Big Blow To Toshiba, Warner Bros Announced Blu-Ray Exclusive

Warner finally has the decision after long period of being dual format supporter since day one. The rumor came true; they are going to switch to Blu-ray exclusively. Recent leaks from Warner's top exclusives have indication of Blu-ray endorsement if the blue camp continue to outsell its rival during the Holidays season. They made their choice; Blu-ray is the future. HD-DVD supporters will have their chances to get the last of Warner's copies of red disks until then, Hi Def titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May of 2008.

The Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros, Barry Meyer stated that "Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want,"

With Warner joining the Blu camp, the hi-def material judged by studio releases and availability is somewhere in the neighborhood of 70% blue and 30% red. Warner alone has a share of 20% in DVD in USA. It's a dramatic switch! The format war, it's over? Your thought.

[update : videobusiness has updated their report that the switch will includ sub-division of Time Warner, The New Line Home Entertainment and HBO Video, i guess Lord of the Rings will be packed in blue bag only if it ever get released ]

Warner Bros to back Blu-ray DVD format exclusively [via reuters]