Netflix To Delay New Rentals By 28 Days

If you're a Netflix user you are a little disappointed today, as the mega-video renter has come to an agreement with Warner Bros. to delay all new releases by 28 days. This is said to force people to buy the DVD as appose to just renting them.

So what's in it for Netflix?

Well in exchange for this agreement, Warner Bros. will open up more movies for streaming to Netflix. Now that Netflix has opened the door for this, it's only a matter of time for the other movie homes to follow suit and look for the same deal. If you like to get the new releases right away your only option (legally) will be Blockbuster, Redbox, or another Brick & Mortar outlet.

If you like Blu-Ray, your only option will be Blockbuster..... and that sucks!!!!

I understand Netflix's desire to get more streaming content, but I don't think it should have come at such a high price to their other customers who don't stream. I have this feature so I have mixed feelings about it. But I think that Netflix could have worked something else out, perhaps delaying the new releases 7 days and not 28. If someone wants to buy the dvd, they're going to buy it, and I don't think delaying rentals will help movie houses dvd sales.

The price was too high Netflix!!!

[Gizmodo]

Universal Ends Exclusivity With HD DVD

The end is nie…

This sounds to be the case for HD DVD as Variety has confirmed that Universal will no longer support HD DVD exclusively. Universal and Paramount were the last two movie homes to support HD DVD exclusively, but that has changed since the announcement of Warner Bros. Blu-Ray only support. Paramount has a clause that will allow them to also push both formats, but some speculate that they will leave HD DVD completely.

Universal did say that they’re still committed to HD DVD, and in fact plan HD DVD promotions in the future. But Jesus Diaz from Gizmodo brings up an interesting point stating that retailers are not going to commit "premium shelf space to a dying format.”

If HD DVD starts to lose shelve space and begins to be pushed to the side, Universal might as well not make another HD DVD!

[Variety via Gizmodo]

Paramount Rumored To Go Blu-Ray Exclusively

Another devastating blow is rumored to be looming for HD DVD, as Financial Times is reporting Paramount has a clause in their HD DVD exclusivity that allows them to abandon ship if HD DVD tanks and Warner goes to Blu-Ray. Paramount is said to be ready to invoke that clause, in light of Warner’s defection.

In less than a week, HD DVD has gone from spunky underdog to heart attack victim on life support waiting to have the plug kicked out. If Paramount makes this switch, it would leave Universal and Dreamworks in the HD DVD camp. And with Dreamworks being a branch of Paramount, one would think that the change to Blu-Ray wouldn’t be to far behind.

Nite nite HD DVD. We hardly knew ye.

[Financial Times]

New Line Goes Exclusive To Blu-Ray

As another nail goes into the HD DVD coffin, New Line has confirmed in Variety Magazine that they will follow Warner Bros. and go exclusively to Blu-Ray. There are other film homes that could still go either way, but one would expect them to lean towards Blu-Ray now. With the thought of The Lord of The Rings Trilogy being in HD, this might be the pushing point for many consumers.

It's starting to look like there's only going to be one sheriff in this town.

Warner Bros. Goes 100% Blu-Ray: HD DVD On The Ropes?

In what is sure to be a huge blow to the HD DVD camp, Warner Brothers has gone exclusively to Blu-Ray. Where once they were producing for both HD formats with movies like Harry Potter and 300, the WB will produce only for Blu-Ray. Check the quote from WB chairman Barry Meyer:

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger,"

Meyer seems to think that this will end the format war, but with movie homes like Paramount, DreamWorks and Universal still in the HD DVD camp, I don't think this thing is over. But it is disappointing because HD DVD titles seemed to have more features than their Blu-Ray counter parts. And this move would suggest that most movie homes are moving towards Blu-Ray. With the thought of Batman: The Dark Knight and the remaining Harry Potter movies only in Blu-Ray format, they might have made up my mind for me.

A big blow for sure!

Check the press release after the jump.

[Gizmodo]

The new Joker?

This may be the concept picture for the Joker in the new Batman movie. I believe this is Heath Ledger, but with photo shop you never know.

Take it for what it's worth.