In a further blow to Toshiba's Microsoft-backed HD-DVD format, giant Warner Bros. have this weekend revealed on the eve of CES that they are to halt production of films on the format by May; as part of a deal with covering exclusivity.

According to reports from Las Vegas, the HD-DVD promotion group have now cancelled their pre-CES press briefing, opting to regroup in the light of this sizable blow.

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," Warner chief Barry Meyer explained. "We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers."

Blu-ray appears to be winning the format war in both and North America, though the issue remains a divisive one, Paramount and DreamWorks having sided with HD-DVD exclusively.

"Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognising this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience," added Warner Bros. Entertainment president Kevin Tsujihara. "Warner Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting high definition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We look forward to working with them on other projects in the future."

By Luke Guttridge

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