Why Sony should go after DreamWorks... - Blu-ray Forum

stockstar1138 · 02-05-2008, 03:14 PM

We've all heard the rumors that Dreamworks may be departing ways from Viacom and Paramount Pictures. Initial rumors point towards Steven Spielberg going back to work with Universal. However, while both are red studios at the current moment, I cringe to even think about Dreamworks going to Universal. This is because Microsoft has close ties with Universal/NBC. I think Microsoft has realized Sony's HUGE advantage in pushing new media by having control over some studios and wants in the business.

I believed in the past that Microsoft was going to make a offer to Paramount/Dreamworks. I mean, they most likely contributed to a very handsome payoff to the company, to drop blu-ray support and then really buddied up the the movie studio(s) with a download deal wort over 3x as much as the payoff. However, I don't think they are going to make an offer anymore. Viacom, Paramount Picture's owner, may have already been asked if they were willing to sell Paramount/Dreamworks and MS was turned down, after all its very possible that MS made Paramount look like the ass of the industry over HD DVD and Viacom wants nothing more than what they are contractually obligated to do with them. Also, Microsoft made the mega offer to Yahoo, I highly doubt MS will be making two mega acquisitions so close together. It is very possible that their first target was to go after Paramount and derail blu-ray and Sony's PS3 from inevitable victory over the 360, but they failed so they went after Yahoo in order to go after another rival company, Google.

Anyways, Microsoft still wants to get into the living room and if they have been already turned down by Paramount, which is very possible, they could really help Universal secure the deal to pick up Dreamworks. With the help they give Universal in picking up Dreamworks, MS could get even closer to Universal. I know this is disputable but if MS would have a significant hand in the dealings of what could become Universal/Dreamworks, they have a better portion of the movie market than Sony does. Now, movie studios used to be a big advantage for Sony, and now it has turned into an advantage for Microsoft. Sony cannot let this happen. Now while I am not a Sony fanboy and I could care less if their future media formats fail, MS cannot get anytype of grip on movie studios. I promise you guys, whatever "format" MS puts their movies out in, will be half assed and total crap. I don't think if Universal does acquire Dreamworks and gets closer to MS it will affect the timeline of Universal moving to blu-ray, their is too much pressure from GE, which will always be greater than MS influence.

Sony has a pile load of cash due to some recent sales they made. Even if the rumors are completely true they made over 600+ million dollars in payoffs (they aren't, but I'm just playing worst case scenario), they still have a pile of cash. I'm pretty sure they are investing a lot of money into the PS3, and I think they should pull back the reigns considerably on this and really make a move towards picking up another studio. Sony does not need to put nearly as much money into the PS3 as they have in the past, the PS3 has games now, a price point that is 33% lower than the launch price, the biggest decrease of any console on the market, a hell of a games lineup for 2008 and the next-gen format included in every console sold. PS3 will sell PS3. Sony doesn't need to invest too much more money and be taking losses (please note: i'm not advocating for Sony not to put anymore money into PS3), god knows they have already invested so much. I mean, game console hardware is usually sold at a loss initially anyways and software makes up for it. Mark my words, in terms of discs sold/PS3, PS3 blows every other console out of the water (this stat is including blu-ray movies + blu-ray games, as some use ps3 only as a blu-ray movies player). Sony is doing very well with software sales and thats what is making them $. IMO PS3 is a short term investment, in 7 years, people won't even care if Sony spent a ton of money to ensure that it sold as well as PS2 and PS1, as the PS3 will be on a decline, due to new consoles hitting the market. However, people will still be talking about how Sony has this magnificant hold on major Hollywood studios. Dreamworks is a long run investment. Sony has a very good, very UNDERVALUED, animations dept. Dreamworks animation would fit beautifully with Sony. While I stated I could care less if Sony's future formats fail, Sony has always = quality in my book and I would expect that future formats will be quality and I would most likely go the Sony route and it would be major if Sony was in control of Columbia/Tri-Star, Dreamworks, and 20% of MGM. This is a long term investment that could make Sony a lot of money and prevent rival MS from taking control of the living room with the future crap that they try to force on consumers.

clownface · 02-05-2008, 03:19 PM

Not only does Dreamworks have a nice catalogue of films, Sony is already in the movie business so it's not new to them. If Sony doesn't do it Micro$oft might.

CptGreedle · 02-05-2008, 03:24 PM

The way I see it, whoever ends up with Dreamworks would have to support Blu, since I don't think they will want to go with someone that doesn't. Steven Spielburg is involved with Dreamworks, but I am not sure what the relationship is anymore. But we all know he likes Blu.

Joon · 02-05-2008, 03:29 PM

Don't forget Spielberg has always preferred blu. When he moved Dreamworks out of Paramount's buildings there was a lot of speculation that he would go to Universal where he started. This would be tremendous news for blu-ray if Speilberg went back to Universal. It would be a small amount of time after that Universal would turn blu.

stockstar1138 · 02-05-2008, 03:35 PM

to both of the above posts. This post really does not have too much to do with blu-ray and Universal adopting it. I mean its already pretty much sealed in my opinion that Universal is going to be forced to support blu-ray no matter what. Don't expect the Dreamworks deal to be completed before the year is up, which by then Universal should be producing blu-ray. I think the only reason they aren't now is because they are trying to clear stock and are supposedly having to re-encode all their movies because they didn't encode them properly to port to blu-ray (what a stupid move, so shortsighted). However, Spielberg's preference of blu-ray and Sony's support of blu-ray could just be a minor reason for Spielberg to take his company to Sony vs. Universal, that is, if Sony wants to make the offer.

Joon · 02-05-2008, 03:38 PM

stockstar, do not think that I am implying the reason Speilberg is going back to Universal is cause of blu-ray. No no no. He started there and wants to go back there. All I am saying is it would be great news for blu-ray if he went there. You will sure as shit see Jaws, Jurassic Park. and E.T on blu-ray after that.

stockstar1138 · 02-05-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joon

stockstar, do not think that I am implying the reason Speilberg is going back to Universal is cause of blu-ray. No no no. He started there and wants to go back there. All I am saying is it would be great news for blu-ray if he went there. You will sure as shit see Jaws, Jurassic Park. and E.T on blu-ray after that.

gotcha.

Memnoch71 · 02-05-2008, 04:36 PM

Speilberg I believe has 1/3 control over Dreamworks SKG. It started as a joint Venture between Speilberg, Katzenberg & Geffen. So I believe he would have quite a say as to the direction the Company takes.

tron3 · 02-05-2008, 07:09 PM

Even under the partnership with Paramount I don't see Dreamworks leaving blu-ray behind. It is my gut feeling the whole HD DVD deal left a bitter taste in their mouth. I sense Dreamworks wanting to go blu-ray exclusive, if they could legally do such a thing.

stockstar1138 · 02-05-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tron3

Even under the partnership with Paramount I don't see Dreamworks leaving blu-ray behind. It is my gut feeling the whole HD DVD deal left a bitter taste in their mouth. I sense Dreamworks wanting to go blu-ray exclusive, if they could legally do such a thing.

its been hinted at that dreamworks will happen b4 paramount. remember if the contract states wb has to stop hd dvd production we have to wait til june. and bill hunt said mid year looks like he might know what he is taking about

daringdogcow · 02-05-2008, 07:53 PM

The Spielberg / Par spat is old news. They've been much friendlier these days, at least while in the spotlight. I think Brad Grey knows better than to repeat Disney's gaff with Miramax / Dimension. Besides, I think Par is more likely to support Blu than Universal. Since they did it before, they're in a better position to do it again. And their 6+ months of HD DVD exclusivity isn't nearly as bad as Universal's 21+ months of snubbing us, IMO.

whoelse · 02-05-2008, 08:29 PM

I doubt Microsoft are about to buy any studios as of now if they ready to spend so much money on Yahoo! (I really hope they don't buy them)

bluskies · 02-05-2008, 08:33 PM

We need to have the BDA go after Universal, Paramount, and DreamWorks together and get them. That would drive Toshiba out of its mind. (Not to mention the HD DVD diehard fans!)

whoelse · 02-05-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluskies

We need to have the BDA go after Universal, Paramount, and DreamWorks together and get them. That would drive Toshiba out of its mind. (Not to mention the HD DVD diehard fans!)

Like the ones on high def forums

Penton-Man · 02-06-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

We've all heard the rumors that Dreamworks may be departing ways from Viacom and Paramount Pictures. Initial rumors point towards Steven Spielberg going back to work with Universal.

Brad Grey (Paramount) and Philippe Dauman (Viacom) have been repairing bridges with Steven S. for awhile after the verbal faux-pas by Dauman.

02-05-2008, 03:14 PM	#1
stockstar1138 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	Why Sony should go after DreamWorks... We've all heard the rumors that Dreamworks may be departing ways from Viacom and Paramount Pictures. Initial rumors point towards Steven Spielberg going back to work with Universal. However, while both are red studios at the current moment, I cringe to even think about Dreamworks going to Universal. This is because Microsoft has close ties with Universal/NBC. I think Microsoft has realized Sony's HUGE advantage in pushing new media by having control over some studios and wants in the business. I believed in the past that Microsoft was going to make a offer to Paramount/Dreamworks. I mean, they most likely contributed to a very handsome payoff to the company, to drop blu-ray support and then really buddied up the the movie studio(s) with a download deal wort over 3x as much as the payoff. However, I don't think they are going to make an offer anymore. Viacom, Paramount Picture's owner, may have already been asked if they were willing to sell Paramount/Dreamworks and MS was turned down, after all its very possible that MS made Paramount look like the ass of the industry over HD DVD and Viacom wants nothing more than what they are contractually obligated to do with them. Also, Microsoft made the mega offer to Yahoo, I highly doubt MS will be making two mega acquisitions so close together. It is very possible that their first target was to go after Paramount and derail blu-ray and Sony's PS3 from inevitable victory over the 360, but they failed so they went after Yahoo in order to go after another rival company, Google. Anyways, Microsoft still wants to get into the living room and if they have been already turned down by Paramount, which is very possible, they could really help Universal secure the deal to pick up Dreamworks. With the help they give Universal in picking up Dreamworks, MS could get even closer to Universal. I know this is disputable but if MS would have a significant hand in the dealings of what could become Universal/Dreamworks, they have a better portion of the movie market than Sony does. Now, movie studios used to be a big advantage for Sony, and now it has turned into an advantage for Microsoft. Sony cannot let this happen. Now while I am not a Sony fanboy and I could care less if their future media formats fail, MS cannot get anytype of grip on movie studios. I promise you guys, whatever "format" MS puts their movies out in, will be half assed and total crap. I don't think if Universal does acquire Dreamworks and gets closer to MS it will affect the timeline of Universal moving to blu-ray, their is too much pressure from GE, which will always be greater than MS influence. Sony has a pile load of cash due to some recent sales they made. Even if the rumors are completely true they made over 600+ million dollars in payoffs (they aren't, but I'm just playing worst case scenario), they still have a pile of cash. I'm pretty sure they are investing a lot of money into the PS3, and I think they should pull back the reigns considerably on this and really make a move towards picking up another studio. Sony does not need to put nearly as much money into the PS3 as they have in the past, the PS3 has games now, a price point that is 33% lower than the launch price, the biggest decrease of any console on the market, a hell of a games lineup for 2008 and the next-gen format included in every console sold. PS3 will sell PS3. Sony doesn't need to invest too much more money and be taking losses (please note: i'm not advocating for Sony not to put anymore money into PS3), god knows they have already invested so much. I mean, game console hardware is usually sold at a loss initially anyways and software makes up for it. Mark my words, in terms of discs sold/PS3, PS3 blows every other console out of the water (this stat is including blu-ray movies + blu-ray games, as some use ps3 only as a blu-ray movies player). Sony is doing very well with software sales and thats what is making them $. IMO PS3 is a short term investment, in 7 years, people won't even care if Sony spent a ton of money to ensure that it sold as well as PS2 and PS1, as the PS3 will be on a decline, due to new consoles hitting the market. However, people will still be talking about how Sony has this magnificant hold on major Hollywood studios. Dreamworks is a long run investment. Sony has a very good, very UNDERVALUED, animations dept. Dreamworks animation would fit beautifully with Sony. While I stated I could care less if Sony's future formats fail, Sony has always = quality in my book and I would expect that future formats will be quality and I would most likely go the Sony route and it would be major if Sony was in control of Columbia/Tri-Star, Dreamworks, and 20% of MGM. This is a long term investment that could make Sony a lot of money and prevent rival MS from taking control of the living room with the future crap that they try to force on consumers.

02-05-2008, 03:19 PM	#2
clownface Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Brooklyn New York	I agree Not only does Dreamworks have a nice catalogue of films, Sony is already in the movie business so it's not new to them. If Sony doesn't do it Micro$oft might.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Pixar Vs Dreamworks	Movies	GreenScar	73	04-06-2009 02:01 AM
dreamworks	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	supergirl260	14	02-28-2008 08:30 PM
Dreamworks & WB	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	DViper2399	1	11-10-2007 03:42 AM
DISNEY & SONY vs. PARAMOUNT & DREAMWORKS...	Blu-ray Movies - North America	eRICH	31	08-29-2007 04:11 PM
Dreamworks BDs	Blu-ray Movies - North America	timmyboy1121	24	06-25-2007 10:46 PM

02-05-2008, 03:24 PM	#3
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	The way I see it, whoever ends up with Dreamworks would have to support Blu, since I don't think they will want to go with someone that doesn't. Steven Spielburg is involved with Dreamworks, but I am not sure what the relationship is anymore. But we all know he likes Blu.

02-05-2008, 03:29 PM	#4
Joon Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:208 Trading Score:1	Don't forget Spielberg has always preferred blu. When he moved Dreamworks out of Paramount's buildings there was a lot of speculation that he would go to Universal where he started. This would be tremendous news for blu-ray if Speilberg went back to Universal. It would be a small amount of time after that Universal would turn blu.

02-05-2008, 03:35 PM	#5
stockstar1138 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	to both of the above posts. This post really does not have too much to do with blu-ray and Universal adopting it. I mean its already pretty much sealed in my opinion that Universal is going to be forced to support blu-ray no matter what. Don't expect the Dreamworks deal to be completed before the year is up, which by then Universal should be producing blu-ray. I think the only reason they aren't now is because they are trying to clear stock and are supposedly having to re-encode all their movies because they didn't encode them properly to port to blu-ray (what a stupid move, so shortsighted). However, Spielberg's preference of blu-ray and Sony's support of blu-ray could just be a minor reason for Spielberg to take his company to Sony vs. Universal, that is, if Sony wants to make the offer.

02-05-2008, 03:38 PM	#6
Joon Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:208 Trading Score:1	stockstar, do not think that I am implying the reason Speilberg is going back to Universal is cause of blu-ray. No no no. He started there and wants to go back there. All I am saying is it would be great news for blu-ray if he went there. You will sure as shit see Jaws, Jurassic Park. and E.T on blu-ray after that.

02-05-2008, 04:36 PM	#8
Memnoch71 Senior Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Somewhere between here and there 4K collection:34 Blu-ray collection:252	Speilberg I believe has 1/3 control over Dreamworks SKG. It started as a joint Venture between Speilberg, Katzenberg & Geffen. So I believe he would have quite a say as to the direction the Company takes.

02-05-2008, 07:09 PM	#9
tron3 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2004 Location:New Jersey Blu-ray reviews:3	Even under the partnership with Paramount I don't see Dreamworks leaving blu-ray behind. It is my gut feeling the whole HD DVD deal left a bitter taste in their mouth. I sense Dreamworks wanting to go blu-ray exclusive, if they could legally do such a thing.

02-05-2008, 07:53 PM	#11
daringdogcow Member Member since:Sep 2007	The Spielberg / Par spat is old news. They've been much friendlier these days, at least while in the spotlight. I think Brad Grey knows better than to repeat Disney's gaff with Miramax / Dimension. Besides, I think Par is more likely to support Blu than Universal. Since they did it before, they're in a better position to do it again. And their 6+ months of HD DVD exclusivity isn't nearly as bad as Universal's 21+ months of snubbing us, IMO.

02-05-2008, 08:29 PM	#12
whoelse Active Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:England	I doubt Microsoft are about to buy any studios as of now if they ready to spend so much money on Yahoo! (I really hope they don't buy them)

02-05-2008, 08:33 PM	#13
bluskies Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2007 4K collection:287 Blu-ray collection:1848 DVD collection:235 Blu-ray reviews: 73	We need to have the BDA go after Universal, Paramount, and DreamWorks together and get them. That would drive Toshiba out of its mind. (Not to mention the HD DVD diehard fans!)

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals