Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"HBO has plans to launch a streaming service of thier own called HBO Go in the next six months. A Netflix spokesperson expressed their desire to work with HBO saying, "Compete with us or collaborate with us, but we would much rather work with them.” It seems HBO feels they can adequately compete with Netflix, having already secured content deals for their online service with Comcast and Verizon."

Gutsy, sure. Smart, not so much. I see HBO's point that their content is viewed as being exclusive, so putting it on Netflix makes it seem less such, but exclusive also means limiting your market. Netflix has tons of content, so tons of eyeballs. Plus Netflix is widely available on devices that easily hook up to consumers televisions and will be making the push to mobile devices. At best, I think any independent offering from HBO will remain a niche product at best.

The past week sure has been interesting. Before CES even opened, Warner Home Video fired a shot across the bow of HD DVD by declaring that they would be going Blu-Ray Exclusive in mid-2008. New Line Cinema followed suit shortly thereafter, along with HBO. Even adult film studio Digital Playground went Blu this week. Meanwhile some are saying that Universal's HD DVD exclusivity contract has expired, and they may be soon going Blu-Ray exclusive, which they have categorically denied. Further speculation says that Paramount may be looking to use an out-clause to leave HD DVD for Blu-Ray as well, which they have also denied. CEOs from the major big box retailers see the format coming to an end soon, but still plan to support and sell both formats for the near future.

So where does this leave us, the consumers? Well, no better off really. The stalemate continues. Two major studios are still supporting HD DVD, as well as countless porn studios (for whatever that's worth). Michael Bay is still shooting his mouth off about things he doesn't understand. Ironically enough, BOTH formats are still losing to Xbox Live Video Marketplace, which this week signed ABC and MGM to its roster of over 35 studios and networks. This already includes Disney and Warner, which are Blu-Ray exclusive. So either way, HD DVD or Blu-Ray, Microsoft still wins. Me, I'm hoping HD DVD pulls out the win in the end. Lowest cost, most stable spec, and just as good technically as Blu-Ray. Though even I gotta admit, that's looking less and less likely. What do you think?