Today's High-Def Headlines

Blu-ray Earns High Marks From Consumers - THR
A new industry-commissioned study shows bright prospects for such high-definition media as HDTV and Blu-ray Discs, based on respondents' familiarity with and preference for the products. The SmithGeiger survey of 1,600 HDTV owners in the U.S., U.K. and Japan was commissioned by the home entertainment trade organization Digital Entertainment Group. Its results were summarized for analysts and press at a briefing Friday in Century City. Respondents were asked to assess their overall satisfaction with HDTV, related programming services and Blu-ray, a next-generation home-entertainment format promoted by DEG.

Circuit's Prospects Seen As Mixed - TWICE
Industry observers are forecasting several scenarios for a post-Chapter 11 Circuit City, and none of them are good. Projections range from a radical downsizing to a complete liquidation of the ailing chain. The rosiest projection, by Banc of America Securities' David Strasser, envisions a vastly smaller multiregional Circuit City with 200 to 300 stores at best. In a research note, Strasser said he expects the company will look to close "significantlymore" than the previously announced 155 stores and that it will be able to "more aggressively market parts of the business to a variety of buyers" once it enters bankruptcy.

Pioneer CEO Kawabata Looks Upscale - TWICE
Despite the economic gloom, Masao Kawabata, chairman/CEO of Pioneer North America, believes his company’s strategy of moving its brand and products upscale will work during these tough economic times. In this exclusive interview with TWICE, his first since becoming chairman/CEO here in the U.S., Kawabata addressed issues concerning the Kuro brand, Pioneer’s partnership with Sharp, the HDTV market, its leadership in car electronics as well as the economic downturn and recent changes at retail.