Target to Push Blu-ray Over HD DVD

Sony has scored another win in the war for high-definition dominance, signing a deal with Target to promote Blu-ray players and movies exclusively in its retail stores. Sony is paying a fee to have Blu-ray featured in end-of-aisle displays, and Target will not carry the $179 HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360.

Target will continue to offer HD DVD products on its Web site, and did not specify why it had selected Blu-ray only for its brick-and-mortar locations. The HD DVD Promotional Group said the move by Target was not important, as its Toshiba players are already featured at Circuit City and Best Buy. It's also not clear if Target customers, who are typically not high-end shoppers, will be willing to spend $499 for Sony's Blu-ray player with HD DVD players available elsewhere for $299.