Warner Denies Blu-ray Switch
The company says it plans to support both formats.
By Swanni
Asked by syndicated columnist Don Lindich about reports that it would support Blu-ray, Warner Bros. General Manager Jim Noonan issued this statement:
“We have made no decision to change our present policy which is to produce in both HD DVD and Blu-ray.”
Warner is the last major studio to release movies in both high-def disc formats. (Four major studios are backing Blu-ray while two are supporting HD DVD.) But there have been rumors that Warner is considering abandoning its neutral stance and endorse one format.
Pali Research analyst Rich Greenfield yesterday issued a report predicting that Warner will support Blu-ray. (As did this web site. See: Warner Bros. to Endorse Blu-ray) He said that Warner's endorsement could end the format war in 2008.
“If Warner Bros. and New Line shift exclusively to Blu-ray in early 2008, Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks will not have enough titles to sustain HD DVD for much longer," Greenfield said, referring to the two studios that back HD DVD exclusively.
Pali Research is the research arm of Pali Capital, a full-service financial brokerage.
Blu-ray and HD DVD are rival formats competing for the new high-def disc audience.
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