Sony Pictures has announced pricing for its Gen-Next Blu-ray discs, that is indicative of a 20 percent increase over current prices with respect to new DVDs.

The company has announced that it will charge retail outlets a wholesale price of $23.45 per disc for premium/new titles including "Underworld: Evolution" etc; and $17.95 for catalogue titles such as "Hitch," "The Fifth Element" and "Species". Apparently the $23.45 price represents a 15-20 percent increase over current new-release DVDs.

Analysts express the view that while price hikes are common whilst introducing new standards, Sony's listed wholesale prices for Blu-ray are lower than expected. At a time when Blu-ray has its horns locked with rival HD DVD, analysts see the new pricing as an aggressive move by Sony to help Blu-ray win brownie points over HD DVD.

Camp HD DVD is yet to announce their pricing policy.