[opendtv] Netflix goes Blu-ray only
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:02:23 -0500
Netflix goes Blu-ray only
Netflix, citing a clear signal from the industry, will carry high-def
DVDs only in Blu-ray format
Dennis Barker
(02/11/2008 3:12 PM EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206402196
With the industry now seemingly having picked a winner in the face-off
between the two competing igh- definition DVD formats, Netflix, Inc.,
the world's largest online movie rental service, has nnounced that it
will move toward stocking high-def DVDs exclusively in the Blu-ray
format.
Citing the decision by four of the six major movie studios to publish
high-def DVD titles only in he Sony-developed Blu-ray format, Netflix
said that as of now it will purchase only Blu-ray discs and will phase
out by roughly year's end the alternative high-def format, HD DVD,
developed by Toshiba.
Since the first high-definition DVDs came on the market in early 2006,
Netflix has stocked both formats. But the company said that in recent
months the industry has stated its clear preference for Blu-ray and that
it now makes sense for the company to initiate the transition to a
single format.
According to Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, "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. 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."
Mr. Sarandos added: "From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one
format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers who
want high- definition to be an important part of how they enjoy our
service."
While only a portion of Netflix subscribers have elected to receive
high- def DVDs, a majority of those subscribers have chosen Blu-ray over
HD DVD. As part of the transition to Blu-ray, the company said it will
acquire no new HD DVDs but that its current HD DVD inventory would
continue to rent until the discs' natural life cycle takes them out of
circulation in the coming months.
When Warner Home Video announced last month that by the end of this year
it will release high-def titles exclusively in the Blu-ray format, it
joined fellow majors Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century
Fox Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment in endorsing
Blu-ray. Currently, the two remaining majors, Paramount Home
Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Entertainment, publish in the
HD DVD format.
Netflix currently stocks over 400 Blu-ray titles, having recently added
popular releases such as "Across the Universe" (Sony), "Gone Baby Gone"
(Buena Vista) and the Academy Award nominated "Michael Clayton" (Warner
Bros.). Blu- ray titles scheduled for release in the next month or so
include the Academy Award nominated "No Country for Old Men" (Walt
Disney), "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" (Sony) and "Alvin and the
Chipmunks" (20th Century Fox).
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental
service, providing more than seven million subscribers access to more
than 90,000 DVD titles plus a growing library of more than 7,000 choices
that can be watched instantly on their PCs. The company offers nine
subscription plans, starting at only $4.99 per month. There are no due
dates and no late fees -- ever. All Netflix plans include both DVDs
delivered to subscribers' homes and, for no additional fee, movies and
TV series that can be started in as little as 30 seconds on subscribers'
PCs. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a
postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points. Nearly
95 percent of Netflix subscribers live in areas that can be reached with
generally one business day delivery. Netflix offers personalized movie
recommendations and has two billion movie ratings. For more information,
visit http://www.netflix.com
For other pertinent stories on Blu-ray and HD DVD, please consult
Digital TV DesignLine.
All material on this site Copyright 2008 CMP Media LLC. All rights
reserved.
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