Update: Dreamworks drops HD DVD, but wont make Blu-ray for now

It seems Dreamworks has gotten the OK from Toshiba to drop HD DVD because they have cancelled all upcoming HD DVD titles including the anticipated "Bee Movie" that was set for release in North America on March 11th.

Dreamwork's parent company Paramount also announced that it would be ending HD DVD releases beginning on March 4th.

The studios differ however with their future plans. Paramount plans to release on Blu-ray right after they drop HD DVD while you wont be seeing any Dreamworks titles until at least the summer. There was no word on what each studio's first release will be.

Earlier this week Dreamworks' CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg made a statement saying that the studio was still committed to HD DVD thanks to contractual obligations. From his mouth, "We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through," he said. "It really is in [Toshiba's] court at this point to really declare what the next step will be."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 2 Mar 2008 14:31

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9 comments

NexGen76

Quote:Dreamworks' CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg made a statement saying that the studio was still committed to HD DVD thanks to contractual obligations. From his mouth, "We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through," he said. "It really is in [Toshiba's] court at this point to really declare what the next step will be." What a ass clown,So if Toshiba told you to close your door & stop doing business i guess your going to listen.Where have this guy been the last two months to make a stupid statement like that.If no one every told him Toshiba isn't in the HD business anymore.

2.3.2008 15:34 #1

nonoitall

Quote:Quote:Dreamworks' CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg made a statement saying that the studio was still committed to HD DVD thanks to contractual obligations. From his mouth, "We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through," he said. "It really is in [Toshiba's] court at this point to really declare what the next step will be." What a ass clown,So if Toshiba told you to close your door & stop doing business i guess your going to listen.Where have this guy been the last two months to make a stupid statement like that.If no one every told him Toshiba isn't in the HD business anymore.It wasn't just a matter of Toshiba casually asking Dreamworks to stick with HD-DVD. It was part of their contract.

2.3.2008 15:44 #2

iluvendo

Quote:
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Dreamworks' CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg made a statement saying that the studio was still committed to HD DVD thanks to contractual obligations. From his mouth, "We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through," he said. "It really is in [Toshiba's] court at this point to really declare what the next step will be."
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Just plain spin. America it seems needs spin and the art of saving face now more than ever.

If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck!
"The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

2.3.2008 15:49 #3

camaro17

wow why would they hold up on something they can make money on?

Peace

2.3.2008 17:52 #4

ripxrush

i know it sounds stupid but it is still a contract they probobly had a fine if they left! Just like the way most of the newcomers to BR probobly have. Get x if you join us but once you do you have to pay X Bank to us if you leave! It isn't hard to understand it is just business.

3.3.2008 03:07 #5

atomicxl

Quote:Quote:Dreamworks' CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg made a statement saying that the studio was still committed to HD DVD thanks to contractual obligations. From his mouth, "We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through," he said. "It really is in [Toshiba's] court at this point to really declare what the next step will be." What a ass clown,So if Toshiba told you to close your door & stop doing business i guess your going to listen.Where have this guy been the last two months to make a stupid statement like that.If no one every told him Toshiba isn't in the HD business anymore.What a joke. Do you have any clue what a contract is? You can't just break one and walk away with no consequences. And with business contracts, those consequences are major fines. Fines probably worth more than the lousy HD sales you'd get regardless of what format you released on.

3.3.2008 10:22 #6

runar

Guess we just have to hope that Toshiba gives the all clear to join BR as soon as possible.

3.3.2008 15:34 #7

hughjars

Originally posted by camaro17: wow why would they hold up on something they can make money on? - I know it's hard for some people to accept but no-one knows if Blu-ray production is profitable or not at this stage.

It's also worth considering a couple of other facts.

Not only has Blu-ray had the big boost from the PS3 right from the start (which makes a like for like comparison with DVD difficult) but, depending on which stats you prefer to believe, Blu-ray is either just ahead of or just behind where DVD was at this stage in it's 'life'.

That's not good.

It's perfectly possible that both high def disc based formats end up failing to take off.

Blu-ray may well have won the battle with HD DVD but 'lost' the war to be the next DVD.

Personally I expect Blu-ray (like many high def products) to remain a niche product with SD DVD continuing to dominate sales.

This will be much to the CE & movie corp's anger & annoyance and I fully expect them to at least try and drop DVD releases in favour of Blu-ray only......only to get burnt on low sales and lost profits.

5.3.2008 16:21 #8

borhan9

Is this wat they call progress.

20.4.2008 21:15 #9

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