Paramount, Universal already switching to Blu-ray?

Following today's announcement of the end of the HD DVD format, a German site is reporting that movie studios Paramount and Universal are already pledging to switch to the Blu-ray format for future HD releases. Both companies were once staunch supporters of HD DVD, the latter after a controversial $150 million payout which brought it on-side. Sony has also used money to influence format adoption, but Paramount claimed that its decision was based solely on merit.

Indications that the studios would migrate to Blu-ray have persisted since the defection of Warner to the format in late December. The Financial Times has suggested that a clause exists in Paramount's contract, which could allow it to abandon HD DVD in face of market changes. Universal, meanwhile, is said to have already fulfilled its HD DVD obligations, giving it the ability to produce Blu-ray discs as it sees fit. [via HDTV Praxis]

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: blu-ray, HD DVD, Universal, Warner, Paramount