Paramount/Dreamworks To Go Blu-Ray?

by Darren Lee Taylor - 2008/01/08 9:27am

Could HD-DVD finally be dead and buried as Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures look to Blu-Ray after Warner Bros shock exit last week

Although strictly rumour at this present stage, if they are deemed true enough, you can expect to see a surge in film sales and Blu-Ray content throughout 2008 and into the future.

However, Paramount, which is owned by Viacom, is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros backing Blu-ray, according to people familiar with the situation.

Paramount is set to have a bumper 2008 with several likely blockbusters, including the latest instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise, with the latest film set for cinemas in summer 2008.

Warners decision last week to throw its weight behind Blu-ray saw it join Walt Disney, 20th Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as backers of the Sony format.

The Warners move gives Blu-ray about 70 per cent of Hollywood’s output, although the format’s grip on film content will increase further when/if Paramount comes aboard.