Paramount and Dreamworks have Blu-ray get-out clause

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By Stevie Smith Jan 8, 2008, 7:30 GMT

Following on from the shock news that Hollywood frontrunner Warner Bros is to shift its HD format focus exclusively to Blu-ray in May of 2008, rumours are now suggesting that certain HD-DVD backers have contractual clauses allowing them to make the switch to Blu-ray should Warner Bros elect to back Sony’s format. Rumours abound as Paramount is thought to be considering a shift from HD-DVD to Blu-ray. Credit: Viacom.

Rumours abound as Paramount is thought to be considering a shift from HD-DVD to Blu-ray. Credit: Viacom.Specifically, the Financial Times is outlining that "people familiar with the situation" have said Viacom-owned Paramount Pictures has such a HD-DVD get-out clause. If true this could lead to Paramount jumping ship in favour of a place beside the likes of Disney, 20th Century Fox and MGM on the Blu-ray format, which could hasten the potential demise of Toshiba’s HD-DVD. It is believed that the recent shift by Warner Bros, which previously straddled both HD formats, now gives Blu-ray some 70 percent of Hollywood’s content. And that advantage is only likely to improve should Paramount decide to make the switch from HD-DVD.Similarly, it is thought that Dreamworks SKG, also a supporter of HD-DVD, has a get-out clause enabling it to migrate to Blu-ray should Warner Bros sign on with Sony. A lack of comment and/or confirmation from either Paramount or Dreamworks means these supposed clauses are nothing more than speculation at this time. However, if Paramount does decide to exclusively back Blu-ray, its move would leave HD-DVD with only Dreamworks and Universal Studios as HD-DVD’s major backers. Interestingly, Universal has declined to comment on its plans in the HD market since Warner Bros announced its Blu-ray support, while both Paramount and Dreamworks revealed that they will not be unveiling any new HD movie titles at this week’s CES 2008 show in Las Vegas.Meanwhile, Sony CEO Howard Stringer has said that the company will be "open to dialogue at all times" with HD-DVD and its supporters in order to ensure that the HD market continues to grow.Update: Commenting in a Bloomberg report published earlier today, Paramount Pictures has issued a denial to rumours of its imminent Blu-ray defection, outlining that its "current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format."

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GuyJan 8th, 2008 - 18:35:11

With 70% of the market going to Blu-Ray, I think the remaining supporters of HDDVD should start thinking what's best for the them and the consumer market.

Compared to the war between VHS and BETA, the war between HDDVD and Blu-Ray has not lasted long yet and they should make sure it ends fast. People really want to get into HD but now there is hesitation because of the two formats.

Come on Paramount, DreamWorks and Universal, wake up and start riding the Blu-Ray wave.

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