HD VOD Fires a Shot
December 5, 2007

Maybe the format war won't be decided by either Blu-ray or HD DVD dominance. Consumers could wind up just watching high-def movies through expanding VOD services. By the end of 2008, Verizon FiOS TV markets will have access to 1,000 high-def titles, including recent blockbusters like Transformers and Surf's Up.
Through third quarter, Verizon counted 717,000 customers to its fiber-optic VOD network, spanning 12 states. That might not represent huge competition for physical media backers. But hey, that Verizon VOD market is nearing the size of the HD DVD install base to date.
Also, this Verizon deal feels fresher than those struck in the past. Previously, many pacts between studio suppliers and the more popular VOD-type services, like Xbox Live, have either involved either catalog movies or direct-to-DVD. For example, back in March, Paramount offered up past comic hit South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut and Warner rolled out made-for-DVD horror film Sublime to the Xbox Live network. It seems that the studios have been keeping their elite theatrical titles for mostly physical bows on standard definition and high-def. 
Only time will tell though if people really access Verizon's FiOS service as their primary high-def content source.  VOD has been around for years, and still DVD is the overwhelming consumer preference. But with format war-mongering potentially alienating customers...some might just say to hell with it and pick VOD.
Verizon is striking a competitive stance.
As the company's VP Shawn Strickland puts it, "Whether they're buying their first HDTV or their fourth this holiday season, HD customers always want more HD programming. We're delivering HD on demand with the same amazing picture quality that customers expect from FiOS TV, and with the promise of more HD programming in 2008."

Posted by Susanne Ault on December 5, 2007 | Comments (0)