Rumor: Paramount sta per diventare esclusiva HD DVD
UPDATE: E' stato confermato ufficialmente, vedi sotto!!!
Notizia bomba se confermata: Paramount sta per diventare esclusiva HD DVD!.
Pare che il consorzio HD DVD abbia versato 150 milioni di dollari per l'esclusiva. 50 milioni per il catalogo Paramount e 100 per quello Dreamworks Animation.
"Based on conversations with multiple sources, we believe that Paramount is set to make the vast majority of its catalog available exclusively in the HD-DVD format (unclear whether that includes titles from its sister studio DreamWorks).
While Paramount (owned by Viacom) has some on-going commitments to release new release titles in Blu-ray, it is unclear how long that commitment lasts and how comprehensive the agreement is.
Up until now, Paramount and DreamWorks (live action) were releasing in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats. The reason for shifting catalog exclusivity to HD-DVD would appear to be substantial upfront dollars. We expect these dollars could have a meaningfully positive impact on Viacom's film profitability in 2H '07 and full-year 2008.
Separately, it appears that DreamWorks Animation is set to announced that 3-5 key titles (some catalog, some new releases, but details are still fuzzy) over the next several years will be made available exclusively in HD-DVD.
While we are somewhat surprised to see DWA favor a format given its smaller number of releases in a year similar to Paramount, we suspect the driving force of the decision was upfront payments to increase their support of HD-DVD. Given DWA's size, the financial impact on EPS in 2008-2010 could be a positive catalyst for the stock (we are still assuming that Shrek The Third is coming out in both formats in November 2007).
Prior to these revelations, we believe HD-DVD was essentially "dying a slow death," as Universal was the only studio exclusive to HD-DVD (and its box office was not strong enough this year to make a difference), far outweighed by the Blu-ray only studios (Sony, Fox, Disney, MGM, and Lionsgate.) Even though Sony's PS3 has been disappointing from a sales standpoint, Blu-ray DVD sales had begun to notably accelerate based on the content being made available. However, the Paramount/DWA moves alter the landscape meaningfully, as Paramount (Including DW/DWA titles) is the leading theatrical distributor year-to-date (enabling its catalog DVDs to "ride the coattails" of the success of successful theatrical films being released on DVD for the first time.)"
fonte: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/desp...dvd-format-war/
Traduco:
"In base a conversazioni con multeplici fonti, crediamo che Paramount stia per rendere la vasta maggioranza del suo catalogo disponibile esclusivamente nel formato HD DVD (non è chiaro che questo includa i titoli del suo studio sorella DreamWorks).
Mentre Paramount (posseduto da Viacom) ha alcuni impegni in corso per rilasciare nuovi titoli in Blu-Ray, non è chiaro quanto a lungo questi impegni dureranno e quanto comprensivo sia questo accordo.
Fino ad ora, Paramount e DreamWorks (live action) pubblicavano sia in formato Blu-Ray che in HD DVD. La ragione dello spostamento del catalogo esclusivamente su HD DVD appare essere dovuto ad un sostanzioso ammontare di dollari. Pensiamo che questi dollari potranno avere un significativo e positivo impatto sui profitti di Viacom nel 2H '07 e in tutto il 2008.
Separatamente, appare che DreamWorks Animation si prepara ad annunciare 3-5 titoli chiave (alcuni di catalogo, alcune nuove uscite, ma i dettagli sono ancora incerti) nei prossimi anni e che questi saranno esclusivamente in HD DVD.
Mentre noi siamo in qualche modo sorpresi di vedere DWA favorire un formato dato il basso numero di uscite annuali rispetto a quelle Paramount, noi sospettiamo che la forza motrice della decisione siano stati pagamenti per incrementare il supporto di HD DVD. Data la dimensione di DWA, l'impatto finanziaro sull'EPS nel 2008-2010 potrebbe essere un catalizzatore positivo per le azioni (assumendo che Shrek The Third esca in entrambi i formati a Novembre 2007).
Prima di queste rivelazioni, crediamo che HD DVD stesse morendo di una lenta morte, poichè Universal era il solo studio esclusivo HD DVD (ed il suo box office non era abbastanza forte quest'anno per fare una differenza), ben surclassato dal numero di studios esclusivi Blu-Ray (Sony, Fox, Disney, MGM, e Lionsgate.) Nonostante la PS3 di Sony sia stata una delusione dal punto di vista delle vendite, le vendite dei dischi DVD Blu-Ray hanno iniziato ad accelerare in base al contenuto disponibile. Comunque, la mossa Paramount/DWA altera lo scenario significativamente, poichè Paramount (includendo i titoli DW/DWA) è ad oggi l'attuale leader della distribuzione cinematogrfica (permettendo al suo catalogo DVD di "calvalcare la coda" dei successi dei film usciti in DVD per la prima volta)"
UPDATE: la notizia è stata confermata ufficialmente! Paramount e Dreamworks sono esclusive HD DVD!
E' arrivata la conferma ufficiale: Paramount e Dreamworks sono esclusive HD DVD!
LOS ANGELES - Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG announced Monday that they will offer next-generation DVDs in the HD DVD format rather than Blu-ray, a move that further complicates the race between the competing technologies.
The move by the two studios will include the upcoming blockbuster "Shrek the Third" and all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.
"Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience," said Brad Grey, chairman and chief executive of Paramount Pictures. "I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount."
The competition between Blu-ray and HD DVD has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.
Studios and retailers have been choosing sides.
"Spider-Man 3" will only be available in the Blu-ray DVD format when it is released by Sony Pictures.
Likewise, people with Blu-ray players won't be able to enjoy the action-thriller "The Bourne Ultimatum," which Universal Pictures will release only in HD DVD.
fonte: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070820/...1YWV25ms0 NUE
Altra fonte:
Paramount to Offer Movies in HD DVD
Monday, August 20, 2007
Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG announced Monday that they will offer next-generation DVDs in the HD DVD format rather than Blu-ray, a move that further complicates the race between the competing technologies.
The move by the two studios will include the upcoming blockbuster "Shrek the Third" and all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films, as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributed exclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.
"Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience," said Brad Grey, chairman and chief executive of Paramount Pictures. "I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount."
The competition between Blu-ray and HD DVD has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.
Studios and retailers have been choosing sides.
"Spider-Man 3" will only be available in the Blu-ray DVD format when it is released by Sony Pictures.
Likewise, people with Blu-ray players won't be able to enjoy the action-thriller "The Bourne Ultimatum," which Universal Pictures will release only in HD DVD.
Associated Press
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?.../f090407D98.DTL
Altra ancora: http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6670264
Riassumendo:
Paramount Pictures
DreamWorks Pictures
Paramount Vantage
Nickelodeon Movies
MTV Films
DreamWorks Animation
Sono tutte diventate esclusive HD DVD.
Direi megaton... :D
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