Los Angeles - Universal and Paramount (NYSE: VIA) have become the last of the major Hollywood movie studios to pledge support for Sony's (NYSE: SNE) Blu-ray next-generation DVD format, after Toshiba decided earlier this week to abandon its rival HD DVD format, ending a costly battle between the two companies to establish their respective format as the standard. "We are pleased that the industry is moving to a single high-definition format, as we believe it is in the best interest of the consumer," Paramount Home Entertainment told The Hollywood Reporter.

"As we look to (begin) releasing our titles on Blu-ray, we will monitor consumer adoption and determine our release plans accordingly."

After Tuesday's announcement from Toshiba, Amazon.com (NASD: AMZN) on Wednesday also announced that it will "more prominently promote Blu-ray hardware and software products on its website."

The company added that it will "continue to carry a wide assortment of HD DVD products, including the broadest selection of HD DVD movie titles," but did not say for how long it would continue to support the format.

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