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Netflix currently stocks over 400 Blu-ray titles.
Apparently, Netflix will not help HD DVD owners nurse their wounds from the format war.
The online rental company just announced that it would soon only rent Blu-ray high-def DVDs. The company says that the decision was based on the shift of the movie studios to back Blu-ray. Until now, Netflix has carried both formats.
According to the announcement, it doesn’t look like Netflix plans to stock any new HD DVD releases. They will also phase out what they currently offer by the end of 2008.
“The prolonged period of competition between two formats has prevented clear communication to the consumer regarding the richness of the high-def experience versus standard definition,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix. “We’re now at the point where the industry can pursue the migration to a single format, bring clarity to the consumer and accelerate the adoption of high-def. Going forward, we expect that all of the studios will publish in the Blu-ray format and that the price points of high-def DVD players will come down significantly. These factors could well lead to another decade of disc-based movie watching as the consumer’s preferred means.”
Netflix also says that while most of its subscribers still rent standard DVDs, the majority of high-def rentals are Blu-ray.
Lots of companies are dropping HD-DVD. Netflix announcement just adds to a huge list so far this year. It’s happening all over the world and with other companies in the US as well (list is up to 25 companies now for 2008).
02-12-08 Hi-Fi Klubben (large Scandinavian retailer) goes Blu-ray exclusive.
02-11-08 Tripictures (Spain) goes Blu-ray exclusive.
02-11-08 Best Buy recommends Blu-ray
02-11-08 Netflix goes Blu-ray exclusive
02-07-08 FS Films goes Blu-ray exclusive
02-07-08 Kaleidescape goes Blu-ray exclusive
02-07-08 Saturn (Largest German electronics retailer) goes Blu-ray exclusive
02-07-08 SF Films (Sweden) goes Blu-ray Exclusive
02-07-08 Scanbox (Sweden) goes Blu-ray Exclusive
02-07-08 Filmax goes Blu-ray Exclusive
02-04-08 BAC Films (France) goes Blu-ray Exclusive
02-04-08 Manga Films goes Blu-ray Exclusive
02-01-08 ADV Films goes Blu-ray Exclusive
01-31-08 Highlight Video (Germany) goes Blu-ray Exclusive
01-30-08 National Geographic goes Blu-ray Exclusive
01-30-08 EMI (Japan) goes Blu-ray Exclusive
01-30-08 Sonic Solutions Scenarist goes Blu-ray Exclusive
01-28-08 Woolworths Retail Outlet (UK) goes Blu-ray exclusive in store.
01-22-08 Grant’s Appliances to goes Blu-ray exclusive
01-16-08 Senator Entertainment goes Blu-ray exclusive.
01-16-08 Digital Playground goes Blu-ray exclusive
01-11-08 Constantin Film goes Blu-ray exclusive.
01-10-08 HBO goes Blu-ray exclusive.
01-05-08 New Line goes Blu-ray exclusive.
01-04-08 Warner goes Blu-ray exclusive.
“Toward the end of February, HD DVDs in your Saved Queue will automatically be changed to standard definition DVDs. Then toward the end of this year, all HD DVDs in your Queue will be changed to standard definition DVDs. Don’t worry, we will contact you before this happens.”
I love that…DON’T WORRY. It implies they’ve gotten the backing of the godfather, errr BDA, That BDA could fund Bluray’s presidential campaign is they wanted to.
Seriously, I was upset when I got the email. I thought Toshiba’s recent price slashing moves was going to get the ball rolling back in to the favor of the HD-DVD supporters. Instead of embracing the user friendly price point, BEST BUY comes out with a statement that HD-DVD are going to get their own little “time out” corner, while Bluray are going to be prominantly displayed all over. Small problem there, Best Buy. The entry level Toshiba is $150, while the entry level Bluray is $400, for basically the same features.
More on the Best Buy situation that lozenp mentioned:
Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray as the Customer’s Digital Format Choice
I didn’t get anything from Netflix yet, but I will keep checking.
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“Netflix also says that while most of its subscribers still rent standard DVDs, the majority of high-def rentals are Blu-ray.”
weeeeeell, more like over 90% of its subscribers
golly gosh! together with the “Woollies announcement” this is just awful!!!!