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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Blockbuster to focus on Blu-ray | Blockbuster to focus on Blu-ray |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Film rental firm Blockbuster is to rent high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format at 1,450 US stores. | |
| The move is viewed as a blow for the rival Toshiba-backed HD DVD format - which has been battling against the Blu-ray format, supported by Sony. | The move is viewed as a blow for the rival Toshiba-backed HD DVD format - which has been battling against the Blu-ray format, supported by Sony. |
| Blockbuster said that consumers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD in the 250 stores where both were available. | Blockbuster said that consumers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD in the 250 stores where both were available. |
| The limited choice of titles in the HD DVD format was also a factor in focusing on Blu-ray, Blockbuster said. | The limited choice of titles in the HD DVD format was also a factor in focusing on Blu-ray, Blockbuster said. |
| "The consumers are sending us a message. I can't ignore what I'm seeing," Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbusters, told the Associated Press news agency. | "The consumers are sending us a message. I can't ignore what I'm seeing," Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbusters, told the Associated Press news agency. |
| Mr Smith added that most studios were offering films on Blu-ray, with the exception of Universal which has been supplying films on HD DVD alone. | Mr Smith added that most studios were offering films on Blu-ray, with the exception of Universal which has been supplying films on HD DVD alone. |
| The North American HD DVD Promotional Group said Blockbuster's move was short sighted, and had been prompted by the success of films released exclusively in the Blu-ray format in early 2007 such as Casino Royale and Spider Man. | The North American HD DVD Promotional Group said Blockbuster's move was short sighted, and had been prompted by the success of films released exclusively in the Blu-ray format in early 2007 such as Casino Royale and Spider Man. |
| "I think trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the group. | "I think trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the group. |
| The HD DVD format will still be available at Blockbuster in 250 of its stores as well as via the internet. | The HD DVD format will still be available at Blockbuster in 250 of its stores as well as via the internet. |