Target to Promote Blu-ray

Washington, D.C. (July 25, 2007) -- Target, the second largest retailer in the U.S., has agreed to put its considerable marketing muscle behind Sony's Blu-ray player this holiday season.

That's according to an article by the Associated Press.

While Target told AP that it's not endorsing one high-def disc format over another, the decision to promote the Blu-ray player over its rival HD DVD is another blow to HD DVD supporters.

Target's move follows an announcement last month that Blockbuster will carry only Blu-ray high-def discs in 1,450 stores. (The video retailer will continue to stock HD DVDs in 250 stores.)

Target, according to the AP, will begin selling a Sony Blu-ray player (BDP-S300) in October and promote Blu-ray discs in store displays. The move should give Blu-ray a large advantage over HD DVD during the holiday season.

The wire service says the Target decision will be announced by both the retailer and Sony on Thursday.

Target's decision will likely fuel sentiment that Blu-ray, which is backed by Sony, is the inevitable winner in the format war. Toshiba is the leading supporter of the HD DVD format.

Click to read Part Two of this article.

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.

© TVPredictions.com
____________________________________________

Swanni (Phillip Swann) is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

Click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology.