Print Email RSS RSS  Share del.icio.us Facebook Twitter
DreamWorks Still Clinging to HD DVD
The movie studio is still planning to release "Bee Movie" on the defunct format next month.
Bee Movie HD DVD
DreamWorks is still planning to release “Bee Movie” on HD DVD. Photo: © 2007 DreamWorks Animation
February 27, 2008 | by Rachel Cericola

DreamWorks apparently wants a supernatural sign from Toshiba in regards to HD DVD. The company’s recent announcement that they would abandon the HD DVD format next month wasn’t enough for the studio; they are still sitting tight, honoring their exclusivity agreement.

“We have a partnership with Toshiba and have an obligation to see this through,” DreamWorks Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said on Tuesday (via Reuters).

Maybe he didn’t read the fine print; maybe there was no fine print.

Katzenberg went on to say he was waiting to see “what the next step will be,” meaning the studio was waiting to hear from Toshiba.

As of now, DreamWorks is still planning to release the Jerry Seinfield animated hit “Bee Movie” next month, on HD DVD. They might lose out on Blu-ray revenue, but the $150 million they received for their exclusivity deal could cushion the blow.

Katzenberg is just hoping things will be cleared up by the holiday season.

Paramount and DreamWorks received a combined sum for siding with HD DVD. The only other backer, Universal Pictures, announced earlier this month that they would be switching support to the Blu-ray format.



Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer
Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.



Article Topics
What's Related
Popular Tags
Social Bookmark   less


Comments (28) Most recent displayed first.
Posted by Tyler  on  02/27/08  at  01:09 PM

Wow, another stunningly intelligent article in this mag…

Warner, Paramount, Dreamworks, and Universal ALL still have HD-DVD releases planned through May at least, including a few larger profile releases.

Pointless and uninformed article.

Posted by Dilodolo  on  02/27/08  at  12:45 PM

These CGI films really don’t need the HD treatment, so Dreamworks isn’t losing anything, IMO. Unlike live action movies, CGI DVDs upscale so well that I have a hard time telling them apart from their HD counterpart.  Although I have HD DVD and BR player, I’ll get this (after rental, if the kids like it) on DVD like most of the rest of humanity, unless it is on a combo disk.  the portable player needs to eat too ;)

Posted by Kevin  on  02/27/08  at  12:01 PM

Oh, come on.  Katzenberg needs a written release—news reports aren’t legal documents, believe if or not.  He hasn’t got one yet, and until he does he has no choice but to continue with the terms of the agreement, or be found in default.  So, Dreamworks is grumbling out loud in the hopes that Toshiba will be embarrassed enough to sign the release.

Posted by Blasst  on  02/27/08  at  11:43 AM

We clearly do not know all the details of the contract between Dreamworks and Toshiba.  To say that Dreamworks is “clinging” to HD DVD gives the wrong impression IMHO.

Posted by film11  on  02/27/08  at  11:38 AM

Why shouldn’t it (and other titles) still come out.  With over a million players sold (and more, with the current discounts), people will still buy them.  I know that pre-orders are pretty high for THERE WILL BE BLOOD, showing that there is still a market for HD-DVD.  I actually wish that titles wouyldstill appear on both formats.  Anyway, good news from DreamWorks.


+ View all comments on for this article



Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.