Quote:
Originally Posted by bruceames
Somehow, this doesn't surprise me. If Blu-ray wins, I'll be expecting Sony to be very agressive in expanding their (then) extensive control in the home video arena, due to:
1) historical tendencies
2) confidence and profits gained in success of Blu-ray
3) preparations to secure the next gen format after Blu-ray
With the Playstation franchise already having proven itself as a goliath in secondary use of forced BD player market penetration, and the use of Sony Pictures and their 20% stake in MGM as rock-solid exclusive anchors, having a long arm in the rental business in the next logical move towards a vertical monopoly. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Blockbuster were next on their hit list, and maybe they have already got their foot in the door thru a hush deal...
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Again, total nonsense. Sony can't control the rental market, this is a business deal with a company that is trying to develop a rental business, DVD and Blu-ray. Unlike Blockbuster which owns the rentals then sells them after demand is low, this business model doesn't include ownership. Sony needs to have movies that rent well for this to amount to anything for Sony, just as the other studios need to provide titles that rent well to prosper from this deal. Sony is not excluding anybody, other companies are permitted to enter into a similar agreement. This is good for the consumer and good for the industry and I think Universal should see the need to offer Blu-ray releases or explain the reasoning they won't to their stockholders.
The only take I see from the HD DVD group sure requires a very strange view of how business works. Only Blu-ray means every company is going to have to offer quality and value or be left out of the profits, including Sony.
Thanks for another brief snippet of more good news. Momentum is building and I expect to see more and bigger announcements in the coming weeks. I am more optimistic with each announcement of this nature, although each one in and of itself doesn't amount to much. It is the cumulative effect that I am looking forward to.
Chris