From the NY Post - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jenna xox · 11-10-2004, 11:23 PM

MASTERS OF DVD DOMAIN

By MICHAEL GILTZ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Seinfeld" repeats are everywhere but fans want those bloopers — and, yeah, the salt shakers.

November 10, 2004 -- 'SEINFELD" seems ready to set new re cords for the best-selling TV show on DVD when it hits stores later this month.
"It could be the biggest seller of all time," says Scott Hettrick, the editor in chief of industry trade paper "DVD Exclusive."

Hettrick says you should bet on Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer when they hit stores on Nov. 23 with the extras-packed DVD in three different sets.

One volume includes seasons one and two; another volume includes season three; and a boxed set includes salt and pepper shakers, playing cards and a copy of a script with notes by co-creator Larry David for $119.95.

With two weeks still to go before their release, Amazon.com already lists the three packages at No. 26, No. 11 and — for the priciest combo set — No. 7.

The best-selling TV show on DVD is "Chappelle's Show: Season One Uncensored" at 2 million units.

That passed by "The Simpsons" (1.9 million units for its season one) and "Family Guy" (1.6 million units).

For the record, those numbers pale next to theatrical titles like "Shrek 2," which just sold 12.1 million units its first weekend, grossing $185 million.

But TV shows are often much pricier.

"I've been starting to hear some questions lately," admits Hettrick, about the chances of "Seinfeld" to set records.

"The way it's packaged, the way it's priced. There's a huge demand for it; it will certainly be one of the biggest ever, if not the biggest. But there have been so many surprises in the TV genre. 'Friends' was on NBC and is one of the highest rated shows ever and it didn't sell as well as 'Chappelle.' "

But "Seinfeld" has been off NBC for six years, so fans haven't been deluged with the show the way "Friends" was omnipresent when it first hit DVD.

On the other hand, it's still a major presence in reruns, reminding casual viewers how funny the show is.

And the big batch of extras make the DVD sets seem more than just a repackaging of what people can see for free on TV.

So maybe it won't reach blockbuster numbers akin to hit movies — not that there's anything wrong with that.

At $119.95 each, if the boxed set can sell just 1.5 million units, it alone will equal "Shrek 2's" first weekend sales in dollars — and that's what really matters in Hollywood.

Dave Chappelle's show has been a game-changer for Comedy Central, which re-upped him for two more seasons with a contract that could be worth up to $50 million and includes a hefty piece of the DVD action.

"Family Guy" is coming back from the dead with all new episodes at least in part because Fox wants to have more DVD sets to sell.

slackermonkey · 11-10-2004, 11:47 PM

Glad I pre-ordered my copy then.

Dutabi84 · 11-10-2004, 11:51 PM

I'm gonna have to get a side job just for the set!

slackermonkey · 11-11-2004, 12:14 AM

No joke. November isn't being kind to me, DVD wise.

I'm gonna be a homeless person with a very serious DVD collection by the end of the month.

11-10-2004, 11:23 PM	#1
Jenna xox Drinks on me! Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 26, 2004 Location: on the runway! Posts: 69	From the NY Post MASTERS OF DVD DOMAIN By MICHAEL GILTZ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Seinfeld" repeats are everywhere but fans want those bloopers — and, yeah, the salt shakers. November 10, 2004 -- 'SEINFELD" seems ready to set new re cords for the best-selling TV show on DVD when it hits stores later this month. "It could be the biggest seller of all time," says Scott Hettrick, the editor in chief of industry trade paper "DVD Exclusive." Hettrick says you should bet on Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer when they hit stores on Nov. 23 with the extras-packed DVD in three different sets. One volume includes seasons one and two; another volume includes season three; and a boxed set includes salt and pepper shakers, playing cards and a copy of a script with notes by co-creator Larry David for $119.95. With two weeks still to go before their release, Amazon.com already lists the three packages at No. 26, No. 11 and — for the priciest combo set — No. 7. The best-selling TV show on DVD is "Chappelle's Show: Season One Uncensored" at 2 million units. That passed by "The Simpsons" (1.9 million units for its season one) and "Family Guy" (1.6 million units). For the record, those numbers pale next to theatrical titles like "Shrek 2," which just sold 12.1 million units its first weekend, grossing $185 million. But TV shows are often much pricier. "I've been starting to hear some questions lately," admits Hettrick, about the chances of "Seinfeld" to set records. "The way it's packaged, the way it's priced. There's a huge demand for it; it will certainly be one of the biggest ever, if not the biggest. But there have been so many surprises in the TV genre. 'Friends' was on NBC and is one of the highest rated shows ever and it didn't sell as well as 'Chappelle.' " But "Seinfeld" has been off NBC for six years, so fans haven't been deluged with the show the way "Friends" was omnipresent when it first hit DVD. On the other hand, it's still a major presence in reruns, reminding casual viewers how funny the show is. And the big batch of extras make the DVD sets seem more than just a repackaging of what people can see for free on TV. So maybe it won't reach blockbuster numbers akin to hit movies — not that there's anything wrong with that. At $119.95 each, if the boxed set can sell just 1.5 million units, it alone will equal "Shrek 2's" first weekend sales in dollars — and that's what really matters in Hollywood. Dave Chappelle's show has been a game-changer for Comedy Central, which re-upped him for two more seasons with a contract that could be worth up to $50 million and includes a hefty piece of the DVD action. "Family Guy" is coming back from the dead with all new episodes at least in part because Fox wants to have more DVD sets to sell.

11-10-2004, 11:47 PM	#2
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	Glad I pre-ordered my copy then.
	__________________ ...Derek TV on DVD Checklist: 05/09 - Scrubs: The Complete Third Season 05/30 - Joey: The Complete First Season 06/13 - Cheers: The Complete Eighth Season 06/13 - Frasier: The Complete Eighth Season 06/20 - Justice League: Season 2 07/25 - Animaniacs: Volume 1 10/?? - Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season 12/06 - Animaniacs: Volume 2

11-10-2004, 11:51 PM	#3
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	I'm gonna have to get a side job just for the set!

11-11-2004, 12:14 AM	#4
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	No joke. November isn't being kind to me, DVD wise. I'm gonna be a homeless person with a very serious DVD collection by the end of the month.