Paramount Goes Blu

The last domino of the format war has fallen: Paramount has officially announced it will align with Blu-ray and begin releasing titles on the format.

"We are pleased that the industry is moving to a single high-definition format, as we believe it is in the best interest of the consumer," the studio said via a statement issued Wednesday to The Hollywood Reporter.

"As we look to (begin) releasing our titles on Blu-ray, we will monitor consumer adoption and determine our release plans accordingly."

The studio did not issue any further details regarding a timeframe for the transition, nor any specific title announcements.

Also absent in Paramount's statement was any mention of subsidiary DreamWorks, although it is widely expected that the company (including DreamWorks Animation) will follow its corporate parent and begin releasing titles on Blu-ray.

Paramount's statement follows two days of silence by the studio, after primary HD DVD-backer Toshiba's announcement early Tuesday that it would drop its support of the format. Only hours later, Universal Studios confirmed a move to Blu-ray, leaving Paramount as the sole HD DVD-exclusive studio yet to declare its future plans.

We'll have more on this breaking story as it comes to us.

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