The ABCs of Releasing DVDs - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-30-2004, 05:46 PM

I wonder why it's such a big deal to release most TV shows on DVD? Fans eagerly anticipate the release of their shows, and even then, it's usually only the first Season or two. They are then released in drips and drabs.

Why is this? Are they afraid people won't watch the shows on TV if they can buy them? Is the market for the DVDs large enough? It seems to me that it's a profitable market.

For example, if I could, I would purchase all 8 Seasons of 'Wings' on DVD, but it's not available. I've read posts on the Dick Van Dyke Show board, where the fans are excited about the show finally being released...not sure what Seasons.

Other shows, like '24', are available already. I'm confused.

Anyone feeling like explaining the deal with TV shows being released for sale?

db108108 · 01-31-2004, 03:04 AM

Not being on tv now, of course. This is a way to maximise dollars.

For a drama, it must do horribly in repeats. This is why Alias & 24 come to DVD so quickly- there's money in DVD's, but no in repeating the episode.

Everything will released on DVD eventually. But in order to avoid market choas, it won't all happen at once. If a company puts out 20 DVDs a series people want to buy all in the same year, they'll probably only buy a few. But if they space it out,...

barwars · 01-31-2004, 09:56 AM

I think another major factor is which company has the rights to the show.... and more importantly.... how big of a demand there is.

Like with Mary Tyler Moore.... the first season was released (and to what Ive read) and it did horrible in sales.
So, the demand obviously wasnt there, so sadly.... they stopped production on future seasons.

But now theres rumors going about that Season 2 will find its way to DVD.... and if the sales improve.... the remaining 5 seasons will hopefully come.

barwars · 01-31-2004, 09:57 AM

Ohh and for Dick Van Dyke Show --

Seasons 1 and 2 are already released.

And Season 3 is coming Feb 24.

With Season 4 coming in April
And Season 5 in June.

Janice · 01-31-2004, 02:31 PM

The Dick Van Dyke Show was a poor example for me to cite, but I read often where fans get frustrated waiting for the next season of their favorite shows to be released.

TVFactFan · 01-31-2004, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
I wonder why it's such a big deal to release most TV shows on DVD? Fans eagerly anticipate the release of their shows, and even then, it's usually only the first Season or two. They are then released in drips and drabs.

Why is this? Are they afraid people won't watch the shows on TV if they can buy them? Is the market for the DVDs large enough? It seems to me that it's a profitable market.

For example, if I could, I would purchase all 8 Seasons of 'Wings' on DVD, but it's not available. I've read posts on the Dick Van Dyke Show board, where the fans are excited about the show finally being released...not sure what Seasons.

Other shows, like '24', are available already. I'm confused.

Anyone feeling like explaining the deal with TV shows being released for sale?

WINGS?????-LOL Janice you should not be confused about Wings not being on DVD.

TVFactFan · 01-31-2004, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
The Dick Van Dyke Show was a poor example for me to cite, but I read often where fans get frustrated waiting for the next season of their favorite shows to be released.

I will admit the wait is annoying. Like with Good Times, it took a year for season 2 to come out on DVD.

Janice · 01-31-2004, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
WINGS?????-LOL Janice you should not be confused about Wings not being on DVD.

It's a good show that had a respectable run on NBC. It had to be good to last eight years.

I think if it was released on DVD, that fans of the show would buy it.

TVFactFan · 01-31-2004, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
It's a good show that had a respectable run on NBC. It had to be good to last eight years.

I think if it was released on DVD, that fans of the show would buy it.

Married with Children always made fun of Wings in certain episodes. That's why I thought it was a bad show.

Janice · 01-31-2004, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Married with Children always made fun of Wings in certain episodes. That's why I thought it was a bad show.

Well, in that case, it must be a bad show then, lol.

I don't know if Wings is for you. It's a sister show of sorts to Cheers and Frasier....a lot of the same creators, producers, writers, etc.

Adamantium · 01-31-2004, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Married with Children always made fun of Wings in certain episodes. That's why I thought it was a bad show.

There was a joke on "Wings" where Lowell says "I mean that's why they put PBS on a channel where nobody watches it." I always think of you Solomon when I hear that line.

"Wings" has become somewhat of a joke. But if people just watched it, some would enjoy it and some wouldn't. I can't say everyone would like it, because of course not. I think "Wings" is a bit sillier than Cheers and Frasier, which may turn some people off, but they also have a bunch of emotional scenes that make it a nice balance.

And as for DVD release, I'd buy ten copies and give the rest out as gifts just to help out sales. And I'm not rich or anything, it's just something I really want.

db108108 · 01-31-2004, 09:05 PM

I'm not a Wings person, but every tv board I go to has an absolutely RADID Wings fanbase.

Check out the number of posts for Wings on the 1900-2000's sitcoms index page. It's in the top five.

Adamantium · 02-01-2004, 08:34 PM

If I was in charge of releasing DVDs I'd follow the top 200 shows from the website, TVShowsondvd.com. I'd also release the seasons three months apart. I'm tired of waiting forever to get a different season of a show. Good Times Season 1 came out in Feb. 2003, season two is coming out Feb. 2004. That's way too long.

I'd eventually release them all, but I'd follow the order of, like I said, the website tvshowsondvd.com.

Rezny@gmail.com · 09-02-2007, 08:21 PM

Does anyone know if they are EVER going to release "Green Acres"seasons 4(especially)5 and 6.Or are seasons 1,2 and 3 (which I have)all that are going to be released?

Ireneparalegal · 09-02-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I wonder why it's such a big deal to release most TV shows on DVD? Fans eagerly anticipate the release of their shows, and even then, it's usually only the first Season or two. They are then released in drips and drabs.

Why is this? Are they afraid people won't watch the shows on TV if they can buy them? Is the market for the DVDs large enough? It seems to me that it's a profitable market.

For example, if I could, I would purchase all 8 Seasons of 'Wings' on DVD, but it's not available. I've read posts on the Dick Van Dyke Show board, where the fans are excited about the show finally being released...not sure what Seasons.

Other shows, like '24', are available already. I'm confused.

Anyone feeling like explaining the deal with TV shows being released for sale?

Amen Sister!!!! I have had this thought in my head for sometime now and you said it well.

I too wonder why shows like FRIENDS

uke: get immediate releases, box sets no less, when classic shows like Alice, The Jeffersons, White Shadow, etc. get on the back burner of the DVD mill. Hey, if you release ONE SEASON, you may as well release them all AND FAST. If you are planning the "let's wait and see" bit, then you may as well not release at all. Why bother releasing one season if it takes YEARS for another?

I am still waiting for the entire series of DALLAS to be released.

01-30-2004, 05:46 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The ABCs of Releasing DVDs I wonder why it's such a big deal to release most TV shows on DVD? Fans eagerly anticipate the release of their shows, and even then, it's usually only the first Season or two. They are then released in drips and drabs. Why is this? Are they afraid people won't watch the shows on TV if they can buy them? Is the market for the DVDs large enough? It seems to me that it's a profitable market. For example, if I could, I would purchase all 8 Seasons of 'Wings' on DVD, but it's not available. I've read posts on the Dick Van Dyke Show board, where the fans are excited about the show finally being released...not sure what Seasons. Other shows, like '24', are available already. I'm confused. Anyone feeling like explaining the deal with TV shows being released for sale?

01-31-2004, 03:04 AM	#2
db108108 Teacher (for now) Senior Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2003 Location: 2 hours north of Detroit, 2 hours south of Toronto Posts: 1,023	Not being on tv now, of course. This is a way to maximise dollars. For a drama, it must do horribly in repeats. This is why Alias & 24 come to DVD so quickly- there's money in DVD's, but no in repeating the episode. Everything will released on DVD eventually. But in order to avoid market choas, it won't all happen at once. If a company puts out 20 DVDs a series people want to buy all in the same year, they'll probably only buy a few. But if they space it out,...

01-31-2004, 09:56 AM	#3
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I think another major factor is which company has the rights to the show.... and more importantly.... how big of a demand there is. Like with Mary Tyler Moore.... the first season was released (and to what Ive read) and it did horrible in sales. So, the demand obviously wasnt there, so sadly.... they stopped production on future seasons. But now theres rumors going about that Season 2 will find its way to DVD.... and if the sales improve.... the remaining 5 seasons will hopefully come.

01-31-2004, 09:57 AM	#4
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Ohh and for Dick Van Dyke Show -- Seasons 1 and 2 are already released. And Season 3 is coming Feb 24. With Season 4 coming in April And Season 5 in June.

01-31-2004, 02:31 PM	#5
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The Dick Van Dyke Show was a poor example for me to cite, but I read often where fans get frustrated waiting for the next season of their favorite shows to be released.

01-31-2004, 09:05 PM	#12
db108108 Teacher (for now) Senior Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2003 Location: 2 hours north of Detroit, 2 hours south of Toronto Posts: 1,023	I'm not a Wings person, but every tv board I go to has an absolutely RADID Wings fanbase. Check out the number of posts for Wings on the 1900-2000's sitcoms index page. It's in the top five.

02-01-2004, 08:34 PM	#13
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,838	If I was in charge of releasing DVDs I'd follow the top 200 shows from the website, TVShowsondvd.com. I'd also release the seasons three months apart. I'm tired of waiting forever to get a different season of a show. Good Times Season 1 came out in Feb. 2003, season two is coming out Feb. 2004. That's way too long. I'd eventually release them all, but I'd follow the order of, like I said, the website tvshowsondvd.com.

09-02-2007, 08:21 PM	#14
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	Does anyone know if they are EVER going to release "Green Acres"seasons 4(especially)5 and 6.Or are seasons 1,2 and 3 (which I have)all that are going to be released?