Netflix Drops HD-DVD, Shocks Few

In what was only a matter of time, Netflix has finally kicked HD-DVD to the curb. Netflix, the mega online-DVD rental site, released a press release saying that they will now only carry high definition DVDs in Blu-ray. Netflix’s major reason for phasing out the HD-DVD format is due to the “decision by four of the six major movie studios to publish high-def DVD titles only in the Sony-developed Blu-ray format.” Another reason may be that while some subscribers do rent high-def DVDs, “a majority of those subscribers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD.” While they will buy no more new HD-DVDs, they will rent the current inventory until the “discs’ natural life cycle takes them out of circulation in the coming months.”

I guess this makes sense in that the market definitely seems to be shifting the Blu-ray only, but as long as there are HD-DVD movies being released, I don’t see why Netflix couldn’t have just kept the format rolling, just maybe push Blu-ray a little more. Many customers are outraged that they are doing this and are canceling their subscriptions, but Netflix doesn’t seem to be taking too much of a notice. So are you going to cancel your Netflix subscription since the drop of HD-DVD?

[Netflix PR]

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