In what might be a crushing blow to the HD DVD format, Warner Bros. Entertainment has decided to exclusively support Blu-ray starting May 2008. Even more interesting is the fact that Warner is scheduled to attend the HD DVD press conference at CES.
Here is the full press release:
WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE ITS HIGH-DEFINITION DVD TITLESEXCLUSIVELY IN THE BLU-RAY DISC FORMAT BEGINNING LATER THIS YEAR
Decision Made in Response to Strong Consumer Preference for Format
(January 4, 2008 - Burbank, CA) - In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros.Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in theBlu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by BarryMeyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, WarnerBros. Home Entertainment Group.
"Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is astrategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to giveconsumers what they want," said Meyer. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. Webelieve that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential formass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and mostimportantly, consumers."
Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD formatand Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-rayreleases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the endof May 2008.
"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort toprovide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardwareprices," said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time WarnerInc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "Today's decision byWarner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and isthe best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."
"A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference towardhigh definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption andbecoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry," saidTsujihara. "Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe thatrecognizing this preference is the right step in making this great homeentertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. WarnerBros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting highdefinition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We lookforward to working with them on other projects in the future.
Decision Made in Response to Strong Consumer Preference for Format
(January 4, 2008 - Burbank, CA) - In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros.Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in theBlu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by BarryMeyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, WarnerBros. Home Entertainment Group.
"Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is astrategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to giveconsumers what they want," said Meyer. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. Webelieve that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential formass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and mostimportantly, consumers."
Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD formatand Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-rayreleases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the endof May 2008.
"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort toprovide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardwareprices," said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time WarnerInc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "Today's decision byWarner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and isthe best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."
"A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference towardhigh definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption andbecoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry," saidTsujihara. "Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe thatrecognizing this preference is the right step in making this great homeentertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. WarnerBros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting highdefinition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We lookforward to working with them on other projects in the future.
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