Netflix to Carry HD DVD Titles in March

Rent-by-mail firm Netflix has announced it plans to carry HD DVD titles as soon as they launch this March.

Video-rental firm Netflix announced today that it plans to begin carrying titles in the HD DVD next-generation DVD format as soon as they become available in March, 2006. “For those subscribers who have an immediate interest in renting movies in high-def, we’re committed to making the full range of titles available at Netflix the moment they’re introduced,” said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.

Toshiba is expected to have consumers HD DVD players to market beginning in March, and Warner Home Video, Universal, and Paramount have all committed to introducing titles in HD DVD format in the March timeframe.

Netflix also announced it plans to offer titles in the competing Blu-Ray DVD format when they become available later in 2006.

Netflix noted that initial adoption of the new format may be slow