No Miami Vice on DVD - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dlemond · 07-17-2003, 04:45 PM

This is from The Digital Bits:

www.digitalbits.com

Sadly, two TV series you won't be seeing on DVD any time soon are Miami Vice and WKRP in Cincinnati. Video Store Magazine has reported that Universal claims a DVD release of Miami Vice is nearly impossible because of the complicated music clearance issues. We have personal knowledge that the same is true with Fox's WKRP in Cincinnati. Both shows used a great deal of then contemporary music as part of their soundtracks. The problem is, at the time these shows were produced, no one was thinking about future home video and DVD releases. So the license agreements with the music industry to use these songs didn't apply to future home video use. That means that they studios would have to re-license each song - which can literally cost millions of dollars per episode. You'd like to think the music industry would be flexible in working out new agreements to at least make DVD releases possible, but given the sad state of the music industry these days and their shotgun approach to enforcing copyright, I wouldn't hold my breath.

BrandonS · 07-24-2003, 06:53 AM

Very sad. "WKRP" is good, and I love "Miami Vice." Fortunately I taped most of the MV episodes years ago.

07-17-2003, 04:45 PM	#1
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	No Miami Vice on DVD This is from The Digital Bits: www.digitalbits.com Sadly, two TV series you won't be seeing on DVD any time soon are Miami Vice and WKRP in Cincinnati. Video Store Magazine has reported that Universal claims a DVD release of Miami Vice is nearly impossible because of the complicated music clearance issues. We have personal knowledge that the same is true with Fox's WKRP in Cincinnati. Both shows used a great deal of then contemporary music as part of their soundtracks. The problem is, at the time these shows were produced, no one was thinking about future home video and DVD releases. So the license agreements with the music industry to use these songs didn't apply to future home video use. That means that they studios would have to re-license each song - which can literally cost millions of dollars per episode. You'd like to think the music industry would be flexible in working out new agreements to at least make DVD releases possible, but given the sad state of the music industry these days and their shotgun approach to enforcing copyright, I wouldn't hold my breath.
	__________________ Michael

07-24-2003, 06:53 AM	#2
BrandonS Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 8,824	Very sad. "WKRP" is good, and I love "Miami Vice." Fortunately I taped most of the MV episodes years ago.