BREAKING NEWS: It just crossed the wires that Warner will be exclusively releasing titles on Blu-ray going forward, a huge blow to the rival HD-DVD camp! To date, Warner was the only major studio electing to release titles in both HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats.

Late last year, HD-DVD appeared to be losing the format battle but shored up the competition by signing Paramount to an exclusive deal with HD-DVD, after which the consensus was that the format war was back to a stalemate. But, for whatever reason, possibly because of the inclusion of a Blu-ray player in the PS3 video game console, Blu-ray titles have been significantly out-selling HD-DVDs by a margin that has averaged 60% or higher for Blu-Ray (to HD-DVD’s 40% or lower market share). Considered together with today’s startling announcement, it’s safe to assume that the stalemate is off, and Blu-ray is on track to win the format war once again.

As recently as December 13th, rumors swirled that Warner would make the switch, and Warner exec. Jim Noonan denied it (click here to read that story). But today it’s official.

Wow. Wouldn’t it be nice if this format war would come to an end….

I have copied the official press release below:

(January 4, 2008 – Burbank, CA) – In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros. Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group.

“Warner Bros.’ move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want,” said Meyer. “The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. 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.”

Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format and Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May 2008.

“Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware prices,” said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. “Today’s decision by Warner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner.”

“A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry,” said Tsujihara. “Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. 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.”