The console wars are an interesting thing isn't it? In the end it's supposed to be all about the consumers---right? Well...maybe in the end it's truly about the money than which format offers the best high definition for the eyes.

Paramount, part of Viacom, and subsidiary DreamWorks Animation surprisingly shocked many people by saying they would exclusively back the HD-DVD format for the release of high-definition movies on disc. Among the movies the studios plan to release in the HD-DVD only format are “Transformers” and “Shrek the Third.”

But why the sudden change? Until now, Paramount has only released titles exclusively on Blu-ray. Blu-ray titles are severely outselling HD-DVD by 2:1, major retailers are stocking only Blu-ray players, and Blockbuster said a while back it would carry Blu-ray exclusively.

So, the world still turned....but wondered. "What the fu....Paramount why the change of heart?"

They respond:

"Because we love HD-DVD, and even though Blu-ray is outpacing HD-DVD at an extraordinary rate...our research tells us HD-DVD is better and will sell more. " (Not actual verbatim)

OR....translation:

"Paramount and DreamWorks Animation together will receive about $150 million in financial incentives for our commitment to HD-DVD" (Not actual verbatim)

That's more like it Paramount! I'm sure that in the oncoming months, as the Blu-ray sales ratio increases 6:1, the research might say something else real soon.

Source: NY Times