Disney exec calls HD DVD 'easy money'

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger says he's disappointed by some studios' recent decision to back the HD DVD format and accused them of taking 'easy money' for their decision.

Iger, who made the comments on Tuesday when he spoke to investors at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference, did not name the studios to which he was referring.

Disney backs Sony's Blu-ray format, which had appeared to be pulling ahead of Toshiba's HD DVD in the format war before Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG signed exclusivity deals in August to distribute next-generation films on HD DVD for the next 18 months.

"We believe it's a no-brainer... that the industry should be behind Blu-ray," Iger said, noting that a decision by certain 'entities' was disappointing.

"I think those studios were likely taking easy money. We haven't taken any money because we believe it," he said.

Viacom's Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation were not available for comment.

Shortly after the two studios announced their decision to back HD DVD, The New York Times reported that Viacom executives with knowledge of the deals said both Paramount and DreamWorks would receive about $150m (£75m) in financial incentives for their commitment to HD DVD.

The Blu-ray vs HD DVD war is reminiscent of the battle 30 years ago between the VHS and Betamax formats for home video recording. At stake is what is expected to be a multibillion-dollar industry.

Disney has sent a traveling road show to the top eight US shopping malls to promote Blu-ray players to those looking to upgrade.