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Why would the studios release... (re:tv shows)

post #1 of 4
12/14/06 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
We all know certain shows will sell well (Trek, Simpsons,etc). But, with regards to shows that only one season is released. Why would the studios keep releasing other shows which would probably have similar sales results? For example Universal releases Quincy and it seems to not have sold well enough for another season. Yet, they then will release a show like McCloud and they get similar results. I understand they are taking a chance to see if it might be a show that somehow outsells other shows. But, all they are doing by doing one and done. Is frustrating fans and those who have bought the show. They should just release the rest of the seasons of these shows. Most don't have music rights issues. And most are bare-bones so costs should be minimal. If they are afraid of having excess stock. Maybe, they can license the show to another smaller company or even team up with a store (Circuit City, Amazon, etc) and do exclusive preorder runs. Or try selling the shows at a low price point $14.99(?) instead of $29.99 to $39.99. I can't see the cost to produce the show being more than $4-$5. And most of these shows aren't syndicated anywhere. So whatever money you make is more than you would having not released it.
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post #2 of 4
12/14/06 at 11:32am

Re: Why would the studios release... (re:tv shows)

Why are some series one and done when it comes to a DVD release? Probably for the same reason they fail to get renewed during original broadcast. They aren't making enough money to justify continued investment. Could some kind of coproduction scheme be worked out, as you suggest, in order to complete a release? Possibly, but it still involves allocating resources that may be needed for more profitable ventures. To fans it may seem like the right thing. To accountants and stockholders it may seem like an irresponsible use of funds.
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post #3 of 4
12/14/06 at 1:54pm

Re: Why would the studios release... (re:tv shows)

Quote:
Originally Posted by todd s
And most of these shows aren't syndicated anywhere. So whatever money you make is more than you would having not released it.

Except that losing money is also possible.
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post #4 of 4
12/15/06 at 1:22am

Re: Why would the studios release... (re:tv shows)

Well the studios never release a title thinking " oh this is sure to fail!" They always have decent expectations of a series' viability on dvd. The rest is up to us. So Quincy didn't sell? I'm not surprised. I'd expect fairly low sales on that. Other times a series comes out of nowhere and is a sleeper hit. You just never know, and neither do the studios. And yes, I've always maintained that either the studios need to learn to market their classic tv shows better, or lease them out to boutique studios like Rhino or Anchor Bay who know how to tap into the nostalgia market.
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