THE WONDER YEARS (Consolidated Thread; No New Ones, Please!)

ManuelIP · 04-27-2003, 02:23 PM

Hi guys

does anyone know which company holds the rights for a DVD release of the TV show "The Wonder Years" (starring i.e. Fred Savage, Dan Lauria)?

are there already plans to release the show? I could imagine that music clearance could slow down a relase, but is there any hope?

thanks
Manuel

LukeB · 04-27-2003, 02:40 PM

We thought it was Warner, but apparently according to the chat, it's not.

Laserlight released two discs with a few episodes on each, with a different recording of the theme song and a few other music changes. Generally, the quality of the Laserlight DVDs sucked.

I'd really love for season sets, as it's such an excellent show. But like you say, music clearance is probably a hurdle.

Nonetheless, a hurdle that would be worth leaping over, in my opinion. If it all depends on the bottom line, I'm sure the show would sell well, with its wide, cross-generational appeal.

ManuelIP · 05-11-2003, 11:14 AM

what about Anchor Bay Entertainment? Could they have the rights for TWY? Some years ago the released the first 4 episodes on VHS (with the original music).

Jeff Kleist · 05-11-2003, 11:19 AM

Since the show was on ABC, I'm going to guess Disney may hold the rights now.

The music clearances on this show are HORRIFICLY expensive. Frankly I believe we'll be lucky to see best-ofs

Matthew Chmiel · 05-11-2003, 12:01 PM

New World Pictures and Warner Brothers worked on the television show (I'm guessing New World produced, Warner distributed).

Warner has mentioned previous times that they don't own the property, which would mean New World Pictures would own it.

That would mean whoever owns New World Pictures now would own the property (Anchor Bay). But would Anchor Bay pay the expensive music rights to distribute the show on DVD?

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Fred Mayall · 05-11-2003, 03:14 PM

Are we definately sure that anchor bay own the rights?

If so, maybe we should let them know how many people want this classic show on DVD.

I know I do....

Jeff Kleist · 05-11-2003, 03:24 PM

It's possible Anchor Bay has it now. If I were them I would have to endorse a "best-of" set to see how it sells. Wonder Years is one of those shows that will either sell nothing or sell very well. Given how much money is going to be involved, it would be prudent to test the waters, and include some sort of feedback form inside the disc case that asks "Do you want season sets, how much would you pay etc etc"

Robert Ringwald · 05-11-2003, 03:30 PM

Why wouldn't they just do season 1 then? It appears to be like 8 episodes long I think.

Fred Mayall · 05-11-2003, 03:33 PM

Thats a good idea, Jeff but the thing is, I think most people wouldn't buy best-of releases. They would prefer to buy season by season sets. Testing the waters with the first season is a great idea.

Matthew Chmiel · 05-11-2003, 03:59 PM

If Anchor Bay does indeed own the rights to the show, they could release the entire first season on one disc (six episodes). Screw best-of, one could have the entire first season on one dual layer disc. Throw a few extras on it and release it with an SRP of $14.99 - 29.99 (depending on how much the music rights cost).

Season 1: 6 episodes (1 disc)
Season 2: 17 episodes (2 - 3 discs)
Season 3: 23 episodes (3 - 4 discs)
Season 4: 23 episodes (3 - 4 discs)
Season 5: 24 episodes (3 - 4 discs)
Season 6: 22 episodes (3 - 4 discs)
Overall: 115 episodes (15 - 20 discs)

EDIT: Or they could release the first two seasons together in a box set. Then release every other season in it's own box set.

Jeff Kleist · 05-11-2003, 04:04 PM

I wasn't aware Season 1 was only 6 eps, then it would be logical to do that as a test, however I bet it would be preferable to do Season 1 and 2 in 1 package