It’s no secret that Blu-ray Disc has picked up more steam
than HD DVD so far in 2007. With a greater number of
sales and the strong backing from video
rental juggernaut Blockbuster, Blu-ray appears to be gaining the edge in
the overall high-definition optical format war.
While the above may all be true for North America, the
situation is a little different across the pond. According to what executives
from companies backing HD DVD told CNET UK,
HD DVD may have a stronger foothold in Europe. The report says that, in
mainland Europe, around 50 percent of movies are produced by studios
independent of Hollywood. For these independent studios, whose budgets are much
smaller than Hollywood, producing HD DVD media is cheaper than with Blu-ray
Disc.
Furthermore, the HD DVD camp believes that the Blu-ray backers
have largely ignored Europe, but instead is concentrating its effort in the
U.S. market. The supposed lack of stronger Blu-ray presence is leaving an
opening for HD DVD to take root in Europe.
HD DVD may also be getting a bit of assistance from the
European Union. iTWire reports
that the European Commission – which watches over antitrust matters – has become
interested in why certain studios exclusively support one high-def format over another.
While the answer to that question may be obvious for Sony and its subsidiaries,
the European Commission would like to hear explanations from Disney, Fox, Lions
Gate and MGM as to why they only back Blu-ray Disc.
Conversely, the European Commission may be posing the same
question – but in the other direction – for Universal as to why they only
support HD DVD. According to the story, the European Commission sent letters
out to all studios that exclusively support one side or the other.
Of all major Hollywood studios releasing movies in
high-definition optical formats, only Paramount and Warner Bros. are format
neutral by releasing product for both sides.
