Sopranos and Sex and The City Double Dips DVDs - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 02-17-2005, 11:49 AM

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com

HBO to hit replay button
By DAVID BIANCULLI
DAILY NEWS TV CRITIC
Thursday, February 17th, 2005

A new season of "The Sopranos" isn't due until next year, but HBO may have something to keep fans busy - the company is bumping up the release date of the fifth-season DVD.

"Frankly, it seems to make sense to us to not let the distance between the release of season four and season five get too great," Caroline Rhea, senior vice president of marketing for HBO Video, revealed to the Daily News, noting season four came out in October 2003.

In the past, HBO has released the most recent season of a show on DVD near the launch date for the next season, as a way to boost interest in the returning show. For example, HBO last week put out the first season of "Deadwood," which returns for its second outing next month.

But, because "The Sopranos" is coming back with what's being billed as the final season in 2006, HBO has stepped up the release of the new DVD to June 7, in time for Father's Day.

Chase in charge

The return date to HBO for "The Sopranos" is dictated by creator David Chase, who demands and receives the time to produce the show on his own timetable. The most recent season, the fifth, ran from March to June of last year.

Yet it's already been a long time since season four of "The Sopranos" was available on DVD and HBO Video is both acknowledging, and trying to stem, the fans' impatience.

Because of Chase's work load and methods, he doesn't personally provide as much as other HBO show creators to the DVD supplementary material - but Rhea says fans and critics seem to accept that. Four directors will provide commentary for the fifth-season box, including Mike Figgis and "Sopranos" fifthseason recurring guest star Steve Buscemi.

Meanwhile, Rhea said HBO is planning a "super-premium" set of "Sex and the City" to hit stores before Christmas.

"I think there is absolutely a super-premium collector's market," she said about "Sex and the City."

Though all seasons have been released in separate installments, Rhea said the complete collection, including additional content and DVD extras not available on the originals, is being developed with "an eye for the collector," including new disc art and lavish packaging.

"It'll be kind of showpiece that you might want to own and preserve, and not use as your everyday set," Rhea said. "I guess it would be kind of like the good china. Or the good shoes."

Specialized markets

According to Rhea, buyers of the HBO Video sets vary from show to show. For "The Sopranos," as many as 60% of DVD purchasers are not subscribers to HBO. For "Curb Your Enthusiasm," it's the reverse: 60% of them are, and are buying the set after seeing and enjoying the show.

She's also beginning to track a new phenomenon - nonsubscribers who buy the boxed set for something like "Deadwood," and like it enough to subscribe to HBO in time to watch the new season unfold.

"If that is the case," she said of this apparent new side effect of DVD sales of TV boxed sets, "then it's kind of a circular, beautiful thing."

Dean Winchester · 02-17-2005, 11:58 AM

well, forget that. I am more than comfortable with the 7 seperate releases I have anyways.

barwars · 02-17-2005, 03:01 PM

bad.
move.

Dean Winchester · 02-17-2005, 06:01 PM

I am gonna get down on all fours and beg Stephen to establish a connection with HBO tho... if he can get me the S&TC box set, I'd definately take it, but I won't pay for it, lol

barwars · 02-17-2005, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffySlayer79

I am gonna get down on all fours and beg Stephen to establish a connection with HBO tho... if he can get me the S&TC box set, I'd definately take it, but I won't pay for it, lol

<--- takes dibs on Sopranos, if and when this happens. And I've never seen the show.

Dean Winchester · 02-17-2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

<--- takes dibs on Sopranos, if and when this happens. And I've never seen the show.

oh, you and Stacy will have a pretty bloody battle over that set, lol.

barwars · 02-17-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffySlayer79

oh, you and Stacy will have a pretty bloody battle over that set, lol.

screw it, he can have the new set.
I'm fine with hand-me-downs.

wink.
wink.

vashti1999 · 02-17-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

screw it, he can have the new set.
I'm fine with hand-me-downs.

wink.
wink.

I read that article wrong. I'm not sure if they're doing a whole super Sopranos collection like they plan on doing with Sex and The City. But if you did get hand-me-downs, they'd be in great condition.

Dean Winchester · 02-17-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vashti1999

I read that article wrong. I'm not sure if they're doing a whole super Sopranos collection like they plan on doing with Sex and The City. But if you did get hand-me-downs, they'd be in great condition.

I think HBO will wait until Sopranos goes off and then do a massive box set like they're doing with S&TC, why do a "super collection" for Sopranos when there's still one more season?

02-17-2005, 11:49 AM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Sopranos and Sex and The City Double Dips DVDs New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com HBO to hit replay button By DAVID BIANCULLI DAILY NEWS TV CRITIC Thursday, February 17th, 2005 A new season of "The Sopranos" isn't due until next year, but HBO may have something to keep fans busy - the company is bumping up the release date of the fifth-season DVD. "Frankly, it seems to make sense to us to not let the distance between the release of season four and season five get too great," Caroline Rhea, senior vice president of marketing for HBO Video, revealed to the Daily News, noting season four came out in October 2003. In the past, HBO has released the most recent season of a show on DVD near the launch date for the next season, as a way to boost interest in the returning show. For example, HBO last week put out the first season of "Deadwood," which returns for its second outing next month. But, because "The Sopranos" is coming back with what's being billed as the final season in 2006, HBO has stepped up the release of the new DVD to June 7, in time for Father's Day. Chase in charge The return date to HBO for "The Sopranos" is dictated by creator David Chase, who demands and receives the time to produce the show on his own timetable. The most recent season, the fifth, ran from March to June of last year. Yet it's already been a long time since season four of "The Sopranos" was available on DVD and HBO Video is both acknowledging, and trying to stem, the fans' impatience. Because of Chase's work load and methods, he doesn't personally provide as much as other HBO show creators to the DVD supplementary material - but Rhea says fans and critics seem to accept that. Four directors will provide commentary for the fifth-season box, including Mike Figgis and "Sopranos" fifthseason recurring guest star Steve Buscemi. Meanwhile, Rhea said HBO is planning a "super-premium" set of "Sex and the City" to hit stores before Christmas. "I think there is absolutely a super-premium collector's market," she said about "Sex and the City." Though all seasons have been released in separate installments, Rhea said the complete collection, including additional content and DVD extras not available on the originals, is being developed with "an eye for the collector," including new disc art and lavish packaging. "It'll be kind of showpiece that you might want to own and preserve, and not use as your everyday set," Rhea said. "I guess it would be kind of like the good china. Or the good shoes." Specialized markets According to Rhea, buyers of the HBO Video sets vary from show to show. For "The Sopranos," as many as 60% of DVD purchasers are not subscribers to HBO. For "Curb Your Enthusiasm," it's the reverse: 60% of them are, and are buying the set after seeing and enjoying the show. She's also beginning to track a new phenomenon - nonsubscribers who buy the boxed set for something like "Deadwood," and like it enough to subscribe to HBO in time to watch the new season unfold. "If that is the case," she said of this apparent new side effect of DVD sales of TV boxed sets, "then it's kind of a circular, beautiful thing."
	__________________ .

02-17-2005, 11:58 AM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	well, forget that. I am more than comfortable with the 7 seperate releases I have anyways.

02-17-2005, 03:01 PM	#3
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	bad. move.

02-17-2005, 06:01 PM	#4
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I am gonna get down on all fours and beg Stephen to establish a connection with HBO tho... if he can get me the S&TC box set, I'd definately take it, but I won't pay for it, lol