Mumbai: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) will be the first Hollywood studio to distribute high-definition Blu-ray Disc in the Chinese market. The announcement was made by SPHE senior vice president, international T Paul Miller and Excel Media (Shanghai) general manager Kenny Ling, SPHE’s local distribution partner.
 
"We’re thrilled to be the first to offer the high-quality HD product that discerning Chinese customers demand and deserve," said Miller.

An initial slate of 30 Blu-ray Disc titles will coincide with Sony Electronics’ introduction of the popular BDP-S350 model Blu-ray player to the Chinese market on 21 November 2008, and will include both new releases and popular favorites.

Ling commented, "We are very happy to be the first video distributor releasing legitimate Blu-ray Disc in China. We believe that transforming the home entertainment experience to high definition is an essential trend. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment plays a big role in this video format transformation and Excel Media will continue to release more high quality legitimate Blu-ray Disc available to consumers in China."

Titles available at launch include Hancock, Kung Fu Hustle, Open Season, the Spider-Man trilogy, xXx, S.W.A.T., Vertical Limit, Men in Black, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Water Horse, Peter Pan, Erin Brockovich, In The Line of Fire, Tears of the Sun, The Patriot, Into the Blue, Hitch, Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, Are We Done Yet?, The Pursuit of Happyness, Mirror Mask, RV, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Rundown, 50 First Dates, and Big Fish.

Consumers will be able to purchase many of these titles at participating retailers including Sony Style and Joyo.com, for around 205 RMB.

Initial shipments will be manufactured and imported from outside China, with plans to begin local production of Blu-ray Discs within the year.