DreamWorks Animation On Going Blu: "It's Up To Toshiba"

[Pirate]

Still contractually locked into HD DVD exclusivity, DreamWorks Animation says it's up to Toshiba to decide when the company can begin releasing discs on Blu-ray.

That's according to DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, who acknowledged in an interview with Reuters Tuesday that his company was "well-compensated" for its HD DVD exclusivity, and that it was awaiting word from Toshiba on how to proceed.

"It really is in their court at this point to really declare what the next step will be," explained Katzenberg. "We're poised either way to jump into the marketplace when the conditions are right to do so."

Though DreamWorks Animation is an independently owned company, Paramount Pictures (corporate parent of sister studio DreamWorks SKG) announced its own intention to return to Blu-ray last Thursday. At press time it wasn't clear how (or if) the HD DVD exclusivity terms for the two companies were different.

'Bee Movie' is the only upcoming DreamWorks Animation title currently on the HD DVD schedule. Katzenberg told Reuters he was waiting to hear back from Toshiba on how to proceed with that title.

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...(For_Now)/1516

[Derb]

Don't see any reason now as to why Toshiba would want to prevent other studios to... carry on.

If they do prevent them from releasing however, that speaks a lot about the company.

[Ruined]

It may have something to do with the money for the exclusivity. i.e. if it was an 18 month contract but only 6 months have past, Dreamworks may want all 18 months worth of the money while Toshiba may only be offering 6 months prorated.

i.e. if the number was 100 million for 18 months, Dreamworks may be demanding all 100 million while Toshiba may now only be offering 35 million for 6 months since the format technically is no longer active and for 100mil Toshiba would in essence be paying for exclusivity time they did not end up getting due to the format being killed off + Dreamworks being released early from exclusivity.

That really is the only thing that would make sense to me out of Dreamworks' cryptic statement. They are probably trying to negotiate for a more lucrative settlement.

[supercutz]

I agree with Ruined

[Monrozombi]

Originally Posted by Ruined

It may have something to do with the money for the exclusivity. i.e. if it was an 18 month contract but only 6 months have past, Dreamworks may want all 18 months worth of the money while Toshiba may only be offering 6 months prorated.

i.e. if the number was 100 million for 18 months, Dreamworks may be demanding all 100 million while Toshiba may now only be offering 35 million for 6 months since the format technically is no longer active and for 100mil Toshiba would in essence be paying for exclusivity time they did not end up getting due to the format being killed off + Dreamworks being released early from exclusivity.

That really is the only thing that would make sense to me out of Dreamworks' cryptic statement. They are probably trying to negotiate for a more lucrative settlement.

But wouldn't Toshiba have written in their contracts with the studios for this type of scenario so that they aren't off 100 million but maybe the only 35 for example

[Moonraker]

Well, Home Media Magazine has confirmed the cancellation of Bee Movie.

[supercutz]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Well, Home Media Magazine has confirmed the cancellation of Bee Movie.

Hi-Def is also reporting the same news they confirmed by Paramount.

[ganthc]

Well, now that movies are consolidated under one format, hopefully we'll see more movies coming out.