HOLY SMOKES Universal goes NEUTRAL? (rumor)

[j_garcia]

It is the internet and it is a rumor, but if true WOW:

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/35581/118/

Never mind: Jumped the gun on that one

Responding to published reports that its commitment to backing HD DVD exclusively has ended, Universal has issued a new statement of support for HD DVD.

"Contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format," said Ken Graffeo, executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment and co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group.

Graffeo's comments follow a report in yesterday's Variety that Universal's agreement to exclusively support HD DVD had ended and had not been renewed. The report went on to speculate that both Universal and Paramount could switch sides soon, ending the high-def format war instantly.

A Universal spokesperson told us this afternoon that the studio plans to issue new upcoming HD DVD title announcements in the near future.

The HD DVD Promotions Group is also said to be planning its own statement regarding the rumors of a Universal switch to format neutrality.

Stay tuned...

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Universal/Industry_Trends/Universal_Re-Affirms_HD_DVD_Support/1362

However, that statement does not actually deny anything.

 

[Bluesmoke]

It's obviously in the works. Takes some time to go over the legal stuff. But it's over. Universal and Paramount will both switch. Their shareholders won't let them stay HD DVD. Business ALWAYS takes precedence over pride.

 

[j_garcia]

I was already pretty sure Paramount would go back to neutral or switch completley, but wasn't expecting Universal to make the move that fast. The writing IS on the wall though...