Next Gen DVD Format War Continues: Paramount and DreamWorks Go HD DVD
Author: AF Duncan
August 21st, 2007
Although Blu-Ray seems to be clearly winning the next gen DVD format war, Paramount and DreamWorks recently announced they’re exclusively backing HD-DVD.
A closer look reveals some interesting details in the deal, however. Details such as:
Paramount and DreamWorks Animation together will receive about $150 million in financial incentives for their commitment to HD DVD, according to two Viacom executives with knowledge of the deal but who asked not to be identified.
The incentives will come in a combination of cash and promotional guarantees. Toshiba, for instance, will use the release of Shrek the Third as part of an HD DVD marketing campaign.
Also notable:
The two studios may have left themselves wiggle room, however. Paramount’s agreement to use only HD DVD is limited to only 18 months. And Paramount noted that no films directed by Steven Spielberg were included in the deal “as his films are not exclusive to either format.” Mr. Spielberg is a co-founder of DreamWorks SKG, a unit of Paramount.
So, with a host of major film studios, Target, and Blockbuster getting behind Blu-Ray, what does this all mean to the consumer? Continuing frustration. Good times!
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3 Responses to “Next Gen DVD Format War Continues: Paramount and DreamWorks Go HD DVD”
August 21st, 2007 at 7:25 pm
this format war sux. i somewhat barely kinda follow it. i just been saying since the beginning that sony is the/a format killer.
August 23rd, 2007 at 6:57 am
The only reason there is a format war is cause DVD sales have reached a ceiling and the studios want to inject some life into the home video market. I don’t even think the demand is really there yet for a new format…but still, the longer the war goes on, the more confused consumers will become. You can all thank Microsoft (and granted, all’s fair in love and war) for keeping the war alive by throwing boat loads of cash at Paramount and Dreamworks to go HD DVD exclusive.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:25 am
The only reason there’s a format war is corporate greed, plain and simple. Everything else is just window dressing.