The Zone

In a somewhat thumping blow for the Blu-ray camp in the current nex-gen format wars, Paramount Pictures just announced that they're going to throw their support solely behind HD-DVD. All Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies, MTV Films and DreamWorks Animation movies will only exclusively be available on HD-DVD (or DVDs of course). Note that Steven Spielberg's films do not apply as his films are not exclusive to either format.

According to Paramount, one of their main reasons to do so is because they believed that standalone HD-DVD players are more prevalent in homes today in the US. Of course, what Paramount didn't say is that it's also easier on Paramount's pockets too as HD-DVD is cheaper to manufacture than Blu-ray discs. So much for the PlayStation 3 being a so-called trojan horse for Blu-ray adoption eh?

The first movie to be released from Paramount exclusively on HD-DVD will be Blades of Glory on August 24th. Yes, Transformers and Shrek The Third will follow soon after that. And yes, exclusively on HD-DVD only.  

Source here.