DreamWorks Animation: Still HD DVD Exclusive (For Now)

Still contractually locked into HD DVD exclusivity, DreamWorks Animation says it's up to Toshiba to decide when the company can begin releasing discs on Blu-ray.

That's according to DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, who acknowledged in an interview with Reuters Tuesday that his company was "well-compensated" for its HD DVD exclusivity, and that it was awaiting word from Toshiba on how to proceed.

"It really is in their court at this point to really declare what the next step will be," explained Katzenberg. "We're poised either way to jump into the marketplace when the conditions are right to do so."

Though DreamWorks Animation is an independently owned company, Paramount Pictures (corporate parent of sister studio DreamWorks SKG) announced its own intention to return to Blu-ray last Thursday. At press time it wasn't clear how (or if) the HD DVD exclusivity terms for the two companies were different.

'Bee Movie' is the only upcoming DreamWorks Animation title currently on the HD DVD schedule. Katzenberg told Reuters he was waiting to hear back from Toshiba on how to proceed with that title.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)

Bee Movie (Blu-ray)