What happens to old shows if they aren't released on DVD - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 07-18-2019, 05:58 PM

I'm certain that lots of old TV shows have their tapes just sitting in a warehouse of distributor/studios or storage space somewhere. Probably forgotten and degrading over time. Some shows just fade into obscurity, or their production companies just never anticipated home media. Maybe, it's all about if it's profitable to mass produce the DVD and/or blu-ray collections.

mandyrenee · 07-18-2019, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

I'm certain that lots of old TV shows have their tapes just sitting in a warehouse of distributor/studios or storage space somewhere. Probably forgotten and degrading over time. Some shows just fade into obscurity, or their production companies just never anticipated home media. Maybe, it's all about if it's profitable to mass produce the DVD and/or blu-ray collections.

A lot of them do end up lying around in warehouses and vaults unforgotten. A lot of the older shows that were filmed on nitrate film have deteriorated over a period of time and cannot be restored or salvaged. I have even heard of some studios throwing out some of their older films/tapes before.

KRW · 07-18-2019, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandyrenee

A lot of them do end up lying around in warehouses and vaults unforgotten. A lot of the older shows that were filmed on nitrate film have deteriorated over a period of time and cannot be restored or salvaged. I have even heard of some studios throwing out some of their older films/tapes before.

Why in the hell would a studio throw away film/tapes? That just sounds idiotic of a studio to do.

mandyrenee · 07-19-2019, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRW

Why in the hell would a studio throw away film/tapes? That just sounds idiotic of a studio to do.

I agree.

dee2364 · 07-20-2019, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRW

Why in the hell would a studio throw away film/tapes? That just sounds idiotic of a studio to do.

This was in the days before syndication ever existed. The studios simply thought that the shows were a one-off, so saw no point in keeping them.

HarryWild · 10-19-2019, 06:44 PM

Many valuable old 35mm film can be converted to 4K quality and 16:9! Older video camera shows are only in SD and cost much more to enhance it to digital and up to 720 by computer processing.

storrs19 · 10-29-2019, 04:16 AM

There are so many great shows that I fear we’ll never see again. None of the great variety shows as the music rights would be astronomical in cost to clear (my #1 pet peeve). Also so many great classic black and white shows that I guess just wouldn’t sell to the younger crowd. I’m only 47 but I enjoy a lot of black and white shows from the 1950s. My main ones I’d like to see on dvd are Dragnet, Susie/Private Secretary/The Ann Southern Show, and December Bride. These were all very popular and ran for many seasons but you never see them on any channel any more.

Schmoopie · 04-16-2020, 07:05 PM

This is a great topic, b/c I have always wondered this as well. It would make sense to put them all on DVD or at least add them to a streaming service or even put them on a retro cable station like Me, or something.

10-29-2019, 04:16 AM	#7
storrs19 B&W TV Lover Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 07, 2003 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 742	There are so many great shows that I fear we’ll never see again. None of the great variety shows as the music rights would be astronomical in cost to clear (my #1 pet peeve). Also so many great classic black and white shows that I guess just wouldn’t sell to the younger crowd. I’m only 47 but I enjoy a lot of black and white shows from the 1950s. My main ones I’d like to see on dvd are Dragnet, Susie/Private Secretary/The Ann Southern Show, and December Bride. These were all very popular and ran for many seasons but you never see them on any channel any more.
	__________________ Bring back my B&W TV Shows !!

04-16-2020, 07:05 PM	#8
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	This is a great topic, b/c I have always wondered this as well. It would make sense to put them all on DVD or at least add them to a streaming service or even put them on a retro cable station like Me, or something.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

07-18-2019, 05:58 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,469	What happens to old shows if they aren't released on DVD I'm certain that lots of old TV shows have their tapes just sitting in a warehouse of distributor/studios or storage space somewhere. Probably forgotten and degrading over time. Some shows just fade into obscurity, or their production companies just never anticipated home media. Maybe, it's all about if it's profitable to mass produce the DVD and/or blu-ray collections.

10-19-2019, 06:44 PM	#6
HarryWild Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 16, 2012 Posts: 454	Many valuable old 35mm film can be converted to 4K quality and 16:9! Older video camera shows are only in SD and cost much more to enhance it to digital and up to 720 by computer processing.