Ive seen on a number of forums, including here, that the current deal with Paramount doing only HD DVD is good only for the next 18 months.

No news source, or official press release I have seen from Viacom or Paramount says anything about any time frame. So what is the deal here?:confused:

Tuesday's story in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/technology/21disney.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

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.

That's the source of the 18-month time frame. It's the Times, so they get the benefit from the doubt from me based on their reputation. :)

Google it. Plenty of news articles (not blogs) link to New York Times reporting this timeframe.

So then the question is, where did the NYTimes get their info? Not that I dont trust them entirely, but they havent been up and up on their journalistic integrity as of late.

Amir mentioned a multi year contract in the insiders thread.



We have certainly put no obligation on them to publish in HD DVD. Having said that, there is no precedence for a studio publishing in both, then picking one format, and they going to dual format again (or switching sides). As such, any change like this would have to come far enough down the road as to have folks not remember the last time they switched .

I also just read a quote from them saying this is a multi-year decision but can’t find it quickly…
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Amir

If so, Paramount/DW could release MANY titles during that period. Universal has released over 100 titles during that period. Plus, it could be extended if Par/DW feels it has been worth it. The 18 mos. is probably an agreed opon time period.

There was nothing in Paramount's statement that indicated their move was a permanent one, but nothing to indicate it was for a limited time only either. My guess is the agreement was to show solid support for HD DVD for a certain time span, which means not mentioning any limitations to that.

Heh, the reputation of the NY Times isn't what it use to be. Personally, I wouldn't wipe my backside with their paper. What with their reporters getting outed for plagiarisms and out and out copying of other people's works and their blatant reporting of non-truths, that paper is just a shell of what it use to be. Their circulation tells the whole tale.

An interview stating a few years exclusivity at least:

"I then asked when the INDIANA JONES set would hit and if it would be exclusive to HD. Rob responded that on the films that Spielberg, however, is a huge supporter of Blu-Ray and always has been and wants the titles to be available in both formats - so those will be cross-platform titles. However, the rest of Dreamworks, Viacom/Paramount's world... those will be HD DVD exclusive for the next few years at least. Can you imagine BLOCKBUSTER not letting people rent TRANSFORMERS, SHREK THE THIRD, etc? Me Either. This format war is a fascinating chess game, isn't it?"

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33722

Well, that clears things up a bit. Thanks

Heh, the reputation of the NY Times isn't what it use to be. Personally, I wouldn't wipe my backside with their paper. What with their reporters getting outed for plagiarisms and out and out copying of other people's works and their blatant reporting of non-truths, that paper is just a shell of what it use to be. Their circulation tells the whole tale.

Agreed 100%.

While their bias is beyond obvious, it's their willingness to print blatant non-truths to support their bias that causes them to cross the line, which they have done.

Didn't everything start from here:
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/desperation-move-cash-grab-or-intensified-blu-rayhd-dvd-format-war/

Nikki says HD DVD is dying :eek: Thanks for the heads-up, Nikki! :rolleyes:

Isn't NY times part of Newscorp.

Second. The article was a joke, they quoted two "executives" who said there was a pay-off, but they didn't quote them for this mystery time table. Its like the time table was made up or that it happens to be the agreed minimum amount of time but not a promise of future BD discs at that point.

Isn't NY times part of Newscorp.



WSJ is what Newscorp just bought.

Doesn't mean that they're going to suddenly "switch back" after 18 months...

that's just the term of this contractual arrangement. i.e. promotional incentives, etc.

It's a rumor that I've heard from NYT and I think Bill Hunt. No one offical has said anything about it.

Sounds like blu-ray FUD.

Even if it is a 18 month deal and even if Paramount and Dreamworks go back to neutrality afterwards (a lot of "ifs" already) HD DVD will have two holiday seasons with Paramount and Dreamworks. All of 2008, the remainder of 2007 starting next week, and the first two months of '09. With the price of players dropping coupled with the 360 HD DVD add-on and Universals relentless support of HD DVD it is pretty clear that HD DVD is currently in the best position to retake the lead since it has fallen behind. Even w/o the Spielberg titles Paramount and Dreamworks has a huge catalog of titles at their disposal, enough to propel HD DVD into the lead. Gladiator has been one of the most talked about high definition titles for both formats. Now it is HD DVD exclusive

An interview stating a few years exclusivity at least:

"Rob responded that on the films that Spielberg, however, is a huge supporter of Blu-Ray and always has been and wants the titles to be available in both formats - so those will be cross-platform titles. However, the rest of Dreamworks, Viacom/Paramount's world... those will be HD DVD exclusive for the next few years at least. "

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33722

If that's the case then why does Close Encounters get an exclusive BD release?

Close encounters isn't a paramount movie , I believe its Sony/ Columbia pictures. So it never had a chance of coming out on hd dvd

Close encounters isn't a paramount movie , I believe its Sony/ Columbia pictures. So it never had a chance of coming out on hd dvd

Yes, but it still doesn't make sense that he won't release exclusively on HD DVD. It really does seem that Speilburg is partial to BD for whatever reason.

Even if it is a 18 month deal and even if Paramount and Dreamworks go back to neutrality afterwards (a lot of "ifs" already) HD DVD will have two holiday seasons with Paramount and Dreamworks. All of 2008, the remainder of 2007 starting next week, and the first two months of '09. With the price of players dropping coupled with the 360 HD DVD add-on and Universals relentless support of HD DVD it is pretty clear that HD DVD is currently in the best position to retake the lead since it has fallen behind. Even w/o the Spielberg titles Paramount and Dreamworks has a huge catalog of titles at their disposal, enough to propel HD DVD into the lead. Gladiator has been one of the most talked about high definition titles for both formats. Now it is HD DVD exclusive


Exactly!

BD fans keep using the 18 months thing to make themselves feel better. Thats a lot of time to shake things up. That would be 18 months with no Transformers,no Star Trek, no Gladiator etc. etc. Not to mention, it is ONLY an assumption that Paramount would go neutral at the end of the contract.

Yes, but it still doesn't make sense that he won't release exclusively on HD DVD. It really does seem that Speilburg is partial to BD for whatever reason.

My point exactly.... thanks for reinforcing it! :)

Even if it is a 18 month deal and even if Paramount and Dreamworks go back to neutrality afterwards (a lot of "ifs" already) HD DVD will have two holiday seasons with Paramount and Dreamworks. All of 2008, the remainder of 2007 starting next week, and the first two months of '09. With the price of players dropping coupled with the 360 HD DVD add-on and Universals relentless support of HD DVD it is pretty clear that HD DVD is currently in the best position to retake the lead since it has fallen behind. Even w/o the Spielberg titles Paramount and Dreamworks has a huge catalog of titles at their disposal, enough to propel HD DVD into the lead. Gladiator has been one of the most talked about high definition titles for both formats. Now it is HD DVD exclusive

If Paramount's strategy in HD is anything like their strategy in SD, expect few catalog releases in comparison to Warners. Among the big studios, Paramount are the worst at releasing their back catalog, particularly pre-1970's films. What they're good at is re-releasing the same catalog title over and over again (Ten Commandments no less than 3 times, Saturday Night Fever and Grease twice...)