Blu-ray backers offer summer promo

Promotion to offer five free titles with player purchase

By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 6/27/2007

JUNE 27 | The major studios and consumer electronics companies backing Blu-ray have partnered on a summer-long promotion giving five free Blu-ray Discs to consumers who purchase select Blu-ray players.

The Blu-ray Disc promotion kicks off July 1 and will run through Sept. 30. Consumers will be able to choose five films from a list of 21 from Blu-ray supporters Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Lionsgate, MGM Home Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video. Films in the promotion include Babel, Underworld: Evolution, Pearl Harbor, The Last Waltz and The Phantom of the Opera.

Consumers who purchase a Blu-ray player from Panasonic, Phillips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sony Electronics or Sony Computer Entertainment can take part in the mail-in offer.

Backers will launch a print and online campaign for the promotion in major magazines such as Maxim and Web sites including Google and CNet.