Panasonic marketing executives have confirmed to TWICE that the electronics maker will be the exclusive launch partner of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment for the 3D Blu-ray Disc release of
Avatar in "early December." Thus, the 3D BD of James Cameron's sci-fi epic will only be available to buyers of a Panasonic 3D Viera plasma TV.
Exact details and conditions of this promotional offer are still to be announced. It is not known whether buyers of Panasonic Blu-ray players or home theater systems would be eligible for an
Avatar 3D Blu-ray.
The duration of this exclusivity arrangement has not been specified either, but
The Digital Bits ventures that it could be "as long as a year or more."
Victor Carlson, Panasonic's consumer marketing VP, said that Panasonic is working on a plan to make the
Avatar 3D Blu-ray Disc available to customers who have already purchased a Panasonic 3D Viera TV, in order to "do the right thing" for its early-adopter customers. However, details on this initiative are still being worked out as well.
"For the consumer, there is really no better way to experience 3D in the home than with this particular disc," said Carlson. "This is the perfect marriage between this blockbuster made for 3D and what we think is the ultimate home entertainment system for enjoying 3D using our TV sets."
Carlson said that this bundle would provide consumers who are on the fence "a really great incentive to make the purchase while giving them a fantastic piece of content to watch on the television set." However, in his opinion what makes a difference in a potential buyer is "the entire package of what the Panasonic plasma has for the consumer."