mystiksuicide Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Miami Blu-ray collection:305 Blu-ray reviews:27	Paramounts contract started in august 2007 no idea about Universal.

12-27-2007, 04:57 AM	#4
tru_to_blu Power Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Kentucky 4K collection:280 Blu-ray collection:1167 Trading Score:62	I hope it ends soon.

12-27-2007, 07:04 AM	#5
DrinkMore Banned Member since:Apr 2007 Location:That's What She Said! Blu-ray collection:140 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:3	Nobody knows and everything is speculative.

12-27-2007, 03:10 PM	#6
househead Banned Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Sep 2007 Home Theater Gallery:9 Trading Score:4	does it really matter that much? just enjoy what is available. PLENTY of great stuff.

12-27-2007, 04:59 PM	#11
DepTii Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray collection:154 Blu-ray reviews:26 Trading Score:3	What's sad is that even when Blu-ray wins the format war, a lot of the Blu-ray movies that'll come from Paramount and Universal will probably just be ports, just like with Warner. The biggest advantage of Blu-ray is the higher disc size, it's gonna suck to see those extra 20 GBs go to waste.

12-27-2007, 05:13 PM	#12
Spankey Power Member Member since:Oct 2006	Don't expect any change from either unless Warner goes Blu exclusive. These studios are dug in.

12-27-2007, 05:31 PM	#14
Spankey Power Member Member since:Oct 2006	Well I did catch the Shrek/Dreamworks HD-DVD commercial yesterday. The most significant commercial I have seen from an HD-DVD studio yet. HD-DVD is the best picture, blah blah blah..

12-27-2007, 05:54 PM	#17
2blu2 Junior Member Member since:Nov 2007	It is all about Warner. I think neither studio will move unless Warner moves. It allows them to "save face". If warner moves and sales become more lopsided (80:20 consistantly) they can say "we tried HD DVD but consumers have spoken and we are now supporting Blu". IHMO Warner is the key player in this war. If they go Blu, HD DVD will die. It will not be overnight but you will see all reds go neutral, stores stop stocking HD DVD, no new players announced. It will not be a bang rather a whimper like laser disc did. It just seems strange to me that Warner hasn't announced anything yet and are speaking at HD DVD event during CES. If Warner doesn't go Blu I see this war lasting a long time (Christmas 08).

12-27-2007, 10:06 PM	#19
TheDude Junior Member Member since:Dec 2007	If Warner moves to Bluray exclusive, HDDVD is effectively finished. This would mean Bluray will have 70/30 support through the studios. If Warner went HDDVD exclusive it would then be 50/50 split and the war would go on. Which ever way Warner goes would greatly effect the war but it would not mean the end of Bluray.

12-28-2007, 03:39 AM	#20
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	Paramount has been acting exactly like a studio who doesn't believe in a format and is only fulfilling its contractual obligations to it. They certainly haven't been pumping out titles left and right like Universal did earlier this year. 14 months to go...

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