Why has UM never been given a full DVD release? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Fox Mulder · 08-18-2015, 01:42 PM

You have DVD releases of select (mostly later) episodes, with cases that are mostly supernatural related or solved already - but why hasn't UM been given a release in full on DVD? IE Season 1 in full, Season 2 etc?

The whole point of UM was to bring to mainstream attention cases that either went cold or remained unsolved. Many of these cases to this day still are unsolved. Bringing them to DVD would reintroduce these cases to younger, sharper minds who might be able to help.

Lastly, if whoever owns UM is unwilling to sell the unsolved cases and disappearances, why are also so willing to shut down any site which is showing them?

Hops3098 · 08-18-2015, 02:10 PM

younger, sharper minds?

I do get your point though, and I share your frustration. But this has really been re-hashed over and over again.
- There are the legal concerns over many episodes.
- Also there is the fact that the episodes had at least 3 different formats during its initial run would necessitate some re-formatting for a comprehensive DVD release, which the producers seem reluctant to spend the money to do.
- They would have to film or at least produce updates for many cases that were solved after the original run, which would lead to a whole other set of questions.
- The quality of the film, while done for effect, does not, in my opinion, resonate with today's mainstream viewer, who for the most part demands HD quality.

I could continue, but I think those are the main points.

I never looked at how successful the DVD release was overall, but the smallish studio they used, First Look, has been out of business for around 5 years now. I think the only people who'd want to buy a comprehensive re-released version are the members of this board, and there just aren't enough of us.

As far as them shutting sites down, well.... the episodes are their property, so its their right to do so. Likewise, if they don't want to sell their property, they don't have to.

Like I said at the beginning, I share your frustration, but just I don't see it happening.

James T · 08-20-2015, 09:32 AM

The main point of UM was to do ratings-the possibility of solving cases was just a bonus.

They are unlikely to make money doing so-I believe all the box sets sold respectably but not spectacularly. It isn't like releasing every season of Friends or Frazier that were wildly popular to the mass population. UM was not that type of show & has more of a cult following.

everprincess · 08-20-2015, 03:22 PM

If you read this thread http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...=163911&page=2

the first post by CD a reason is listed as to why. Would I buy them? Sure but I collect alot of box DVD sets for shows and watch some on Netflix in the summer when nothing else is on. Like for instance I'm watching Bones now from the beginning. When it came on I was working two jobs.

1990 UM fan · 08-20-2015, 06:57 PM

I still don't see why a DVD release for all episodes from every season hasn't happened or isn't possible. Shows older than Unsolved Mysteries have had DVD releases.

I do agree with the unsolved part. Bringing this show back in its original form would introduce it to a newer audience and our younger generation and future youth could help keep the memory alive, and help solve the unsolved cases (should any of them want to become involved in law, forensics, etc).

Cosgrove/Meurer may not realize it, but a lot of people still care about this show and a lot of people would give their left arm to have every episode. If money was their issue, I'm sure they'd get plenty of it from people around the world who'll buy their DVD releases. For companies that rely on money to stay afloat, holding this show back does not benefit either producer nor consumer.

DALLASTEXAN!! · 08-21-2015, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everprincess

If you read this thread http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...=163911&page=2

the first post by CD a reason is listed as to why. Would I buy them? Sure but I collect alot of box DVD sets for shows and watch some on Netflix in the summer when nothing else is on. Like for instance I'm watching Bones now from the beginning. When it came on I was working two jobs.

Thanks for posting that I don't think I'd ever read that post before. Sadly i don't know that they would make a seasons dvd set if we paid them to do it and then Bought it back from them in a spongebob mr. Krabs type deal. But they sure work hard to stop people from circulation. I guess I don't blame them for protecting their rights. Just hope I'm wrong and that one day more stack version is released I a official capacity.

Nickolas086 · 08-21-2015, 10:46 AM

I thought the majority of the viewers were senior citizens.

idol · 08-21-2015, 11:33 AM

DVDs are dead, streaming is in. Just a sign of today's times.

I'm sure it would be a lot more cost effective for them to release the seasons on a Netflix or a Hulu like service.

LETTERL · 08-21-2015, 11:42 AM

I know we're never going to get Season set releases...but honestly, how much money is the company making by NOT releasing them? I like the idea of sets-on-demand; that would be a cost effective way of doing it. Those of us who are hardcore fans would pay for them.

As for DVDs vs. streaming...I spend enough time staring at my computer screen during the day. When watching TV, I prefer the DVD format, and watching shows on a larger screen. Of course, I'm older and not cool, hip and with it regarding technology. I guess I've just outlived my usefulness. I'm about to age out of the "demo" and the networks will consider me irrelevant.

idol · 08-21-2015, 11:48 AM

Regarding streaming try out a Roku, that is the only way I watch Netflix or WWE Network is on the big screen.

James T · 08-21-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idol

DVDs are dead, streaming is in. Just a sign of today's times.

I'm sure it would be a lot more cost effective for them to release the seasons on a Netflix or a Hulu like service.

I still have a VHS Player-loads of Cricket & Wrestling tapes.

DALLASTEXAN!! · 08-21-2015, 02:20 PM

I'm not a senior citizen nor a younger sharper mind haha. I think my age group is the one that likes UM the most and would love to see the seasons or recirculated RS versions. I'd be ok with new cases too

JC1957 · 08-21-2015, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990 UM fan

For companies that rely on money to stay afloat, holding this show back does not benefit either producer nor consumer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LETTERL

I know we're never going to get Season set releases...but honestly, how much money is the company making by NOT releasing them?.

Agree 100% X 2.

Kane · 08-22-2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James T

It isn't like releasing every season of Friends or Frazier that were wildly popular to the mass population. UM was not that type of show & has more of a cult following.

Agreed. Although UM was a highly rated show during its NBC run and had a loyal audience like any other successful TV series, the show could be generally compared more to Star Trek, for example, than either Friends or Frasier. Both UM and Star Trek generated cult followings, while shows like Friends and Frasier appealed to average viewers more easily. The way I see it, when a show attracts a large enough audience, the general element of that audience tends to outweigh the "fringe" element, and that was the case for Friends and Frasier. But when a show has a cult following, much of its loyal audience tends to be seen in a less-than favorable light - and many Star Trek fans (or Trekkies) know that burden all too well.

justins5256 · 08-22-2015, 12:07 PM

For what it's worth, and at the expense of possibly sounding cynical, I just don't think full season sets of UM with uncut episodes as shown on NBC would really "work" given the non-episodic nature of the series.

Consider that any given episode could have a Lost Love story, a Wanted story, a Missing Persons story, and an Unexplained story. Each story would appeal to different interests (how many people bemoan the lost loves, or the unexplained segments, for example). This is why the themed box sets released by First Look were a better idea. They can attract different audiences this way.

Then factor in that a lot of the stories have been pulled over the years due to legal reasons (e.g., Doyle Wheeler), and family and/or LE requests (e.g., Bonnie Wilder) and it would not be possible to get truly complete and "uncut" episodes shown exactly as they were on NBC back in the 80s and 90s.

I hate to say it, but I think the First Look sets were the best we could realistically hope for.

08-18-2015, 01:42 PM	#1
Fox Mulder Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 14, 2014 Posts: 18	Why has UM never been given a full DVD release? You have DVD releases of select (mostly later) episodes, with cases that are mostly supernatural related or solved already - but why hasn't UM been given a release in full on DVD? IE Season 1 in full, Season 2 etc? The whole point of UM was to bring to mainstream attention cases that either went cold or remained unsolved. Many of these cases to this day still are unsolved. Bringing them to DVD would reintroduce these cases to younger, sharper minds who might be able to help. Lastly, if whoever owns UM is unwilling to sell the unsolved cases and disappearances, why are also so willing to shut down any site which is showing them?

08-20-2015, 06:57 PM	#5
1990 UM fan Unsolved Mysteries fanatic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2011 Location: United States Posts: 2,510	I still don't see why a DVD release for all episodes from every season hasn't happened or isn't possible. Shows older than Unsolved Mysteries have had DVD releases. I do agree with the unsolved part. Bringing this show back in its original form would introduce it to a newer audience and our younger generation and future youth could help keep the memory alive, and help solve the unsolved cases (should any of them want to become involved in law, forensics, etc). Cosgrove/Meurer may not realize it, but a lot of people still care about this show and a lot of people would give their left arm to have every episode. If money was their issue, I'm sure they'd get plenty of it from people around the world who'll buy their DVD releases. For companies that rely on money to stay afloat, holding this show back does not benefit either producer nor consumer.
	__________________ Join my Unsolved Mysteries page (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unsolv...899616?sk=wall

08-21-2015, 11:48 AM	#10
idol Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 280	Regarding streaming try out a Roku, that is the only way I watch Netflix or WWE Network is on the big screen.
	Last edited by idol; 08-21-2015 at 01:26 PM.

08-18-2015, 02:10 PM	#2
Hops3098 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 17, 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 275	younger, sharper minds? I do get your point though, and I share your frustration. But this has really been re-hashed over and over again. - There are the legal concerns over many episodes. - Also there is the fact that the episodes had at least 3 different formats during its initial run would necessitate some re-formatting for a comprehensive DVD release, which the producers seem reluctant to spend the money to do. - They would have to film or at least produce updates for many cases that were solved after the original run, which would lead to a whole other set of questions. - The quality of the film, while done for effect, does not, in my opinion, resonate with today's mainstream viewer, who for the most part demands HD quality. I could continue, but I think those are the main points. I never looked at how successful the DVD release was overall, but the smallish studio they used, First Look, has been out of business for around 5 years now. I think the only people who'd want to buy a comprehensive re-released version are the members of this board, and there just aren't enough of us. As far as them shutting sites down, well.... the episodes are their property, so its their right to do so. Likewise, if they don't want to sell their property, they don't have to. Like I said at the beginning, I share your frustration, but just I don't see it happening.

08-20-2015, 09:32 AM	#3
James T Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 1,567	The main point of UM was to do ratings-the possibility of solving cases was just a bonus. They are unlikely to make money doing so-I believe all the box sets sold respectably but not spectacularly. It isn't like releasing every season of Friends or Frazier that were wildly popular to the mass population. UM was not that type of show & has more of a cult following.

08-20-2015, 03:22 PM	#4
everprincess Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 05, 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 163	If you read this thread http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...=163911&page=2 the first post by CD a reason is listed as to why. Would I buy them? Sure but I collect alot of box DVD sets for shows and watch some on Netflix in the summer when nothing else is on. Like for instance I'm watching Bones now from the beginning. When it came on I was working two jobs.

08-21-2015, 10:46 AM	#7
Nickolas086 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 26, 2009 Posts: 110	I thought the majority of the viewers were senior citizens.

08-21-2015, 11:33 AM	#8
idol Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 280	DVDs are dead, streaming is in. Just a sign of today's times. I'm sure it would be a lot more cost effective for them to release the seasons on a Netflix or a Hulu like service.

08-21-2015, 11:42 AM	#9
LETTERL Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 11, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 83	I know we're never going to get Season set releases...but honestly, how much money is the company making by NOT releasing them? I like the idea of sets-on-demand; that would be a cost effective way of doing it. Those of us who are hardcore fans would pay for them. As for DVDs vs. streaming...I spend enough time staring at my computer screen during the day. When watching TV, I prefer the DVD format, and watching shows on a larger screen. Of course, I'm older and not cool, hip and with it regarding technology. I guess I've just outlived my usefulness. I'm about to age out of the "demo" and the networks will consider me irrelevant.

08-21-2015, 02:20 PM	#12
DALLASTEXAN!! Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 31, 2007 Location: Devil's Backbone Posts: 3,132	I'm not a senior citizen nor a younger sharper mind haha. I think my age group is the one that likes UM the most and would love to see the seasons or recirculated RS versions. I'd be ok with new cases too

08-22-2015, 12:07 PM	#15
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	For what it's worth, and at the expense of possibly sounding cynical, I just don't think full season sets of UM with uncut episodes as shown on NBC would really "work" given the non-episodic nature of the series. Consider that any given episode could have a Lost Love story, a Wanted story, a Missing Persons story, and an Unexplained story. Each story would appeal to different interests (how many people bemoan the lost loves, or the unexplained segments, for example). This is why the themed box sets released by First Look were a better idea. They can attract different audiences this way. Then factor in that a lot of the stories have been pulled over the years due to legal reasons (e.g., Doyle Wheeler), and family and/or LE requests (e.g., Bonnie Wilder) and it would not be possible to get truly complete and "uncut" episodes shown exactly as they were on NBC back in the 80s and 90s. I hate to say it, but I think the First Look sets were the best we could realistically hope for.