In case there was any doubt of the end of HD DVD, Universal
Studios Home Entertainment told the press today that it will begin releasing
its movies on Blu-ray Disc.
“The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation
platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive
efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def’s unparalleled offerings in
interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price,” said
Craig Kornblau, Universal Studios Home Entertainment President.
Universal Studios was the only studio to unequivocally support
HD DVD since the format’s inception, with the picture company’s executive vice
president, Ken
Graffeo, also serving as the co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group. Now
that Toshiba dropped HD DVD the movie company has little choice but to release
on Blu-ray Disc.
“The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause
for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate.
While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is
time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray,” added
Kornblau.
Universal on Tuesday released American Gangster on HD DVD, which may be its last new release on
the format. The only other upcoming release on Universal’s calendar is catalog
title Fletch, currently set for March
11.