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HD DVD NEWS TAGGED "BBC"

BBC to Continue Dual-Format Support

Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Industry Trends, BBC, Warner (all tags)

Warner's switch to Blu-ray exclusivity will not sway its distribution partner BBC Home Video from its dual-format stance.

That's word from from a company spokesperson, who late yesterday told TVShowsonDVD.com that the BBC will continue its format-agnostic strategy for the time being, and that they "will evaluate the marketplace before committing to one format."

The company cited the stellar sales of its 'Planet Earth' box set (whose HD DVD version has outsold the Blu-ray) as added reasoning behind the decision, as well as an upcoming line-up of multiple (but as yet unannounced) high-def titles it has planned for both formats in 2008.

The BBC's decision to stay put come in the wake of moves made last week by Warner subsidiaries New Line and HBO to shift to Blu-ray exclusivity. The BBC is now the only Warner-distributed company to remain format neutral.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Studios Distributing Through Warner to Make Up Their Own High-Def Minds [TV Shows on DVD]

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (Blu-ray)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
HBO Confirms Switch to Blu-ray Exclusivity (Jan 09, 2008)
New Line Details Transition to Blu-ray (Jan 08, 2008)

'Planet Earth' Goes All-American in New HD DVD, Blu-ray Release

Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 11:58 AM ET
Tags: Discovery Channel, BBC, Disc Announcements (all tags)

Can't get enough 'Planet Earth' on High-Def? Now there's a new edition of the groundbreaking series bound for Blu-ray and HD DVD.

The series first hit both next-gen formats back in April from the BBC, featuring the original narration by legendary nature documentarian David Attenborough. That edition went on to break High-Def sales records, generating more revenue than any other HD DVD/Blu-ray release to date.

Now a second version of 'Planet Earth' is hitting both HD DVD and Blu-ray -- the version that was presented in the series' US television run, which replaced Attenborough's narration with the decidedly less British actress/conservationist Sigourney Weaver.

This new version is being released by The Discovery Channel (which aired 'Planet Earth' in the US), although it would seem that the cable network's distribution rights to the series are limited to direct sales.

As such, the channel recently listed three separate box set editions of its version of the series at Discovery Channel Store. While the standard DVD version ($69.95) is already available, the next gen editions ($99.95 each) show an an estimated ship date of July 30, 2007.

The Discovery Channel has also been advertising a separate website (pedvd.com) that's selling the first three episodes of 'Planet Earth' on a single disc at $14.95 on both next-gen formats. It wasn't immediately clear whether additional episodes will be available as standalone discs at some point in the future.

There's no word yet on specs or supplemental features for newly configured next-gen editions of the series. Here's hoping that the various featurettes and the bonus doc that were unceremoniously dropped from the BBC high-def editions get their due this time around. (Discovery has included them in its companion standard-def edition, but they appeared on the standard-def BBC edition as well, so that's no great indicator.)

We've added new listings for 'Planet Earth (US Version)' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our HD DVD Release Schedule under July 31.

We've also set up dedicated threads for this latest version of the disc in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Planet Earth (US Version)' Blu-ray release or the 'Planet Earth (US Version)' HD DVD release.

(Thanks to Peter S. for the tip!)

Related links:
'Planet Earth (US Version)' Box Set [Discovery Store Online]
'Planet Earth (US Version)' First Disc Promo [pedvd.com]

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (Blu-ray)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (HD DVD)
Planet Earth (US Version) (Blu-ray)
Planet Earth (US Version) (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Planet Earth' Generates Record HD DVD, Blu-ray Sales Revenue (Jun 07, 2007)

BBC Sets October Debut for 'Galapagos' on HD DVD, Blu-ray

Tue Jul 03, 2007 at 07:55 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BBC (all tags)

BBC Video has officially announced that it will bring the documentary 'Galapagos' to Blu-ray and HD DVD this fall.

Arriving in stores on October 2, 'Galapagos' blends spectacular cinematography (shot entirely in high-definition) and never-before-seen satellite imagery to explore the Galapagos Islands, one of our planet's fascinating microcosms of life and landscapes.

'Galapagos' marks BBC's first high-def documentary release since 'Planet Earth,' which it released earlier this year on Blu-ray and HD DVD to unprecedented sales success. 'Planet Earth' has rapidly become not only both the best-selling documentary and box set title on both next-gen formats, but also the top revenue-generating high-def disc release to date.

No technical specs nor supplemental details have yet been released, but we'll keep you posted.

BBC has set a $28.99 list price for the next-gen versions of 'Galapagos.'

We've added new listings for the title to both our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our HD DVD Release Schedule under October 2, where it joins 'A Room with a View,' which BBC announced for high-def release just yesterday.

We've also set up dedicated threads for BBC's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Galapagos' Blu-ray release and the 'Galapagos' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Galapagos (Blu-ray)
Galapagos (HD DVD)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (Blu-ray)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (HD DVD)
A Room with a View (Blu-ray)
A Room with a View (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Planet Earth' Generates Record HD DVD, Blu-ray Sales Revenue (Jun 07, 2007)
BBC Readies 'Room with a View' for Blu-ray, HD DVD (Jul 02, 2007)

BBC Readies 'Room with a View' for Blu-ray, HD DVD

Mon Jul 02, 2007 at 10:22 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BBC (all tags)

BBC Video has announced it will bring the acclaimed modern classic 'A Room with a View' to Blu-ray and HD DVD this fall.

Arriving in stores on October 2, 'Room with a View' was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture (and eventually took home three, including Best Adapted Screenplay). It also marked the first production from the famed Merchant-Ivory team to achieve major success in the United States.

Though BBC has not yet announced technical specs, the release will come come to high-def bearing the "Special Edition" banner, and is scheduled to include an audio commentary with the filmmakers, three retrospective featurettes and a still gallery.

List price has been set at $29.95 for either version.

'Room with a View' marks BBC's first high-def release following the extraordinary success of 'Planet Earth' earlier this year. Defying all expectations, 'Planet Earth' has rapidly become not only both the best-selling documentary and box set title on both next-gen formats, but also the top revenue-generating high-def disc release to date.

We've added the latest specs for 'Room with a View' to our preview pages for both releases, which you'll find linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and ourHD DVD Release Schedule, under October 2. Watch for final tech details in the coming days.

We've also set up dedicated threads for BBC's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'A Room with a View' Blu-ray release and the 'A Room with a View' HD DVD release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
A Room with a View (Blu-ray)
A Room with a View (HD DVD)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (Blu-ray)
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series (HD DVD)

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
BBC Video Plans 'Galapagos' and ' Room with a View' for Blu-ray, HD DVD (Jun 08, 2007)
'Planet Earth' Generates Record HD DVD, Blu-ray Sales Revenue (Jun 07, 2007)

BBC Video Plans 'Galapagos' and ' Room with a View' for Blu-ray, HD DVD

Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 09:30 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BBC (all tags)

Following the extraordinary success of 'Planet Earth,' BBC Video is apparently planning to bring its next two high-def releases, 'Galapagos' and 'A Room with a View' to Blu-ray and HD DVD this fall.

Defying all projections, 'Planet Earth' has rapidly become not only both the best-selling documentary and box set title on both next-gen formats, but also the top revenue-generating high-def disc release to date.

While future BBC Video releases are not likely to scale to such sales heights, the company (distributed through Warner Home Video) is certainly off to a great start. And now wisely, as part of the press coverage surrounding the unprecedented success of 'Planet Earth,' the distributor is taking the opportunity to preview their next two next-gen titles.

Though no dates have been set nor any tech specs revealed, according to an article in yesterday's Hollywood Reporter, BBC Video's next high-def releases this fall will be another award-winning documentary, 'Galapagos,' as well as the highly-acclaimed, Oscar-decorated 'A Room with a View.'

Given the high-quality of 'Planet Earth,' we're certainly excited to see what BBC Video has in store next for early adopters. We'll keep you posted as soon as more details on both releases are officially announced.

In the meantime, we've added listings for both 'Galapagos' and 'A Room with a View' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule under "release dates pending."

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
'Planet Earth' High-Def Sales Better Than the Rest [Hollywood Reporter]

Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Planet Earth' Generates Record HD DVD, Blu-ray Sales Revenue (Jun 07, 2007)

BBC Jumps Into Blu-ray, HD DVD With 'Planet Earth'

Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 04:17 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, BBC (all tags)

In a low-key, post-CES announcement, BBC Video has thrown their hat into the next-gen derby, bringing their landmark documentary 'Planet Earth' to Blu-ray and HD DVD this April.

With a budget of over $25 million and five years in production, the acclaimed British documentary is scheduled to make its domestic broadcast debut on The Discovery Channel in late March.

BBC Video (through parent distributor Warner Home Video) will follow that up with the release of 'Planet Earth: The Complete Collection,' a four-disc set due to hit DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD simultaneously on April 24.

There are no technical specs nor supplemental details available yet, but given the documentary's high production values, we expect some truly great high-resolution picture and sound.

BBC has set the list price for 'The Complete Collection' at a somewhat steep $99.98 on both formats.

Stay tuned for further specs to come, and we welcome BBC to the next-gen sweepstakes. We've added preliminary listings for both versions to our HD DVD Release Schedule and Blu-ray Release Schedule under April 24.