http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=637

It's been a little over a year since Universal publicized (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=204) their "TV-to-DVD initiative", where they mentioned plans for several shows (eight of 'em) to come to DVD during 2003. Unfortunately, only a single series mentioned at the time has actually been formally announced...Universal publicized (Battlestar Galactica. The rest have not been heard of since, and no explanation was given by the studio.

One of those shows was the original Jack Webb version of Dragnet. While we still haven't gotten the facts about the whereabouts of that release yet, Universal has at least put out an A.P.B. for the new 2003 Dick Wolf version of the show, starring Ed O'Neill.

http://tvshowsondvd.com/graphics/news/Dragnet_menu.jpg

Hitting November 11th, this 3-DVD set will list for $39.98. It will be presented in Full Frame (1.33:1) aspect ratio, with English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and Spanish Dolby Surround. French and Spanish subtitles will be provided. The running time is 493 minutes, which certainly sounds like enough to cover all 12 episodes. More about Dragnet (2003): Season One just as soon we track it down.

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=731

Dragnet - Season 1 (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releaseinfo.cfm?ReleaseID=3099) had previously been set up to hit the shelves on Nov. 11th, but just a month shy of those plans something has changed. This is the information that Universal circulated today about that:

Dragnet (2003): Season One has been removed from the schedule

The effective date of this notice is tomorrow, Oct. 10th. If Universal releases any further information at that time, we'll be sure to update you. Rather than completely remove the release listing from our site right away, we are marking it "TBD" (To Be Determined) on the release date, in the event that it becomes a mere postponement.

Since yesterday's news (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3581245) about the definitive merger with the Peacock Network to become NBC Universal, there's been lots of speculation in the DVD community as to how this union will affect their DVD output. While we don't have the answers (just lots of speculation), it would not be surprising to see a revamp of some (or more than some) aspects of Universal Home Video's release schedule - especially on the TV-on-DVD side (perhaps some things added, some things taken away, some things rearranged as to when they happen). This may in fact be the first sign of things to come. We'll have to wait and see...stay tuned.