UM's 800 number/poor DVD promotion

[MetalHybrid]

Has anyone ever dialed it at all since it was put on only in syndication? Is it even still functioning? I also recall that on the "more info" section of the DVD sets they said something about poeple e-mailing the show and calling into the hotline asking about how to retrieve story footage, and that the DVD's would fullfill this demand.

Yet proud as they are of these DVD sets, they did not put very much effort into promoting them. I became aware of their release during a commercial break once, but that was back in the fall and they have not shown any since, and these commercial were only for the first three boxsets. Even UM's website mentions nothing of the second three sets. And the weekly newspaper inserts ads (Best Buy, Tower Recs, Circuit City) mentioned nothing regarding any of the sets despite the fact that they are sold at such places. The big "why" is certainly there, yet I can only guess that no one here really knows.

It may be worth a try to call/mail UM's Burbank HQ(though my letter to them never got a reply), and maybe encourage and suggest more ways to promote these DVD sets, so they could sell better, and maybe assist in the creation of future sets, assuming the numder is still running.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by MetalHybrid

It may be worth a try to call/mail UM's Burbank HQ(though my letter to them never got a reply), and maybe encourage and suggest more ways to promote these DVD sets, so they could sell better, and maybe assist in the creation of future sets, assuming the numder is still running.

As I pointed out in other posts, the UM phone number is only for submitting tips relavant to an UM case. The hotline is not an appropriate place to call for suggestions on anything (or for any other petty matters). So if you want to give them suggestions, write to them. In this matter, physical letters have far more impact than phone calls.

Nevertheless, since UM probably gets large volumes of mail, responding to every single letter they receive is easier said than done. So there is no guarantee that you will eventually hear back from them.

[KyooMac]

Why would they promote them? Aren't they really only for the die-hard fans, like us? The fact they they even exist is a blessing, AFAIK America's most wanted doesn't have DVD's. UM is an institutution bigger than most TV shows could ever become, the fact that they're syndicated on Lifetime is more than most shows could ever achieve. Most importantly, did they think it would ever get this big?

[Kane]

Originally Posted by KyooMac

Why would they promote them? Aren't they really only for the die-hard fans, like us?

They don't have to be limited to "die-hard" fans.

In any case, as I have noted in other posts, if they were hoping for the DVDs to sell like hotcakes, then they should have promoted them more vigorously. One way to make the promotion vigorous would be to advertise the DVDs on as many publications and TV channels as humanly possible. This is very essential in boosting (if not guaranteeing) your chances of generating better sales.

[Blackout]

Originally Posted by KyooMac

Why would they promote them? Aren't they really only for the die-hard fans, like us? The fact they they even exist is a blessing, AFAIK America's most wanted doesn't have DVD's. UM is an institutution bigger than most TV shows could ever become, the fact that they're syndicated on Lifetime is more than most shows could ever achieve. Most importantly, did they think it would ever get this big?

its called business, you do this to make some $$$

why would First Look not want to get as much money off of these as possible?

[MetalHybrid]

Well It was way back in January that I sent in that letter. Nothing to lose by sending in another. Though I can't imagine that they would be getting mountains of snail mail now that the show is syndacated.

Yeah these sets don't have to be restricted to the long-time fanbase. Newcomers can also indulge themselves with these sets, all the more reason that promotion should continue, and future sets be released...

[Kane]

Originally Posted by MetalHybrid

Well It was way back in January that I sent in that letter. Nothing to lose by sending in another. Though I can't imagine that they would be getting mountains of snail mail now that the show is syndacated.

Whether or not a letter gets read often depends on its length. Although I don't claim to be an expert on the subject, I have learned that letters that are concise have a better chance at being read (and answered) than long-winded ones. Limit your letter to one page. That way, you stick to the relevant subject, and don't ramble on and on. Otherwise, if the letter is too long, you will only increase the risk of losing the reader.

Hope this helps.

[MetalHybrid]

Originally Posted by Kane

Whether or not a letter gets read often depends on its length. Although I don't claim to be an expert on the subject, I have learned that letters that are concise have a better chance at being read (and answered) than long-winded ones. Limit your letter to one page. That way, you stick to the relevant subject, and don't ramble on and on. Otherwise, if the letter is too long, you will only increase the risk of losing the reader.

Hope this helps.

Right. I am good at keeping it to the point. But as you said, they may get volumes upon volumes of mail, so persistence is necessary. Though what makes you think they are getting loads of mail now that they are only on in syndication? People writing with tips? Requests for new episodes?

[KyooMac]

Originally Posted by Blackout805

its called business, you do this to make some $$

I know about business, I just don't hink that the DVD sets were made to make money. A lot of what is UM seems to be an afterthought. And DVD's don't cost anything to make. So I'm sure the profit margin is high on any units they do sell.

[KyooMac]

Originally Posted by MetalHybrid

Yeah these sets don't have to be restricted to the long-time fanbase. Newcomers can also indulge themselves with these sets, all the more reason that promotion should continue, and future sets be released...

How many newcomers do you know that walk into a video rental place and pick up a DVD of a show that they didn't watch WHEN it was on TV, much less now that it's on Lifetime? Plus I don't see new people watching UM, it's on at 11am, when everyone is at work.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by MetalHybrid

Right. I am good at keeping it to the point. But as you said, they may get volumes upon volumes of mail, so persistence is necessary. Though what makes you think they are getting loads of mail now that they are only on in syndication? People writing with tips? Requests for new episodes?

Well, I don't know for a fact that they are currently getting high volumes of mail, although I'm sure that they did when it was in production. In any case, I know from experience that TV studios, networks, and many other companies generally get a good amount of mail, but it's not always possible for them to respond to every single letter.

The content of the letter is a common factor. For example, if they receive letters that contain any hint of hostility, they are quickly discarded, and go unanswered.

Even if people were writing to the studio to request new episodes, it's not working. That's because the studio can do nothing about making new episodes unless Lifetime (or another network) is willing to commission new episodes. I mean, why waste time and money making new episodes if no network is willing to air them?

[MetalHybrid]

Originally Posted by KyooMac

How many newcomers do you know that walk into a video rental place and pick up a DVD of a show that they didn't watch WHEN it was on TV, much less now that it's on Lifetime? Plus I don't see new people watching UM, it's on at 11am, when everyone is at work.

Well I did not mean it in that instance. Here is one of the more probable scenarios. A long-time UM viewer shows stories on the DVD set to a friend who never really knew much about the show in its original era. That person than takes a liking and decides to start collecting DVD sets of their own to further see what UM did over the years. Also people who were very young when UM was original may not remember it, and now that it has been years they may take an interest even if the show is no longer showing original segments. If the stories are good enough they will be timeless, as the producers said in one of the few extra features.