I'm actually glad we sat on this story a bit today, because now more info has come out of the CES show in Las Vegas. First off, the London Financial Times reported that Paramount was preparing to follow Warner Bros. and drop HD-DVD to sign an exclusive deal with Blu-ray. Should such a move take place, it would leave Universal all alone in the HD-DVD camp, and most likely signal an end to this long, hard-fought format war. How could Paramount do this? Would they be breaking a contract with HD-DVD? According to sources, there's a clause in Paramount's contract that states if Warners goes Blu-ray, they would have the option to do the same. So did Paramount leave? Was there a huge announcement today?
YES! Only it was a different kind of an announcement from Paramount. Basically, they denied all rumors and issued the following statement: "We are still supporting HD DVD." Ah, but then later on in the day, Paramount said they would not be announcing the titles of future HD-DVDs during the CES conference. Hmm. They're sticking with HD-DVD, but they refuse to announce future titles? Seems a bit ... sketchy.
I know what you're about to ask, so let me beat you to the punch -- what does Michael Bay (who, you might remember, threw up a stink when Transformers came out in only HD-DVD) think of all this? Am I right? That's what you were thinking, right? Well, following the Warner Bros. announcement, Bay had this to say over on his official site: "Well another studio down. Maybe I was right? Blu ray is just better. HD will die a slow death. It's what I predicted a year ago. Now with Warner's down for the count with Blu Ray. That makes it easier for Wal-Mart to push Blu Ray. And whatever Wal-Mart pushes - wins. Hd better start giving out those $120 million dollars checks to stay alive. Maybe they can give me some so I can give it to my Make-A-Wish charity, just to shut me up. Have faith people Transformers will come out in Blu-ray one day!"
So how long before Paramount and Universal give in and switch teams?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-08-2008 @ 6:32PM
Philip said...
The non-denial denial reminds me of an episode of Jimmy Neutron that I saw once (with my kids, ok?). Jimmy's dumb friend (the one who likes Voltron or w/e his name is) is made smarter by some random device of Jimmy's. In an attempt to exploit his intellectual advantage over his teacher, he asks her "May I be excused from class today?" No, was the answer obviously. Spurned by the bird-like old lady, he rephrases: "May I not be unexcused from class?" Confused, she answers "Sure". I laughed out loud, as it took me a minute of thought to put it right in my head also. Pointless anecdote but I thought it worked well with Paramount's double-speak.
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1-08-2008 @ 6:36PM
rkho said...
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/08/paramount-current-plan-is-to-support-the-hd-dvd-format-curre/
Sorry, I was excited just as much as you guys were. I mean, seventh time's the try for Sony right? =]
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1-08-2008 @ 6:59PM
mike green said...
thei is the first timew that I'm glad that MIchale Bay was born
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