Blockbuster to stock Blu-ray (and Blu-ray ONLY)

Does this mean the format wars are over? Well, for Blockbuster, it seems just that. Associated Press just released a statement that Blockbuster will exclusively carry high-def discs in Blu-ray format in 1,450 of their stores. This decision came from an analysis done in 250 branches where they carried both Blu-ray and HD-DVDs. It was found that more than 70% of the consumers rented out Blu-ray discs over HD-DVD. Blockbuster senior VP of merchandising had this to say:

The consumers are sending us a message. […] I can’t ignore what I’m seeing. When you walk into a store and see all this product available in Blu-ray and there is less available on HD DVD, I think the consumer gets that [more studios are releasing films in Blu-ray].

True enough, most major studios are supporting the Blu-ray. Another factor, of course, would be the release of the PlayStation 3, which gave the Blu-ray format a big push in sales. It’s now believed that Blockbuster’s decision could be the first step in shifting the balance and will allow other retailers to follow suit.

The North American HD-DVD Promotional Group, however, sees Blockbuster’s decision as unfounded. Ken Graffeo thinks that basing their move on the Blu-ray flims’ success over the first three months of the year was too short-sighted.

Despite it all, Blockbuster will still keep renting out HD-DVDs in their original 250 locations and online. But as it stands, that’s 1,450 stores with exclusive Blu-ray, and 250 offering Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Now do the math.

Does this mean the format wars are over? Well, for Blockbuster, it seems just that. Associated Press just released a statement that Blockbuster will exclusively carry high-def discs in Blu-ray format in 1,450 of their stores. This decision came from an analysis done in 250 branches where they carried both Blu-ray and HD-DVDs. It was found that more than 70% of the consumers rented out Blu-ray discs over HD-DVD. Blockbuster senior VP of merchandising had this to say:

The consumers are sending us a message. […] I can’t ignore what I’m seeing. When you walk into a store and see all this product available in Blu-ray and there is less available on HD DVD, I think the consumer gets that [more studios are releasing films in Blu-ray].

True enough, most major studios are supporting the Blu-ray. Another factor, of course, would be the release of the PlayStation 3, which gave the Blu-ray format a big push in sales. It’s now believed that Blockbuster’s decision could be the first step in shifting the balance and will allow other retailers to follow suit.

The North American HD-DVD Promotional Group, however, sees Blockbuster’s decision as unfounded. Ken Graffeo thinks that basing their move on the Blu-ray flims’ success over the first three months of the year was too short-sighted.

Despite it all, Blockbuster will still keep renting out HD-DVDs in their original 250 locations and online. But as it stands, that’s 1,450 stores with exclusive Blu-ray, and 250 offering Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Now do the math.