Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
11-15-12 | 09:53 AM
#1
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Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
Never saw this coming:
Burbank, Calif., November 15, 2012 -- The Warner Archive Collection (WAC) – the Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) division dedicated to releasing on DVD previously unavailable films and television shows – today announced the launch of its first Blu-ray™ titles. The two titles, Deathtrap and Gypsy, will debut on November 20. Beginning in February 2013, WAC expects to release a minimum of one to two Blu-ray titles per month. Future titles include The Hudsucker Proxy and Fearless.
WAC reports that the Blu-ray discs will be replicated in limited quantities and fulfilled on demand. All releases will leverage high quality 1080p masters. In many instances, as with Deathtrap, the films will be available for the first time for home viewing in their original widescreen format.
Starting as a modest initiative, WAC has quickly grown to become a new business model for the studio and a recognized industry leader. Since launching in March 2009, WAC has released more than 1,500 films, short subjects, TV movies and mini-series that otherwise would not have been available, providing a valuable service to film lovers everywhere.
Now, WAC’s entry into the Blu-ray market is the latest example of its fast growth and increasing popularity with consumers who have embraced the technology as the standard for the highest quality home movie viewing on disc. This year, domestic sales of catalog titles on Blu-ray grew 22% in the third quarter from a year earlier. In fact, Blu-ray sales have shown impressive gains every quarter in 2012, continuing the trend set in 2011 over 2010 when sales were up 20%.[1]
In making the Blu-ray announcement, WBDD President Thomas Gewecke said, “This is an important innovation that fulfills consumer demand for high definition releases that otherwise would not be available in physical formats. We’re excited to have the opportunity to further expand the Warner Archive Collection into the Blu-ray marketplace with an impressive slate of releases.”
WAC reports that the Blu-ray discs will be replicated in limited quantities and fulfilled on demand. All releases will leverage high quality 1080p masters. In many instances, as with Deathtrap, the films will be available for the first time for home viewing in their original widescreen format.
Starting as a modest initiative, WAC has quickly grown to become a new business model for the studio and a recognized industry leader. Since launching in March 2009, WAC has released more than 1,500 films, short subjects, TV movies and mini-series that otherwise would not have been available, providing a valuable service to film lovers everywhere.
Now, WAC’s entry into the Blu-ray market is the latest example of its fast growth and increasing popularity with consumers who have embraced the technology as the standard for the highest quality home movie viewing on disc. This year, domestic sales of catalog titles on Blu-ray grew 22% in the third quarter from a year earlier. In fact, Blu-ray sales have shown impressive gains every quarter in 2012, continuing the trend set in 2011 over 2010 when sales were up 20%.[1]
In making the Blu-ray announcement, WBDD President Thomas Gewecke said, “This is an important innovation that fulfills consumer demand for high definition releases that otherwise would not be available in physical formats. We’re excited to have the opportunity to further expand the Warner Archive Collection into the Blu-ray marketplace with an impressive slate of releases.”
11-15-12 | 10:31 AM
#4
Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
My understanding of this press release is that these will be real pressed BDs and not BD-Rs. Am I crazy? If so, then it sounds like they are simply adopting the Twilight Time model, only without the limited quantities. Also, since they don't have to license the material, the prices are a bit lower.
I think the writing is on the wall for physical media and the glory days of loaded special edition DVDs for
I think the writing is on the wall for physical media and the glory days of loaded special edition DVDs for
11-15-12 | 11:37 AM
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Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
I called this a long time ago. The only question was when. But I think there are some alternatives:
1. No release at all
2. Licensing to a cheapie company, which I can't imagine Warner doing with their precious catalog
3. Licensing to a Twilight Time-type company, which would be $$$.
1. No release at all
2. Licensing to a cheapie company, which I can't imagine Warner doing with their precious catalog
3. Licensing to a Twilight Time-type company, which would be $$$.
11-15-12 | 11:38 AM
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11-15-12 | 11:51 AM
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Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
Yep. As long as these are pressed I'm pretty excited about the news.
None of the four titles they mention have me particularly excited (though I would like to watch Fearless in the OAR), but I'm interested to see what shows up down the line.
None of the four titles they mention have me particularly excited (though I would like to watch Fearless in the OAR), but I'm interested to see what shows up down the line.
11-15-12 | 12:09 PM
#14
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Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
I don't know if you guys know this but Warner basically has a lifetime guarantee on their discs as long as you didn't do the damage. They replaced a disc that I bought 2 years ago and just finally decided to watch.
11-15-12 | 12:12 PM
#15
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Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
I'm excited about this. If the alternative is no Blu-ray release for a movie like The Hudsucker Proxy, then this is certainly much better. It does sound similar to Twilight Time but without the limited quantities, which I think is great. And $19.95 is a much better price point than Twilight Time. Warner has so many great movies in its catalog from so many stars. It would be incredible to have some of those on Blu-ray. Would I prefer for them to get actual releases? Of course, but I will take what I can get.
11-15-12 | 12:18 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
Pressed or not, if this means I can get titles I've wanted on BD for a reasonable price then I'm excited to see what they'll offer.
11-15-12 | 12:25 PM
#17
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
Really good news if they're pressed, and hopefully some of their older releases end up on blu. Then I won't feel so bad paying their extortion rates.
11-15-12 | 01:32 PM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
I haven't seen a list, so I don't know if any of those titles are obscure enough. The known titles seem to be too high-profile to be relegated to this kind of release.
11-15-12 | 02:16 PM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
11-15-12 | 02:38 PM
#24
DVD Talk Legend
11-15-12 | 02:43 PM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Warner Archive goes Blu -- whoddathunkit?
Yeah, it's more like a standard rate, but with Warner in control of the price so stores don't heavily discount them.