The ABCs of Releasing DVDs

[Janice]

I wonder why it's such a big deal to release most TV shows on DVD? Fans eagerly anticipate the release of their shows, and even then, it's usually only the first Season or two. They are then released in drips and drabs.

Why is this? Are they afraid people won't watch the shows on TV if they can buy them? Is the market for the DVDs large enough? It seems to me that it's a profitable market.

For example, if I could, I would purchase all 8 Seasons of 'Wings' on DVD, but it's not available. I've read posts on the Dick Van Dyke Show board, where the fans are excited about the show finally being released...not sure what Seasons.

Other shows, like '24', are available already. I'm confused.

Anyone feeling like explaining the deal with TV shows being released for sale?

[db108108]

Not being on tv now, of course. This is a way to maximise dollars.

For a drama, it must do horribly in repeats. This is why Alias & 24 come to DVD so quickly- there's money in DVD's, but no in repeating the episode.

Everything will released on DVD eventually. But in order to avoid market choas, it won't all happen at once. If a company puts out 20 DVDs a series people want to buy all in the same year, they'll probably only buy a few. But if they space it out,...

[barwars]

I think another major factor is which company has the rights to the show.... and more importantly.... how big of a demand there is.


Like with Mary Tyler Moore.... the first season was released (and to what Ive read) and it did horrible in sales.
So, the demand obviously wasnt there, so sadly.... they stopped production on future seasons.

But now theres rumors going about that Season 2 will find its way to DVD.... and if the sales improve.... the remaining 5 seasons will hopefully come.

[barwars]

Ohh and for Dick Van Dyke Show --

Seasons 1 and 2 are already released.

And Season 3 is coming Feb 24.

With Season 4 coming in April
And Season 5 in June.

[Janice]

The Dick Van Dyke Show was a poor example for me to cite, but I read often where fans get frustrated waiting for the next season of their favorite shows to be released.

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by Janice
I wonder why it's such a big deal to release most TV shows on DVD? Fans eagerly anticipate the release of their shows, and even then, it's usually only the first Season or two. They are then released in drips and drabs.

Why is this? Are they afraid people won't watch the shows on TV if they can buy them? Is the market for the DVDs large enough? It seems to me that it's a profitable market.

For example, if I could, I would purchase all 8 Seasons of 'Wings' on DVD, but it's not available. I've read posts on the Dick Van Dyke Show board, where the fans are excited about the show finally being released...not sure what Seasons.

Other shows, like '24', are available already. I'm confused.

Anyone feeling like explaining the deal with TV shows being released for sale?



WINGS?????-LOL Janice you should not be confused about Wings not being on DVD.

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by Janice
The Dick Van Dyke Show was a poor example for me to cite, but I read often where fans get frustrated waiting for the next season of their favorite shows to be released.


I will admit the wait is annoying. Like with Good Times, it took a year for season 2 to come out on DVD.

[Janice]

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
WINGS?????-LOL Janice you should not be confused about Wings not being on DVD.
It's a good show that had a respectable run on NBC. It had to be good to last eight years.

I think if it was released on DVD, that fans of the show would buy it.

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by Janice
It's a good show that had a respectable run on NBC. It had to be good to last eight years.

I think if it was released on DVD, that fans of the show would buy it.


Married with Children always made fun of Wings in certain episodes. That's why I thought it was a bad show.

[Janice]

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Married with Children always made fun of Wings in certain episodes. That's why I thought it was a bad show.
Well, in that case, it must be a bad show then, lol.

I don't know if Wings is for you. It's a sister show of sorts to Cheers and Frasier....a lot of the same creators, producers, writers, etc.

[Adamantium]

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Married with Children always made fun of Wings in certain episodes. That's why I thought it was a bad show.

There was a joke on "Wings" where Lowell says "I mean that's why they put PBS on a channel where nobody watches it." I always think of you Solomon when I hear that line.

"Wings" has become somewhat of a joke. But if people just watched it, some would enjoy it and some wouldn't. I can't say everyone would like it, because of course not. I think "Wings" is a bit sillier than Cheers and Frasier, which may turn some people off, but they also have a bunch of emotional scenes that make it a nice balance.

And as for DVD release, I'd buy ten copies and give the rest out as gifts just to help out sales. And I'm not rich or anything, it's just something I really want.

[db108108]

I'm not a Wings person, but every tv board I go to has an absolutely RADID Wings fanbase.

Check out the number of posts for Wings on the 1900-2000's sitcoms index page. It's in the top five.

[Adamantium]

If I was in charge of releasing DVDs I'd follow the top 200 shows from the website, TVShowsondvd.com. I'd also release the seasons three months apart. I'm tired of waiting forever to get a different season of a show. Good Times Season 1 came out in Feb. 2003, season two is coming out Feb. 2004. That's way too long.

I'd eventually release them all, but I'd follow the order of, like I said, the website tvshowsondvd.com.

[Rezny@gmail.com]

Does anyone know if they are EVER going to release "Green Acres"seasons 4(especially)5 and 6.Or are seasons 1,2 and 3 (which I have)all that are going to be released?

[Ireneparalegal]

I wonder why it's such a big deal to release most TV shows on DVD? Fans eagerly anticipate the release of their shows, and even then, it's usually only the first Season or two. They are then released in drips and drabs.

Why is this? Are they afraid people won't watch the shows on TV if they can buy them? Is the market for the DVDs large enough? It seems to me that it's a profitable market.

For example, if I could, I would purchase all 8 Seasons of 'Wings' on DVD, but it's not available. I've read posts on the Dick Van Dyke Show board, where the fans are excited about the show finally being released...not sure what Seasons.

Other shows, like '24', are available already. I'm confused.

Anyone feeling like explaining the deal with TV shows being released for sale?
Amen Sister!!!! I have had this thought in my head for sometime now and you said it well.

I too wonder why shows like FRIENDS :puke: get immediate releases, box sets no less, when classic shows like Alice, The Jeffersons, White Shadow, etc. get on the back burner of the DVD mill. Hey, if you release ONE SEASON, you may as well release them all AND FAST. If you are planning the "let's wait and see" bit, then you may as well not release at all. Why bother releasing one season if it takes YEARS for another?

I am still waiting for the entire series of DALLAS to be released. :mad:

[kanisky7896]

Amen Sister!!!! I have had this thought in my head for sometime now and you said it well.

I too wonder why shows like FRIENDS :puke: get immediate releases, box sets no less, when classic shows like Alice, The Jeffersons, White Shadow, etc. get on the back burner of the DVD mill. Hey, if you release ONE SEASON, you may as well release them all AND FAST. If you are planning the "let's wait and see" bit, then you may as well not release at all. Why bother releasing one season if it takes YEARS for another?

I am still waiting for the entire series of DALLAS to be released. :mad:

My sentiments exactly!

[Robert 13]

I think a year wait is waaaay too long between seasons. Even 6 months is a bit long. I'm all for a 3-4 month wait. But, lately, it seems like many shows are past the one-year wait and still no announcement. It's very puzzling especially when there is a demand out there from tv fans. :confused:

[applecherry]

AMEN TO YOU ALSO SISTER

I'M ALSO WAITING FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON OF DALLAS
I'VE SAID THIS ONCE & I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE STUDIO'S. TESTING THE WATERS WITH THE FIRST SEASON MAYBE THE SECOND. IF THE SETS SELL WELL I THINK THEY SHOULD RELEASE 2 SEASON AT A TIME.

URBAN WORKS STUDIO'S ARE VERY SMART. THEY ARE RELEASING THE COSBY SHOW TWO SEASONS AT A TIME.

COSBY'S SHOW RELEASE
SEASON 1---------- 8/02/05
SEASON 2 ---------- 3/07/06
SEASON 3 & 4---------- 6/05/07
SEASON 5 & 6---------- 11/06/07 (DUE IN NOVEMBER)

IF WARNER BROS WERE RELEASING DALLAS 2 SEASONS @ A TIME
WE WOULD HAVE THE ENTIRE SERIES AT THIS TIME. DALLAS IS SELLING VERY VERY WELL. SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE 6 MONTHS BETWEEN EACH SEASONS

MY THING IS IF IT SELLS VERY WELL RELEASE 2 SEASON @ A TIME. DALLAS HAS 14 SEASONS. IF WARNER KEEP RELEASING SEASON SETS AT THIS PACE. DALLAS FANS WILL NOT HAVE THE ENTIRE COLLECTION UNTILL THE YEAR 2012. I'LL BE DEAD BY THEN.

[Robert 13]

URBAN WORKS STUDIO'S ARE VERY SMART. THEY ARE RELEASING THE COSBY SHOW TWO SEASONS AT A TIME.
Yeah, I like UrbanWorks' way of releasing tv shows on dvd. Some other companies (like, ummm, Sony) could take a lesson from them. If they released their shows this way, I would definitely buy 2 seasons at the same time. At the pace they are going, we aren't even seeing one season-a-year of some the shows they have started already.

[kanisky7896]

Yeah, I like UrbanWorks' way of releasing tv shows on dvd. Some other companies (like, ummm, Sony) could take a lesson from them. If they released their shows this way, I would definitely buy 2 seasons at the same time. At the pace they are going, we aren't even seeing one season-a-year of some the shows they have started already.

Could you imagine if UrbanWorks had the rights to Gimme A Break and they released the sets by two seasons at a time, like they are doing with The Cosby Show? If that were the case we could have the entire GAB series in one year! I think that Universal could also take a lesson from UrbanWorks. :)

I also agree waiting six months to a year between seasons for one show is ridiculous, especially when there are no bonus features, such as interviews, bloopers, etc., accompanying these sets. I say that if a studio is going to release a series on dvd (especially series from the 1950's through the 1980's), then the seasons should be released every two or three months. Why should we consumers have to wait so long for the following seasons of TV shows to be released?:confused:

[Rezny@gmail.com]

Does anybody know if they are going to have ANOTHER "Petticoat Junction:The Ultimate Collection",that includes the rest of the first season black and white episodes?Or are they going to release the series in sets(the complete first season,the complete second season,etc)?

[Ireneparalegal]

AMEN TO YOU ALSO SISTER

I'M ALSO WAITING FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON OF DALLAS
I'VE SAID THIS ONCE & I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE STUDIO'S. TESTING THE WATERS WITH THE FIRST SEASON MAYBE THE SECOND. IF THE SETS SELL WELL I THINK THEY SHOULD RELEASE 2 SEASON AT A TIME.

URBAN WORKS STUDIO'S ARE VERY SMART. THEY ARE RELEASING THE COSBY SHOW TWO SEASONS AT A TIME.

COSBY'S SHOW RELEASE
SEASON 1---------- 8/02/05
SEASON 2 ---------- 3/07/06
SEASON 3 & 4---------- 6/05/07
SEASON 5 & 6---------- 11/06/07 (DUE IN NOVEMBER)

IF WARNER BROS WERE RELEASING DALLAS 2 SEASONS @ A TIME
WE WOULD HAVE THE ENTIRE SERIES AT THIS TIME. DALLAS IS SELLING VERY VERY WELL. SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE 6 MONTHS BETWEEN EACH SEASONS

MY THING IS IF IT SELLS VERY WELL RELEASE 2 SEASON @ A TIME. DALLAS HAS 14 SEASONS. IF WARNER KEEP RELEASING SEASON SETS AT THIS PACE. DALLAS FANS WILL NOT HAVE THE ENTIRE COLLECTION UNTILL THE YEAR 2012. I'LL BE DEAD BY THEN.
The way things are going for DALLAS, we may get all the seasons by 2019...:crazy:

[TVFactFan]

The way things are going for DALLAS, we may get all the seasons by 2019...:crazy:


I know the Jeffersons better be complete by 2019-lol

[Robert 13]

Could you imagine if UrbanWorks had the rights to Gimme A Break and they released the sets by two seasons at a time, like they are doing with The Cosby Show? If that were the case we could have the entire GAB series in one year! I think that Universal could also take a lesson from UrbanWorks. :)

With the length of time we've been waiting for Season 3, it would be a nice surprise to get both Seasons 3 & 4 on the same release date. :)

[applecherry]

[QUOTE=Ireneparalegal]The way things are going for DALLAS, we may get all the seasons by 2019...:crazy:[/QUOT


YEAR 2019 GOD I HOPE NOT, YOU KNOW I MIGHT NOT MIND THE 6 MONTH WAIT IF THE STUIDO'S WOULD JUST RELEASE 2 SEASONS EVERY 6 MONTHS
OR 1 SEASON EVERY 3 MONTHS.
THAT WAY WE WILL GET 4 SEASONS A YEAR INSTEAD OF 2.

THE STUDIO'S SHOULD CONCIDER THAT OPTION FOR THE SERIES THAT HAS 10 OR MORE SEASONS (DALLAS). I JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WAIT FOREVER. NEITHER DOES THE FANS.

[kanisky7896]

With the length of time we've been waiting for Season 3, it would be a nice surprise to get both Seasons 3 & 4 on the same release date. :)

That would be awesome!:)

[Ireneparalegal]

[QUOTE=Ireneparalegal]The way things are going for DALLAS, we may get all the seasons by 2019...:crazy:[/QUOT


YEAR 2019 GOD I HOPE NOT, YOU KNOW I MIGHT NOT MIND THE 6 MONTH WAIT IF THE STUIDO'S WOULD JUST RELEASE 2 SEASONS EVERY 6 MONTHS
OR 1 SEASON EVERY 3 MONTHS.
THAT WAY WE WILL GET 4 SEASONS A YEAR INSTEAD OF 2.

THE STUDIO'S SHOULD CONCIDER THAT OPTION FOR THE SERIES THAT HAS 10 OR MORE SEASONS (DALLAS). I JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WAIT FOREVER. NEITHER DOES THE FANS.
You are so right. I can see the wait if the show has less than 5 seasons, but with DALLAS, we are talking MANY SEASONS here.

[Ireneparalegal]

My local channel shows the Honeymooners and the color episodes as well. I am not a fan of the show, but I can totally sympathize with those who desperately want to see their show in DVD so they can enjoy it.

[Stuck In The '70's]

[QUOTE=applecherry]
You are so right. I can see the wait if the show has less than 5 seasons, but with DALLAS, we are talking MANY SEASONS here.
We're half way through Irene. :lol: I wish they would start at least releasing 3 a year. I'm worried about the sales once we start getting into the dream season.

[applecherry]

The way things are going for DALLAS, we may get all the seasons by 2019...:crazy:
TVSHOWONDVD HAS ANNOUNCED DALLAS SEASON 8 (BOX ART) . I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 5-6 MONTHS.

THAT'S MY POINT WARNER KNOWS THAT ALL THE DALLAS SEASONS THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED SO FAR ON DVD HAS HAD GREAT SALES. AND FUTURE RELEASES WILL ALSO HAVE GREAT SALES. SO WHY NOT GO AHEAD AND RELEASE SEASON 8 & 9 TOGATHER. WHY ARE THEY SO DETERMINED TO MAKE US DALLAS FANS WAIT.

[Rezny@gmail.com]

And I wonder if Universal is EVER going to release the DVD's of the new house/Universal City Studios years of "Leave it to Beaver"(seasons 3-6)?

[Dean Winchester]

I organize everything alphabetically