Lost In Space Season II RUMOR

Ronald Epstein · 05-12-2004, 08:57 AM

I have the opportunity to speak with a few
people involved with the Lost In Space
fan clubs.

Rumor has it that Fox is considering releasing
the second season as a 2-part set. In another
words, dividing up the season in two separate
releases.

The reason? To lower the price of each set so
that more stores will carry them.

Personally, if this is true, I hope Fox does not
go this route. Breaking up the set into two parts
is not an attractive purchase option for the fans
who want an all-inclusive purchase.

It also *seems* that releasing 2 separate packages
can't be as cost-effective as releasing one. Therefor,
people will most likely pay MORE when they buy two
packages rather than one.

Of course, just speculation.

It's sad that studios generally don't cater to fans
these days and if they feel they can sell more copies
in some other form, that will be their priority. I
wouldn't call it being rude -- just good business.

Take all of this as rumor.

Carlos Garcia · 05-12-2004, 09:15 AM

I too heard this rumor yesterday on a Lost In Space fan site. I agree with you Ron, this is a travesty and not a fan friendly move. This move is done with more $$$ in mind for 20th Century Fox. How can anyone say that splitting a season set into 2 will make the price cheaper on consumers? The first season set is listed on amazon.com for $65.58, what does this mean as far as their thinking goes? Do they expect us to pay perhaps $24.99 for each half season set of season 2? I doubt it. Anything above that price doesn't sound reasonable to me because after shipping or taxes on both half sets, the price would either be the same or more than a full season set. I just hope this is only a rumor, because if they actually decide to go this route, it may start a very ugly trend that caters more to DVD releasing companies, than it does to the consumers. I'm sure the fans all want a complete season set, not this half season travesty, but I guess we're living in times where the customer is no longer right.

Randy A Salas · 05-12-2004, 09:15 AM

Quote:

I wouldn't call it being rude -- just good business.

...And very likely the difference between something being released and not released.

Peter Staddon · 05-12-2004, 07:01 PM

We are indeed looking at this option.

In an ideal world I would like to produce a complete Season 2 package. The sad reality is that although Season 1 sold ok, it did not sell well enough for many accounts that carried it to carry Season 2. Dividing it into two volumes and lowering the shelf price is a way of getting the series into distribution. We are not trying to gouge the fan base here we are trying to get the product on the shelf!

The combined pricepoints of volumes 1 and 2 should be pretty close to the pricepoint of Season 1, we are not trying to make 1 + 1 = 3 here.

Thanks for your interest,

Peter Staddon

WillG · 05-12-2004, 07:18 PM

As much as it seems kind of lame for fans, I can see where Mr. Staddon is coming from. All the time, I have troubles finding TV product at many B&Ms that are not guaranteed huge sellers. For instance, last week, I wanted to buy Season 2 of "Three's Company." Out of Costco, Circuit City, Wal*Mart and Best Buy, Best Buy was the only one to have it. And that still stands a week later. On top of that, the Best Buy I was able to get it at only opened recently, so if not for that, I would have to resort to an online purchase, which is not so bad, by why should I have to? A couple of months ago it was "Married With Children" S2 and the only place that had that was Wal*Mart. And the odd thing is that the price points on these shows aren't even that high. If volumes will result in more stores carrying product and increasing sales which helps insure further season sets, then it may be necessary. If the price points are indeed 1+1=2 and the volumes are not released far apart, I could live. But, I just hope this will be more the exception rather than the rule.

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Chas_Michael · 05-12-2004, 07:52 PM

Hi Peter,
I'll take Lost In Space in 2 parts! as 2 is better than none

I see your point, Do you have a ballpark release date? This is one of my all time favorite shows and I've been waiting for this to show up on DVD for years! Thanks for your effort.

David_Blackwell · 05-12-2004, 08:22 PM

That is interesting to know, Peter.

Peter, is Roswell Season 2 slated for release in August or is it being considered for release in the fourth Quarter (as I have been hearing from some Roswell fans)?

Jim Beaver · 05-12-2004, 09:25 PM

Wow....

I was under the impression that Lost in Space sold extremly well. That was a surprise to me. Well I guess you gotta do what you got to do if you want to put more seasons out.

Bert Greene · 05-12-2004, 09:30 PM

Well, I rather hate hearing this. Mainly because if a vintage show (of hour-long status) like "Lost in Space" is borderline, a lot of my dvd pipe-dreams will remain just that (Route 66? Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea? The Untouchables? etc., etc).

As for LIS v.2, I'm really on the fence with that one to begin with. I enjoyed the 1st-season a great deal, far more than I expected. It was great fun. I recall, however, 2nd-season being awash in the type of episodes that sometimes tried my patience. Yet, I'm weirdly anxious to see the 3rd-season again, which somehow elicits some pleasant memories. Generally haven't viewed these in over twenty years. I thought it would be my 'collectors' sensibilities that would eventually sway me to go ahead and get v.2, despite my qualms. A change in size/format really puts a damper on that completist urge in me.

Carlos Garcia · 05-12-2004, 09:43 PM

Does this mean if season 2 set 1 doesn't sell well, there will be no season 2 set 2 or season 3?