It can be recalled that around January last year, it was suggested by Microsoft's Peter Moore that the company might be willing to adapt to consumer needs. He hinted that the Blu-ray drive might be a possibility. Well, back then he was "overridden" by Microsoft. The company noted in a statement:

Microsoft firmly stands behind the HD-DVD format as the best choice for our consumers. As we've said before, we're confident that HD-DVD will bring the excitement of high definition movies to the consumer faster and at a greater value.

Well, Moore was overridden a year ago, and in light of Niel Thompson's comments last March and Peter Moore's "Xbox 360 flexibility" comments at CES in January of this year, it seems that Blu-ray support is again, getting the boot.  Microsoft notes in it's Gamerscore marketing blog:

We firmly stand behind the HD DVD format as the best choice for consumers. Current reports indicating that Microsoft has a back-up plan, which includes Blu-ray support are incorrect.  We’re fully committed to HD DVD and have absolutely no plans to support other optical formats.

Perhaps Microsoft should handle this PR problem at the root, and perhaps they should talk to their execs and tell people like Xbox UK Boss Neil Thompson to refrain from saying things like "Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution."

That way the HD DVD Gods (the ones that hate that bloody hex-code) won't get angry at them.