I just got this email from Shout Factory after requesting information on the 6 volume set of Punky Brewster due out next month.

"The Punky Volumes that are coming out are single disc versions of
seasons one through three. It is yet to be determined weather or not we
will be able to release Punky Season 4. If Punky 4 does become an
official release we will post all of the info on our website at
www.shoutfactory.com. "

It sounds like they are having a difficult time getting the rights for Season 4. I THINK we should just keep sending emails so they know people are interested in the show.

Send an email to: info@shoutfactory.com

Or write to them at:

Shout! Factory
2042-A Armacost Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025"

I am responding to my own post, but does anyone know for certain that the problem with Season 4 is getting the rights?

I was thinking it would be a good idea to start a petition if it was someone at Shout Factory not wanting to release the last season, but I wouldn't do that if it's out of their hands and is an issue with gaining the rights.

I suspect its a rights issue. Season 4 is not owned by NBC as far as I know, as I'm pretty sure this was when the show started to air in first run syndication.

As we all know, "PUNKY BREWSTER" was originally on NBC for two seasons on Sunday nights (1984-'86). After it was pulled off the network, they wanted more episodes to be able to eventually offer the show in syndication, and approved production of two additional seasons between 1986 and '88, and those are the ones that were presented in first-run syndication. Since NBC owns the rights to the entire series, I don't why there should be a delay in releasing the final season on home video.....

:confused:

Exactly, there was a long delay between Season 2 and Season 3 because of the rights. However, I think Shout Factory could have bought Season 4 the same time they bought Season 3 because I believe they are owned by the same company.

I'm almost certain Shout bought the rights to Season 4 and 3 together as they were syndicated by the same company.

Why on earth they are re-releasing the first few seasons in single discs when you can find a load of them online anyway is beyond me! Get on with Season 4 I say!!!

Exactly. I think we need to keep emailing Shout Factory so that they know that fans want Season 4.

Write to: info@shoutfactory.com

I hope they aren't holding up the release for extras. I would rather have the last season than wait another year/several months just so they can interview a couple more cast members.

A spokesman from Shout! (B Ward) has commented on the future of Punky on dvd. This was posted in Shouts! forum...

The first season is being broken out into volumes, for those parents and fans that have no desire to purchase season sets.

There are no immediate plans for the fourth season's release, but it's constantly on our radar and we've never stopped discussing it. That's a good sign. The truth is, when we released the first two seasons, we were SLAMMED with emails and phonecalls requesting that we secure the rights to the final two seasons. Once we did, and released Season 3, we were stunned by how few sets it actually sold. This, in no way, has anything to do with our not releasing Season 4, but we're not moving it to the top of our list, as a result either.

I do believe you'll see Punky Brewster: Season 4 released sooner than later.

The full thread is here...

http://www.shoutfactory.com/community/196/thread.aspx

robby76,

Thank you SO much for passing along this information to us.

I must admit, what they are doing by breaking up the first season and reselling it by disk has to be one of the stupidest things I have EVER heard. To me, it seems like that is a complete waste of money.

This is not a show for kids that aired a year or 2 ago, this show aired 20 YEARS ago, and I am almost positive that most people who are parents (in their 20s and 30s know exactly what this show is. Most of the people who were fans of this show have money to afford it themselves. Why would any kid nowadays (unless shown the show by their parents) would even know what it is?

It amazes me that Shout! Factory paid the money it takes to package each disk separately and expects to make the money back. I went to Amazon.com and the disks are not even available on there.

I think Shout should have changed the outside packaging of PB. Even someone in their 20's or 30's that may have the first two seasons at home and walk by the third in the store, most people wouldn't even get close enough to see it's a third season.

Also, the reply from someone at Shout Factory was really intereting. He stated that they were flooded with phone calls and emails to "get the rights to final two seasons." Then he adds "when we did..." which tells us that Shout DOES have the rights for Season 4.

I say it's petition time! :)

I think Shout should have changed the outside packaging of PB. Even someone in their 20's or 30's that may have the first two seasons at home and walk by the third in the store, most people wouldn't even get close enough to see it's a third season.

Totally agree... the casual buyer on the street (who would make up the biggest percentage of total sales) would not even realise from a glance on the shelf that season 3 was released. It looks too much like the orangey colour of season 2. I did mention the artwork on the Shout! forum (I'm there as meister).

Some tv dvd collectors also appreciate the packaging artwork as collection pieces. To have 3 dvds looking exactly the same isn't exactly going to stir anyone into starting up a Punky collection - just the diehard fans.

I also feel a few cast interviews would have boosted sales. What about people like Casey Ellison? And Soleil herself? A gag reel? Heck even some more stickers would have been good! :lol:

haha yes! I like the idea of more stickers. :)

I think Shout Factory has the rights to just so many pictures from the show, which I guess is why the cover hasn't been different. I still don't get why they didn't used the pics inside on season 2 & 3 if they did have rights to them. But, oh well.

I found this page with the pictures of all three seasons covers:

http://www.shoutfactory.com/browse/72/punky_brewster.aspx

Yes, the second season and third look way too much alike. I think they should have gone with a purple or light yellow. Heck, even black would have worked for me. hahaha

Also, I think the delay in releasing the third season didn't help.