When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!! - Page 27

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I wouldn't call eight months to release 26 episodes particilarly quick.

Indeed, compared to many TV series, that's painfuly slow.

Remember, we were waiting 17, 18 weeks for a half-season to creep it;s way onto the shelves.

Heck, a repeat on TV at one episode a week would've been faster.

I'll repeat: being 3/4 of the way through, with just one season to go, means nothing to the Fox bean counters. They'd drop someone one episode short if the balance sheet said so.

Re: HAVE SOME FAITH!!!!!

I like your thinking and I, too, am holding onto hope that season 4 will be eventually released. If Universal can release season 4 of Sliders 3 years after season 3, I don't see why FOX can't do the same with Voyage, I just hope the wait isn't that long though. It could have been worse, they could have dropped the series after Season 3, Vol. 1 like what happened with The Big Valley. Hopefully the released volumes will sell enough over time so that FOX reconsiders.

With the exception of the double sided discs, I had to return 3 of the Volumes because of issues, I think FOX did a great job on the series. The episodes look great, as does the packaging. I love the series and am glad to have gotten the first 3 seasons so far.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

First, I’m glad to have found so many passionate VOYAGE fans here, and thanks to all of you for creating this discussion.

Now, I’m curious as to the concern over the release of Season Four. The release date for Season Three Volume Two was October 23, 2007. That’s less than six months ago and, despite the much-appreciated accelerated release schedule of the VOYAGE sets so far, I wouldn’t consider that as any cause for alarm over the release of Season Four. I have no knowledge of FOX and how it works – and, for all I know, there may actually BE a cause for concern. But, as an ordinary consumer, I would tend to think not.

In fact, it had only occurred to me to begin sniffing for any advance tidbits on Season Four… and that’s what led me to this thread.

It doesn’t surprise me that Season Three may have fallen short of expectations, for a number of reasons. After a somewhat solid beginning, it fell short of previous efforts about the time of “Deadly Invasion”. But, there are other factors to consider as well.

There is truly a GLUT of DVD product on the market. I often look at advance listings and say: “Why would anyone want THAT?” But, some people probably say the same thing about VOYAGE, so to each their own.

Between 15 and 20 years ago, there was a great comic book market, but a glut destroyed that too. I’d like to think the DVD market is stronger than that, but the same forces are at work – such as when we get collectable packaging and premiums with DVD sets. Still, I’d have to think that sales of the average set of any series are down now, as opposed to 2-3 years ago.

Then, there is a seriously bad economy that did not exist – even during the time of the release of Seasons 1 and 2. Quality of Season Three, glut, and bad economy would all seem to account for whatever numbers VOYAGE’S third season pulled.

But, with only one more season left, I see no reason for FOX to pull the plug. Though, for the first time in my life, I’m glad the Seaview didn’t sail for seven or eight seasons. As far as I can tell from this thread no one has heard any official word from FOX regarding the abandonment of Season Four. It seems to be just the lack of word – perhaps combined with lesser sales for Season Three – that fuels this debate. Of course, I’m now concerned too – but it’s still far less than a year – and FOX may simply want slow it down and let the existing sets sell to maximum effect before releasing more.

Finally, it would probably not hurt if FOX were to know that there is this kind of demand for Season Four. After all, if you have a sampling of “x” who want it, there is probably a “real number” of “x plus many”. Consider that, a few days ago, I was not even aware of this thread – and I want the set as much as anyone here.

Is there anyone with the “know-how” to direct this thread – or specific elements of it – to FOX? They could stand to know that such a demand exists. Sorry this was so long, but I’ve loved VOYAGE nearly all my life and want to see it completed!

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

The reason for concern is this: the Voyage releases were like clockwork. Every four months, for six releases. The pre-release announcements were like clockwork too.

But: Season Four Part One should have been released back in the third week of Febuary. It wasn't.

So maybe Fox decided to delay things, or even change the format so that Season Four was released complete, in one go. The obvious date for that would have been the third week in June, when the releases would have finished, if they;d stuck to their previous schedule.

By past history, we should have had some pre-release announcement about that by now. We haven't.

In fact, Fox seem to be totally silent on the subject. If there'd bene a right issue holding things up temporarily, we'd likely have heard something by now: studios know to do that. we haven't heard anything.

Usually, when a release suddenly stops partway through, and there's a grim silence, that's usually...bad news.

As in: "we've dumped it, but announcing this upsets people, so we'll just hope it quietly dies away whilst the fans continue to hope...in vain, as we know"

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

The comic book glut was based completely on an out of control speculation market. Nobody is hogging up "first printings" of Gomer Pyle and putting them in plastic with the backboard.

While there's a lot on the market, they aren't all aimed for the same demographic. They people buying Seinfeld aren't expected to flock to a display of Matlock. In the case of Voyage, people might slow down on buying them if they haven't finished the last volume or 2.

It could be worse - you could be stuck with the complete series with crummy transfers like Lost In Space.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I'd rather have a bad season four than none.

Re: AN IDEALOGICAL STALEMATE...FOR NOW!!!!!

That was Amazon, not Fox. They just bundled togther the first six half-season sets and sold them as a "set" at a discount.

Indeed, one might say, this is indicative that Amazon had a lot of unsold stock and were trying to get people to buy them.

It's no unusual for Amazon to bundle together stuff like this. AFAIK no other retailer has, or is, selling the three-season "set".

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I also feel that Fox will release Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea season 4 before the year is out.

I believe Fox will also give us "City Beneath the Sea" as a bonus on the last Voyage release be it in half seasons or the complete season. Fox may plan to even give us a model of Seaview and the Flying Sub such as they did with "Land of Giants.

I am sure Giants did or does not have the Fan base that Voyage has. Fox released the whole 2 seasons of Giants never the less. The fact of that alone also tends to give me hope.

I have heard it and read it from people who were not avid Voyage fans when it first aired. The response states the acting is superb and the restoration on each of the episodes is magnificent!!!

Statements have been given to me from friends who like me grew up watching Voyage every Sunday night but felt it was silly compared to Star Trek. I would argue to the contray and now I feel I have been vindicated.

The problems with the Voyage DVDs I was completely unaware of. The Voyage DVDs I have purchased have been just great. Enough said by me keep the faith.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

While that would be a great bonus for VOYAGE and Irwin Allen fans, CITY BENEATH THE SEA was a Warner Brothers property - at least it was back in 1971.

Harry

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I have a feeling we shall here an announcement about Season 4, Vol 1 on 15th April.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

Is this a personal feeling or is it from the same people who told you:

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

It’s a personal feeling, that’s the date when the Moebius SEAVIEW leaves the factory. All good things could happen at once and it’s on a Tuesday, we usually here announcements on Tuesdays.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

Irwin Allen's follow up to Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea. The great under sea adventure City Beneath The Sea was a Warner TV pilot. The show used films of the Flying Sub from Voyage and even included during the plot line. Time Tunnel props and main actors from both Voyage and the Time Tunnel. I hoped City would be part of Voyage 4th season. I shall look forward to season 4 and hope like all of us the release date will be forthcoming.

Thankyou Harry for the correction.

Mark

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I'm pretty sure that, during the city evacuation scene, you can spot the Seaview lurking in the background....

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

CITY BENEATH THE SEA had Robert Colbert from THE TMIE TUNNEL as one of the main actors. James Darren and Whit Bissell had smaller parts, along with Richard Basehart from VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA in a role as the President.

In some views of the under-sea complex, one can see the oval shape of the old TIME TUNNEL used as a view-port to the city of Pacifica.

I'd grabbed these screen captures from an old VHS tape I had of CITY BENEATH THE SEA for our TIME TUNNEL Fan Forum on Yahoo.

Harry

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

Well, it says on TVShowsOnDVD: Fox released their schedule to retailers for July...guess what's NOT in there.

This is about correct: Fox usually release schedule dates on either the first Wednesday or Thursday of each month, for three months after that date.

If we'd been getting Voyage in it;s June slot, we'd have heard last month...

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I also saw the Seaview in the movie. The worst news is perhaps Fox is not going to release season 4.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I was fairly optimistic earlier but feel quite certain now that Fox has abandoned VTTBOTS. My guess is that they were not encouraged by what I perceive to be a gradual drop off in sales with each half season set release. Probably sales for S1 and S2 were marginal in their eyes and it just got worse from there. Since FOX left fans hanging with "The Big Valley" by releasing the first half only to S2, I wouldn't put it past them to just pull the plug, in spite of the fact that the other big three IA shows were released in their entirety.

Ashame really, but then FOX never really understood how to package and market the IA shows from the beginning, so what is one to expect? Half season sets/full series release (LOTG), dual sided discs/single-sided, great prints/ lousy prints (LIS), DVD-14s/DVD-9s, artwork consistent with series concept/generic (Time Tunnel)...have I left out anything?

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

Found this e-mail address foxdrop@4icc.com, all Voyage Fans e-mail them now about Season 4.

Setting Santa Barbara against Springfield!

Since joining this discussion on March 28, I’ll admit to becoming more pessimistic over the lack of news on Season Four of VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. Of course, I’d feel better if we heard either way – OFFICIALLY – from someone at FOX. If only they’d see how active this thread is, I’m certain it would help move their thinking in our direction. Again, it’s a pity that this thread – or the elements of it that deal with Season Four – cannot somehow be directed to FOX.

Still, until there’s official word or a year or so passes without a Season Four Release, I won’t abandon hope… especially when considering the following – which I add is STRICTLY my own analysis of the situation, and nothing more.

In my earlier post, I wondered if there just isn’t a general slowdown in the release of TV DVD product because of an overall glut. Taking that further, I decided to compare the release schedule of VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA to that of an unquestioned cash-cow for FOX – THE SIMPSONS.

The last regular Season Set release for THE SIMPSONS was Season 10 – on AUGUST 07, 2007, with no announcement of Season 11 of which I am aware. And I monitor tvshowsondvd.com every day, as I suspect most of you do.

The last regular Season Set release for VOYAGE was Season 3, Volume 2 – on OCTOBER 23, 2007 (over two months later), with no announcement of Season 4, as we are all aware.

Yes, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE was released by FOX on December 18, 2007… but I do not count that as part of the regular TV season run. It appeared in relation to its box office premiere as any film would. So, a survey of release dates for THE SIMPSONS reveals TWO RELEASES EACH in 2004 (S4 and S5), 2005 (S6 and S7), and 2006 (S8 and S9 – I should know, I got ‘em all!) …BUT only ONE Season release (S10) in 2007!

…And, like VOYAGE, no announcement yet for 2008!

To better equate things, over the period of VOYAGE’S three released seasons (2006-present), there were also three released seasons of THE SIMPSONS.

Surely, THE SIMPSONS, as a DVD release, is more profitable than VOYAGE will ever be… yet there has been only one Season Set released in 2007, and there are at least eight (and counting) more seasons to go -- so there’s no reason for FOX to hold back on them if they can cash in on another release in the first half of 2008.

Given this, I can only imagine that the reason I don’t already have THE SIMPSONS Season 11 is because FOX has slowed its release schedule IN GENERAL in response to the glut and other national economic factors. And, I’d like to think that this applies to VOYAGE as well. Of course, I’d still like to hear from FOX…

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I too joined this thread late in the game. I also hold out hope for Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea season 4. I would also be willing to pay more if Fox would release it in a limited addition the complete year thru perhaps Amazon.

Like everyone else it would be nice to hear from Fox that the show is in restoration to be ready for a 2008 release.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

Joe raises a very interesting and significant point, that I hadn't considered. It is indeed surprising that The Simpsons has seemingly suffered the same fate - all the more so, given the publicity surrounding the movie. Studios usually take advantage of that to push "related" products. Although they do continue to release the wearisome Stargate franchise. Also oddly enough The 70's Show (presumably, because it;s cheap).

One also cannot but wonder if the Voyage Season Four guest stars (such as Vincent Price) present a problem, if their estates are demanding more than the regulars are.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

The observation on guest star royalties another good point. Has anyone availed themsevles of the email address provided here for Fox.

I just hoped that they would this summer say the complete last year will be out in October. Pre orederd thur Amazon only and limited release.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

Richard Gregory adds an additional point to my own. You’d think that there WOULD HAVE BEEN a Season 11 Set for THE SIMPSONS released in conjunction with the SIMPSONS MOVIE. But, there wasn’t, and that raises even more of a question over FOX’s general release strategy. If there’s no such announcement for THE SIMPSONS, I feel a bit less concerned about the silence for VOYAGE Season 4.

I’d never heard of guest star royalties posing a problem for TV DVD releases. Has it happened? Vincent Price appeared in F-TROOP Season Two, so I don’t think his presence would become a factor for VOYAGE.

Indeed, Irwin Allen never used “big name guest stars”, but preferred a stable of solid, enjoyable (less expensive) character actors to do his shows. Virtually ALL of the 4th Season guests have already appeared on other DVD series sets in my collection.

Prior seasons of Voyage, Lost in Space, Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants, Star Trek,
F-Troop, Wild Wild West, Outer Limits, Ironside, and Kolchak the Night Stalker.

But, it’s a strange world, and entertainment is a strange business… so nothing could completely surprise me!

And, to Mark Collins: To whom would that e-mail address go to? Does it actually go to someone at 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment who might do us some good? Just curious because the address goes to a “4icc.com”.

Re: E-Mail Address

Actually, looking back, it was James C. to whom I should direct that question. Sorry, James.

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

Just for reference, these are the season 4 guest stars according to the IMDb. It may not be totally complete, but here it is anyway:

Barry Atwater

Bart La Rue

Bradd Arnold

Brent Davis

Bruce Mars

Chris Robinson

Damian O'Flynn

Denver Mattson

Don Dubbins

Don Matheson

Dusty Cadis

Eric Matthews

Frank Babich

Gene Dynarski

George Robotham

Henry Jones

Howard Culver

Jackie Basehart

Janos Prohaska

Jim Gosa

Jock Gaynor

Joe E. Tata

John Crawford

Jon Lormer

Kevin Hagen

Lawrence Montaigne

Malachi Throne

Marco López

Michael Pate

Nick Dimitri

Patrick Culliton

Paul Mantee

Perry Lopez

Peter Mark Richman

Ralph Garrett

Ron Stein

Seymour Cassel

Skip Homeier

Ted Jordan

Thom Brann

Troy Melton

Victor Jory

Victor Lundin

Vincent Price

Walter Burke

Warren Stevens

William Beckley

Woodrow Parfrey

Harry

Re: When are We going to see a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea DVD Release?!!!!!

I wondered where it would go but emailed anyway. I also emailed Fox before this and 2 weeks later was told nothing planned for the series which was just a standard response.

I must adimit the longer this goes on the more discouraged I am.