Warner Bros. announces support for Blu-Ray

Warner Bros. Entertainment has become the second Hollywood studio to announce support for both the Blu-Ray and HD DVD next-generation DVD formats.

WB officially joined the Blu-Ray Disc Association - led by Sony - last week, has since confirmed that its films will be released on both formats. Until recently, the studios' support was evenly split - but Paramount Pictures made a similar announcement earlier this month, leaving NBC Universal as the only studio which is solely supporting HD DVD.

So far, early Blu-Ray adopters remain committed to the format - neither Disney, Fox nor MGM have announced any intention to release movies on HD DVD.

The move arguably marks another victory for Sony in the next-gen DVD battle, but a statement from Toshiba said Warner Bros.' decision merely illustrated "The studio's understandable commitment to listen to a broad array of opinions and to continue to make technical evaluations of each format."

"We are more than confident this will not affect timely introduction of HD DVD content to the market," the statement concluded.

Warner Bros.' actions were welcomed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment president Bob Chapek, who told the Associated Press: "The continued dramatic momentum toward Blu-Ray makes us more optimistic than ever that a format war can be avoided."

Also speaking to AP, Warner Home Video's Marsha King said: "We are going to put our product on for consumers on both formats."

"The market will decide if the functionality, if the price, if the consumer offering is what they want."