Slow time of the Year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesSmith 

 

Dear TV DVD Friends:

 

I guess it's the slow time of the year. The after Christmas/ New Year's dropoff, when things seem to drag.

 

The fourth quarter of the year, is the time when many companies make their profit for the year, and the first quarter . . . the slowdown (not that there aren't any pleasant surprises), but there hasn't been the quantity of news concerning classic tv releases as we've had before.

 

Anybody else notice this?

 

James

Hi James,

I have feel the same way you do. I have only notice the following of interest too me: Hawaii Five-O (S11), Vega$ (S2-V2), Emergency! Greatest Rescue, total recall (series), Spin City, Logan's Run, etc. I am thinking this will be a slow year for dvds, especially if you based it on trends the past few years. The 1Q and 4Q tend to be best for releases. So, the fact we are seeing light 1Q it does not bold well for the rest of the year. If this is the case then i will be shopping for bargains, like Mission Impossible, Man from Uncle and/or other shows on sale.

My collection has most of the shows that i want. I am looking forward for more WB archives on the cartoons, especially release of Gilligan coming along with prior release of Speed Buggy/Addams Family/Funky Phamtom. I would be happy herculoids/jabberjaw and banana splits was released this year.

     Quote:

Originally Posted by younger1968 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesSmith 

Dear TV DVD Friends:

 

I guess it's the slow time of the year. The after Christmas/ New Year's dropoff, when things seem to drag.

 

The fourth quarter of the year, is the time when many companies make their profit for the year, and the first quarter . . . the slowdown (not that there aren't any pleasant surprises), but there hasn't been the quantity of news concerning classic tv releases as we've had before.

 

Anybody else notice this?

 

James

Hi James,

 

I have feel the same way you do. I have only notice the following of interest too me: Hawaii Five-O (S11), Vega$ (S2-V2), Emergency! Greatest Rescue, total recall (series), Spin City, Logan's Run, etc. I am thinking this will be a slow year for dvds, especially if you based it on trends the past few years. The 1Q and 4Q tend to be best for releases. So, the fact we are seeing light 1Q it does not bold well for the rest of the year. If this is the case then i will be shopping for bargains, like Mission Impossible, Man from Uncle and/or other shows on sale.

 

My collection has most of the shows that i want. I am looking forward for more WB archives on the cartoons, especially release of Gilligan coming along with prior release of Speed Buggy/Addams Family/Funky Phamtom. I would be happy herculoids/jabberjaw and banana splits was released this year.

James & Paul,

Agree, my take on it is similar.  I also have most of what I'd want to collect for now.  There's enough on the shelf to last me a long time.

I have the following in the que thru the end of March.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Willis 

     Quote:

Originally Posted by younger1968 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesSmith 

Dear TV DVD Friends:

 

I guess it's the slow time of the year. The after Christmas/ New Year's dropoff, when things seem to drag.

 

The fourth quarter of the year, is the time when many companies make their profit for the year, and the first quarter . . . the slowdown (not that there aren't any pleasant surprises), but there hasn't been the quantity of news concerning classic tv releases as we've had before.

 

Anybody else notice this?

 

James

Hi James,

 

I have feel the same way you do. I have only notice the following of interest too me: Hawaii Five-O (S11), Vega$ (S2-V2), Emergency! Greatest Rescue, total recall (series), Spin City, Logan's Run, etc. I am thinking this will be a slow year for dvds, especially if you based it on trends the past few years. The 1Q and 4Q tend to be best for releases. So, the fact we are seeing light 1Q it does not bold well for the rest of the year. If this is the case then i will be shopping for bargains, like Mission Impossible, Man from Uncle and/or other shows on sale.

 

My collection has most of the shows that i want. I am looking forward for more WB archives on the cartoons, especially release of Gilligan coming along with prior release of Speed Buggy/Addams Family/Funky Phamtom. I would be happy herculoids/jabberjaw and banana splits was released this year.

James & Paul,

 

Agree, my take on it is similar.  I also have most of what I'd want to collect for now.  There's enough on the shelf to last me a long time.

 

I have the following in the que thru the end of March.

 

 

MANNIX S4	01/04/11
MATLOCK S6	01/25/11
THE FUGITIVE S4 V2	02/15/11
SCARECROW & MRS KING S2	03/22/11
VEGAS S2 V2	03/29/11
DENNIS THE MENACE S1  (rare pre-order)	03/29/11

I would be happy if the following happen this year

1. Hawaii five-o was completed

2. Adam-12 was completed

3. Vegas Completed

4. Night Gallery Completed

I have ordered Growing Pains, but, it makes me think it will be another 5 years for next season. Growing Pains was the best when Mike was in HS.

Absoultely amazing! With titles being announced up until May,there's only one must-get on my list - Vega$ S2,V2.

I would agree with you that it is appearing to be a very slow year for releases. My order schedule has the following: 1. Spin City S4 2. Total Recall 2070 3.Vegas S2-V2 3. Emergency The Greatest Rescue 4. Dallas The movies

I am waiting for the announcement on Hawaii Five-O as there was talk that S11 was coming out in Apr-May time frame.

I may look at some complete series, like Mission Impossible and/or Brady Bunch. It all depends on budget and few other things.

I am also waiting for the availability of Speed Buggy and eventually jabberjaw/new adventures of Gilligan

I applaud the forum likes this allow us to share are concerns along with different websites that do an excellent job on keeping us up-to-date on the releases.

I think what frustrates me with dvd process is that whole market exploded in 2003-2007 with releases. The great recession cut into consumer spending, thus everything was cutback. However, the concerning part to me is that networks release several shows, instead of having a proper plan, like start with demand shows and complete those shows first before you release other shows. If you look at S1 releases only you will see the following

1. Silverspoons

2. Benson

3. One day at a time

4. SWAT

5. Rookies

6. Police Women

7. fantasy island

8. Kojak

I think it is catch-22 and that is you need to buy the shows if you have any hope the remaining seasons being released. I have concern with buying S1 and then not seeing anything happen for 3-5 years. So, lately i have focused on shows that are completed or nearly completed. I also shop for bargains, especially on completed sets.

I feel i have done my part to support the dvd market with my collection. My dvd collection is the only tv that i watch anymore. The reality shows or scripted reality shows have been around for a decade or more. It seems there is revival of the old shows, but, i am not sure what the traction will be on those shows. One has to think to what is going on in hollywood, especially orignality.

It's true. Let's face it. The only company putting any classic tv out on dvd is Shout Factory. Everyone else seems to have stopped cold turkey. And Shout has even slowed down just a bit, not issuing as many titles in the classic department as they used to.

There still are shows needing completion. But the major studios aren't doing it. And most independent studios aren't exactly encouraged by the high licensing prices. So, how it will be resolved is anybody's guess. There just might not be any releases until someone sees there is money to be made.

For the record, here are some titles I wish would get picked up again:

MAMA'S FAMILY

HART TO HART

LAVERNE & SHIRLEY

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW!!

HAZEL (yes, it is finally coming)

And some new ones that no one has even discussed yet:

IT'S A LIVING

ANGIE

A TOUCH OF GRACE

PRIVATE BENJAMIN

9 TO 5

GLORIA

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesSmith 

 

 

It's March, and instead of the releases picking up, it feels like they're slowing down even more.

Brother! I must be spoiled, if the highlight of my day is waiting to see what new Hanna Barbara releases are coming from the Warner Brothers Archives.

And here, in the newspapers, it was mentioned that luxery items were picking up again. I was hoping that meant,  Classic tv DVD releases might start climbing again.

 

 

James

Hey James, i have been monitoring the different sites and it appears that we are in for an incredible slow year for releases. I am happy that shows are being completed this year, like Dallas, Emergency! and there is hope that with S11 coming out for hawaii five-o that this show will be completed. I am very surprised that we have not seen more releases of Adam-12, since there is on S6/S7 to come out and they have pushed out more dragnet.

I have been monitoring HB's stuff, but, it is not available as of yet too me and it should be available over the next month or so. I am very interested in valley of the dinosaurs, speed buggy, jabberjaw, funky phantom and new adventures of gilligans. I am sure there will be more HB and i hope this means i will see the herculoids and the finishing of wait till your father gets home.

I am also using this year to buy some deals, like Mission Impossible, Brady Bunch and the Man from Uncle. I basically have majority of the shows that i want to collect and may just shop bargains and cut back my expenditures over the next few years. I have doubts that some of my shows in my collection will ever be completed and i will cross that path when certain shows come out.

I have also notice double dipping this year with shows like Adam-12 and Marcus Welby releasing best episodes disk releases. So, i am wondering if the studios are gauging next releases based on this information.

If i could have wish list for my top five then the following would be it (completed series)

1. SWAT

2. Charlie's Angels

3. Night Gallery

4. Silk Stalkings

5. Baa Baa Black Sheep

Looking forward to the following DVD releases this year (2011) ...

MARCH

29TH - Here's Lucy: Season 4, Dennis the Menace: Season 1

APRIL

12TH - Dragnet 60s: Season 4 (final season)

26TH - The Lucy Show: Season 4, Growing Pains: Season 2

MAY

17TH - All in the Family: Season 9 (final season)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert13 

It's true. Let's face it. The only company putting any classic tv out on dvd is Shout Factory. Everyone else seems to have stopped cold turkey. And Shout has even slowed down just a bit, not issuing as many titles in the classic department as they used to.

 

Robert, I'd have to guess you are not a western fan. TMG has released S1 of Laramie, S3 of Virginian, and is slated to release S4 of Virginian and S3 of Wagon Train in May. I wouldn't be surprised by at least one more season this year of bothVvirginian and Wagon Train. Image is actively also pushing out the Twilight Zone's on blu-ray, not a new show to a release but a new format at least. So not everyone has stopped cold turkey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesSmith 

 

I've heard such varied things about the economy. The USA Today reports that the "rich" are starting to buy luxery items again, but other news --gas prices going up with the turmoil in Libya, some stock markets still not stable, etc.

 

What does it take for a tv fan to get his favorite obscure show out on DVD?

      Having the money to start up your own DVD company and then licensing the obscure shows you want out and then releasing them. Short of that, not much. In the 80s, many of us were able to pick up our beloved obscurities through many different sources, such as new cable networks which were hungry for product and short on cash. They were picking up all kinds of short-run series. Even overseas, networks in England ran things that had never re-aired in North America. Back then, distributors still maintained 16mm syndication print libraries so any show anyone wanted to buy was available. When everything went to tape, a massive amount of series became unavailable. Even once popular shows like Our Miss Brooks, December Bride and many others ceased to be offered. So really, there's nothing you can do. The only hope at this point, and I mean the ONLY hope, is that burn on demand catches on and studios decide to empty the vaults. Even then, its highly doubtful that the promise of selling a couple of hundred copies of an obscure show would move a studio to go to the expense of a film transfer.

double post

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theodore J. Mooney 

Looking forward to the following DVD releases this year (2011) ...

 

MARCH

29TH - Here's Lucy: Season 4, Dennis the Menace: Season 1

 

APRIL

12TH - Dragnet 60s: Season 4 (final season)

26TH - The Lucy Show: Season 4, Growing Pains: Season 2

 

MAY

17TH - All in the Family: Season 9 (final season)

 

 

Hey Theodore, It is good to see that you are happy with the release schedule. I am looking forward to Emergency! Greatest Rescues, Vegas S2-V2, Deadman Gun S2, Hawaii Five-O S11, etc. I was hoping that Adam-12 S6 would be out by now as there is only S6/S7 left to released. I also have order S6-V1 of Melrose Place as well. The news of releases has been few and far between. I am actually using this year to complete my collection on some different shows. I basically have many shows i want in my completion.

I am also looking forward to more HB releases, especially if Sealab comes out along with herculoids, etc. I love re-living the Saturday morning cartoons, it is too bad they could not include the saturday morning preview shows with the releases. I remember as kid waiting for the preview show to tell me what was coming out on saturday.
 

I still believe this year appears to be one of slowest ever for dvd releases. I know that its only April 2011, but, Jan-Jun are typically the strongest part of the release schedule. The only announcement coming out after june has been the Simpsons. June 2011 looks very light and i have notice july-august tend to be light if you look at the past results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by younger1968 

I still believe this year appears to be one of slowest ever for dvd releases. I know that its only April 2011, but, Jan-Jun are typically the strongest part of the release schedule. The only announcement coming out after june has been the Simpsons. June 2011 looks very light and i have notice july-august tend to be light if you look at the past results.

 

 

Agree, it's slowed down a lot so far this year.  I have a few sets in the Amazon cart but the list is short.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Willis 

 

Agree, it's slowed down a lot so far this year.  I have a few sets in the Amazon cart but the list is short.
 

 

Currently, I have only hawaii five-o S11, Dallas the movies and Melrose Place S6-V1 out for order. I was hoping to see Adam-12, S6 come out this year, but it does not appear to be on shout factory's list for release. I am using this year to buy WB Archive cartoons, like Jabberjaw, Valley of Dinosaurs, New Adventures of Gilligans, etc. I also want to purchase Mission impossible and hope they package the fugitive as well as complete set. Man from uncle is also on my list.

To be honest i have 63 completed shows now and have just about all the shows i want. I would love to complete shows like Night Gallery, SWAT, Adam-12 and Hawaii Five-O.
 

     Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Willis 

Agree, it's slowed down a lot so far this year.  I have a few sets in the Amazon cart but the list is short.

Yeah, the slowdown has definitely hit.  But for Shout and Timeless, things would be beyond grim for me in terms of upcoming releases.  There were only six releases in the first quarter that interested me, and I've yet to pick up half of those because even they weren't high priority sets.  The second quarter schedule, thus far, only boasts of four "must buy" releases for me.  Only four! I can't tell you the last time I was only looking at four dvd sets for the 2nd quarter of the year.  It's possible another couple of sets might be announced, but even if that's the case this year has seen a huge slowdown when it comes to Classic TV. 

Gary "if Shout & Timeless are taken out of the equation my purchases slow down to almost a trickle" O.

Because I've started watching Classic Doctor Who serials, I'm guaranteed at least one new release a month through the end of 2012... and most times two per month.

Other than that, though, the well seems a bit dry. Even Shout has been unable to follow-up on shows like Facts of Life and Rhoda. And what looks like Fox's policy of one season per year of The Simpsons is more than pathetic.
 

     Quote:

Originally Posted by younger1968 

Currently, I have only hawaii five-o S11, Dallas the movies and Melrose Place S6-V1 out for order. I was hoping to see Adam-12, S6 come out this year, but it does not appear to be on shout factory's list for release. I am using this year to buy WB Archive cartoons, like Jabberjaw, Valley of Dinosaurs, New Adventures of Gilligans, etc. I also want to purchase Mission impossible and hope they package the fugitive as well as complete set. Man from uncle is also on my list.

 

To be honest i have 63 completed shows now and have just about all the shows i want. I would love to complete shows like Night Gallery, SWAT, Adam-12 and Hawaii Five-O.
 

 

I want to see Adam-12 completed big-time.  With 2 more to go, this one might make it.  It would be great to peek at those sales #'s for S5.
 

     Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary OS 

Yeah, the slowdown has definitely hit.  But for Shout and Timeless, things would be beyond grim for me in terms of upcoming releases.  There were only six releases in the first quarter that interested me, and I've yet to pick up half of those because even they weren't high priority sets.  The second quarter schedule, thus far, only boasts of four "must buy" releases for me.  Only four! I can't tell you the last time I was only looking at four dvd sets for the 2nd quarter of the year.  It's possible another couple of sets might be announced, but even if that's the case this year has seen a huge slowdown when it comes to Classic TV. 

 

Gary "if Shout & Timeless are taken out of the equation my purchases slow down to almost a trickle" O.

I looked at my runway list and I have two Q2 releases there.  Low.  I haven't heard of anything beyond Rawhide S4V1 on 06/07 that I'm interested in buying.
 

      Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Willis 

I looked at my runway list and I have two Q2 releases there.  Low.  I haven't heard of anything beyond Rawhide S4V1 on 06/07 that I'm interested in buying.

My Q2 looks like this in terms of what I'm interested in:

Rawhide S4, V1

Car 54 Where Are You? S1

Father Knows Best S6

Wagon Train S3

I have a couple more that are very low priority and I'll probably buy when they are reduced drastically in price (50% or more discount):

Bionic Woman S2

Virginian S4

And that's it for me.  There's nothing else I'm aware of right now. 

Gary "it's been a very slow first half of the year for classic TV on DVD" O.

Gary:

No interest in the Ernie Kovacs box set that's due out the same week as FKB 6?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Obsolete Man 

Gary:

No interest in the Ernie Kovacs box set that's due out the same week as FKB 6?

Hi all,

I think slow dvd release feed into discussion with WB Home video last year when they were very non-committal on releases. I remember the discussion, especially for the cartoons that if you want more then buy the Saturday Morning sets. I purchased the Saturday Morning sets (V1/V2) and they did have some good cartoons, but, they really just had me wanted more in the Cartoons. My biggest concerns as the years go by each year then the market for classic tv starts to shrink. People age 35 and under are not going to be interested in many shows that are 30+ years and older and lets face it that shows 1981 and earlier are going to cost more to re-mastered along with rights, etc. I love to have more WKRP, but people complain about the music and studio was not going to invest much of their budgets to resolve the problem. I could say that many shows that are like 1 and done:

1. Benson

2. One Day at a time

3. SWAT

4. Fall Guy

5. Silverspoons

There are also many shows that release S1-S3 and nothing more. I have got so frustration, especially with shows like growing pains. Growing Pain S1 came out like 5+ years ago and now in April S2 is coming out. I originally order the set, but decided against it because i wanted to focus on completed shows that are currently available. If i see deals on Growing Pains then i may purchased it down the road, but, not now. I know it is catch 22 that if you don't buy the sets then the studio will not release more. I am ok with that, because it is not like they have done a banner job with managing the releases anyway. I think many studios jumped on the box sets in mid 2000s and then market dry out. I believe now many studios have cut back their departments along with their budgets and are looking at different ways to released the set. I can see more archive online happening with the studio. That is good alternative, but, if they do not atleast do quality control especially on dust and/or image then you will not get crisps images. I notice some issues with the cartoons, like funky phantom. Another poster said there was an issue with funky phantom disk 4 and if you check disk 4 then you will see it appears to be dust or something happen with a few frames. I am not being critical, but the reality is that quality may suffer if studios push too much out via on demand/online.