Sony absorbed Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Home Entertainment division, dismissed most of its staff, and took over the home video and television distribution of the film catalog in the domestic market. In April 2004, MGM entered into negotiations with a consortium led by Sony Corporation of America to buy out the company. During the transition, Sony, the only consortium partner with film industry experience, took over the management of the company, but 'diverse agendas clouded the picture,' reported Goldsmith and LaPorte. Sony wanted MGM's library to help its Blu-ray technology win the high-definition format war, which was being waged with the rival HD DVD group led by Toshiba and NEC. L. Sloan had wanted tentpoles and franchises and hired Mary Parent as chairwoman of the new MGM Motion Picture Group in March 2008. MGM renewed its agreement with Fox Home Entertainment to distribute its DVDs worldwide through 2016.