Susanne Ault

Warner Evaluates, Not Shocks Everyone to Pieces

Contrary to reports elsewhere, Warner Home Video has not changed its dual high-def format stance, according to studio spokesman Jim Noonan.
Sure, Blu-ray is beating HD DVD in titles sales by a 2 to 1 ratio. But that is not giving Warner an itchy exclu-Blu trigger finger.
True, the studio is using the word "evaluate" more when it discusses its high-def positioning. That does leave some wiggle room for a different decision down the road. But as of now, there is no leaning at Warner, where the studio is happy to be juggling both high-def formats and maximizing all possible high-def business.
"As far as whether this is an iron-clad situation, we are a smart company and evaluate all of our strategies on an ongoing basis," said Noonan. "It won't be any different in this case."
That said, Noonan added, "We have not altered our decision to be in both formats."
Much pressure has been placed on this fourth quarter to shed some light on the status of the format war. Each side is going in with full guns blazing, as studios are exclusively releasing A-list titles in HD DVD and Blu-ray. 
The fourth quarter "is another piece of information," said Noonan.
War on, everyone!

Posted by Susanne Ault on October 31, 2007 | Comments (2)