Paramount Pictures announces there exclusive hd-dvd

[whackawookie]

Brush it off as its not a big deal but paramount has one hell of a library so this could definately boost some hd-dvd sales especially when there animation movies start hitting. They have already nixed the blades of glory bluray release moved it to hd-dvd and have announced transformers

Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. and DreamWorks Animation SKG, 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

http://www.movieweb.com/dvd/news/88/22088.php

[daps83777]

was going to post this but you beat me to it. here is the press release from viacom

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 -- 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.

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

[sigma8]

This is a megaton of movies, and proof of how my stance of "the battle could swing the other way any moment" is true.

I still think blu-ray is the better format, and blu-ray may still have a nominal edge in terms of big studios and titles. That said, it's a LOT MORE EVEN now, and instead of dying down, the war has heated up!

Seriously though, not having Universal OR Paramount. That's huge. How many movies DON'T start with one of those logos?

Blu-ray has Fox, Disney, Sony, and MGM.. But MGM isn't what it was in the 50's, Disney simply doesn't have the massive libraries of Paramount and Universal. Sony (including Columbia Tri-star) and Fox are the the only big ones in the blu-ray camp now.

And honestly, if I could pick based on the movies I want to watch, I'd probably say: give me Paramount and Universal. As far as I'm concerned, librarywise, HD-DVD is looking a lot better now. If I wasn't opposed to supporting instantly obsolete technologies, I'd buy a HD-DVD player now.

Blu-ray needs a serious shot in the arm. Like Star Wars or something. Release Star Wars and the Indiana Jones series, and suddenly blu-ray will look a lot healthier. Fox is no slouch. If Fox jumps, blu-ray will be where hd-dvd was last month when the Pirates movies trounced the Matrix in high-def sales.

All this said: It seems clear to me that Paramount's move is purely political. They say in their press release their decision is based on market realities...which apparently don't include the reality that people buy more blu-ray movies. This is a power play by somebody. Expect a lot of money to have just changed hands.

[sigma8]

Found this:
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/desperation-move-cash-grab-or-intensified-blu-rayhd-dvd-format-war/

Mentions some cash rumors and other dirt.

[Section8]

Blu-ray needs a serious shot in the arm. Like Star Wars or something. Release Star Wars and the Indiana Jones series, and suddenly blu-ray will look a lot healthier.

If I remember rightly Indiana Jones is Paramount because the Paramount logo fades to the mountain that Indy is looking at in the background.

Star Wars will obviously be a big seller. We just have to wait 6 years for George Lucas to find another 12 seconds of footage to add. :D

Anyone know which camp NewLine Studios sit in? I'm sure Lord of the Rings trilogy will shift some players as well.

[daps83777]

All this said: It seems clear to me that Paramount's move is purely political. They say in their press release their decision is based on market realities...which apparently don't include the reality that people buy more blu-ray movies. This is a power play by somebody. Expect a lot of money to have just changed hands.

well i think that blu-ray movies are outselling hd-dvd ones, however each format is selling so few that selling alot better than hd-dvd isn't really a big deal right now. also hd-dvd players are getting cheaper and cheaper. eventually if the market decides they want an hd format movie player they will go with the cheapest one, or thats usually what happens. they never usually pick the superior format or the one with the most capacity. they pick the most affordable and hd-dvd is getting there much more quickly.

with this news and a couple big movies from paramount hd-dvd could catch up with blu-ray in a very short time.


edit: indiana jones will now be exclusive to hd-dvd this also brings hd-dvd exclusives to star trek and the godfather. to name a few.

[sigma8]

edit: indiana jones will now be exclusive to hd-dvd this also brings hd-dvd exclusives to star trek and the godfather. to name a few.
Yeah, my mistake on Indiana Jones. Star Trek is big. Sony has the Spidermans, the Pirates (the most recent "great trilogy"), and New Line is owned by Time Warner, which I don't think has put itself into either camp yet, although Peter Jackson has been working with MS at least loosely (Halo movie discussions). It's not like he's an exec at New Line...so that might not mean a thing.

I believe Titanic is on Paramount, which may push units.

[daps83777]

Yeah, my mistake on Indiana Jones. Star Trek is big. Sony has the Spidermans, the Pirates (the most recent "great trilogy"), and New Line is owned by Time Warner, which I don't think has put itself into either camp yet, although Peter Jackson has been working with MS at least loosely (Halo movie discussions). It's not like he's an exec at New Line...so that might not mean a thing.

I believe Titanic is on Paramount, which may push units.

new line i'm not sure how they work with the affiliation but i read a couple different places that the lord of the rings trilogy was coming out exclusive to hd-dvd. so either its just for the trilogy or they are affiliated or owned by someone that is affiliated with the hd-dvd camp.

[sigma8]

Interestingly, the article i posted (finally read it) says this is a desperation move by HD-DVD. That's some desperation. If they did this 8 months ago, they'd have been a lot better off, wtf were they waiting for?

Ugh. I just hate this. I mean, I like my PS3 as it is. Obviously, it's still a nice blu-ray player, and even in the worst case, there will be blu-rays released for a good year at least. I really don't want to have to buy another component. More clutter. The same reason I don't like the HD-DVD dongle concept: clutter.

[sigma8]

new line i'm not sure how they work with the affiliation but i read a couple different places that the lord of the rings trilogy was coming out exclusive to hd-dvd. so either its just for the trilogy or they are affiliated or owned by someone that is affiliated with the hd-dvd camp.

I heard that rumor a long time ago. I think it may have been idle speculation. Or at least, it's old enough to be woefully out of date. A lot could have changed.

[whackawookie]

I heard that rumor a long time ago. I think it may have been idle speculation. Or at least, it's old enough to be woefully out of date. A lot could have changed.

new line is home to the freddy series and freddy vs jason flick plus i think they have the last few friday the 13th movies after 8. would love to get some classic horror's in hd

[whackawookie]

Interestingly, the article i posted (finally read it) says this is a desperation move by HD-DVD. That's some desperation. If they did this 8 months ago, they'd have been a lot better off, wtf were they waiting for?

Ugh. I just hate this. I mean, I like my PS3 as it is. Obviously, it's still a nice blu-ray player, and even in the worst case, there will be blu-rays released for a good year at least. I really don't want to have to buy another component. More clutter. The same reason I don't like the HD-DVD dongle concept: clutter.

theres always a way to make something work. Took this pic a few months ago, ofcourse I change things so stuff is already rearranged plus i've already picked out the new entertainment center im getting which houses 42" projections but you get the idea of how you can make something work when theres not much to work with :D

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p167/whackawookie/DSC01555.jpg

[amadeus]

I was wondering how this hadnt turned into the usual flame war that goes with such stories. Then I noticed it hadnt made the Front page.

Whilst I would rather all studios supported both formats taking advantage of each ones abilitys I cant see that happening. So i'am glad that this is a pro HD-DVD news story for once.:)
I like my 360 add on. It's a bargin for a ton.

[ASSPOP]

nuff said..

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6200/lmaopwntwk6.jpg

[amadeus]

A bit of a turnaround from this (http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthread.php?t=71263) story

[kcvfr400]

Well it looks like a sad loss for business for paramount and dreamworks as was planning on buying transformers on blu-ray so just won't buy it now until baragain price on dvd. Paramount have some great titles there is no arguement there but only indiana jones that I can think of that I would have bought on hd format definately, just not willing to buy a messy add on for my 360 so will have to wait many years for standalones to be as cheap as dvd players really.

And to me the biggest films of this year are blu-ray exclusive really apart from transformers as die hard 4, pirates 3, spiderman 3, simpsons movie are the big ones in my eyes.

Though I only think the real action films so far justify buying any hd version over normal dvd so far.

When looking at the current sales figures and market share it is a odd decision to back hd dvd only by both companies as far as I can see.

[ASSPOP]

Well it looks like a sad loss for business for paramount and dreamworks as was planning on buying transformers on blu-ray so just won't buy it now until baragain price on dvd. Paramount have some great titles there is no arguement there but only indiana jones that I can think of that I would have bought on hd format definately, just not willing to buy a messy add on for my 360 so will have to wait many years for standalones to be as cheap as dvd players really.

And to me the biggest films of this year are blu-ray exclusive really apart from transformers as die hard 4, pirates 3, spiderman 3, simpsons movie are the big ones in my eyes.

Though I only think the real action films so far justify buying any hd version over normal dvd so far.

When looking at the current sales figures and market share it is a odd decision to back hd dvd only by both companies as far as I can see.


lol

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1690/lmaopwnt2mn7.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6200/lmaopwntwk6.jpg

[kcvfr400]

lol

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1690/lmaopwnt2mn7.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6200/lmaopwntwk6.jpg

Sorry to old for shrek as I am past puberty by a long way and my kids think its rubbish when I bought them shrek 1 before. But transformers you have me on though will have to just enjoy the superior cartoons and buy transformers the movie (cartoon one) that is a sony bmg release on blu-ray lol

[ASSPOP]

Sorry to old for shrek as I am past puberty by a long way and my kids think its rubbish when I bought them shrek 1 before. But transformers you have me on though will have to just enjoy the superior cartoons and buy transformers the movie (cartoon one) that is a sony bmg release on blu-ray lol


lol hahaha... you so funny hahah... WOOHOOO Paramount went exclusive hahahah.. :D

[kcvfr400]

lol hahaha... you so funny hahah... WOOHOOO Paramount went exclusive hahahah.. :D

Grows some hair down below, what have paramount done in recent years thats so good because most of there best titles are in there back catalogue and probably own what I want on dvd already with no interest in re buying.

[grapeape]

Sorry to old for shrek as I am past puberty by a long way and my kids think its rubbish when I bought them shrek 1 before. But transformers you have me on though will have to just enjoy the superior cartoons and buy transformers the movie (cartoon one) that is a sony bmg release on blu-ray lol

Im sorry but that cracked me up...your too old for Shrek but them go on to talk about your superior cartoons? ROTFL

[kcvfr400]

Im sorry but that cracked me up...your too old for Shrek but them go on to talk about your superior cartoons? ROTFL

Thats because I was a child when transformers was on tv so its nostalgic for me, though do get the irony lol.

[grapeape]

Waitaminute....

This brings up an interesting question...what happens with the Blockbuster deal...Viacom owns Blockbuster, Viacom's two major studios are Paramount and Dreamworks....(head explodes)