Which countries are known to release U.S. TV series that haven't been released in the U.S.? (1 Viewer)

[Desslar]

In searching for unreleased U.S. (and UK) TV series, I have gotten in the habit of checking Amazon sites for Germany, Japan, Australia, and the UK, as sometimes something will turn up that is unavailable elsewhere, whether it is a first release on DVD or Blu ray, or an unedited or special edition.

I noticed a thread pop up today that says France is also a good source for hard to find series.

Are there any countries I am missing that are worth keeping an eye on? Canada? Italy? Spain? Other?

Also, is there a better way to keep an eye out for new international releases than checking Amazon? Cheers!

 

[jayembee]

In searching for unreleased U.S. (and UK) TV series, I have gotten in the habit of checking Amazon sites for Germany, Japan, Australia, and the UK, as sometimes something will turn up that is unavailable elsewhere, whether it is a first release on DVD or Blu ray, or an unedited or special edition.

Those are about the only ones I've found worth checking out. But I confess to not doing a lot of searching for a quite a few years, so I might be out of date.

I noticed a thread pop up today that says France is also a good source for hard to find series.

I've come across some titles from France that have fit the bill for more, but more often than not, I've been frustrated with seeing ones that aren't English-friendly.

Are there any countries I am missing that are worth keeping an eye on? Canada? Italy? Spain? Other?

Can't think of any. I hate to say it, but I've generally found Canada to be a lost cause. They don't seem particularly interested in releasing their own shows on disc, let alone US series. It's gob-smacking, for example, that more seasons of Da Vinci's Inquest were released on DVD by Acorn in the US (S1-3) than were released by I-forget-who in Canada (S1 only).

On the other hand, I'll admit that in searching TV-on-DVD availability in Canada, I've mostly focused on Canadian series than American. And, of course, VEI is a Canadian outfit, and they've done reasonably well for releasing shows that don't seem to be available anywhere else.

Also, is there a better way to keep an eye out for new international releases than checking Amazon? Cheers!

Well, for Australia, the obvious thing to do is to check out the company sites/shops for Via Vision (which includes Imprint) and Umbrella.

Back in the day, I would often order from CD Japan. Haven't done so in ages, though. And for UK, it's worth checking out Rarewaves (who also has shops through eBay and Amazon Marketplace, but I've preferred to order from them direct).

 

[Desslar]

Those are about the only ones I've found worth checking out. But I confess to not doing a lot of searching for a quite a few years, so I might be out of date.



I've come across some titles from France that have fit the bill for more, but more often than not, I've been frustrated with seeing ones that aren't English-friendly.



Can't think of any. I hate to say it, but I've generally found Canada to be a lost cause. They don't seem particularly interested in releasing their own shows on disc, let alone US series. It's gob-smacking, for example, that more seasons of Da Vinci's Inquest were released on DVD by Acorn in the US (S1-3) than were released by I-forget-who in Canada (S1 only).

On the other hand, I'll admit that in searching TV-on-DVD availability in Canada, I've mostly focused on Canadian series than American. And, of course, VEI is a Canadian outfit, and they've done reasonably well for releasing shows that don't seem to be available anywhere else.



Well, for Australia, the obvious thing to do is to check out the company sites/shops for Via Vision (which includes Imprint) and Umbrella.

Back in the day, I would often order from CD Japan. Haven't done so in ages, though. And for UK, it's worth checking out Rarewaves (who also has shops through eBay and Amazon Marketplace, but I've preferred to order from them direct).

Thanks for the very thorough answer! As you said, I hadn't really considered France before as I assumed that any releases might not be English friendly.

I have been looking at a lot of Rarewaves listings as I try to pick up Network titles.

 

[Dave Lawrence]

I see that Elephant Films is releasing Season 6 of Fantasy Island at the end of this month. Per their site, this set will include the English audio as well as French.

Link

ETA: Upon further browsing, I see that they will also release Season 7 in November. That will complete the series. (Wish EF had access to Love Boat as well.)

Link

 

[Desslar]

I see that Elephant Films is releasing Season 6 of Fantasy Island at the end of this month. Per their site, this set will include the English audio as well as French.

Link

ETA: Upon further browsing, I see that they will also release Season 7 in November. That will complete the series. (Wish EF had access to Love Boat as well.)

Link

Might be good practice to hear it in French, but don't really like the series enough to buy it.

 

[LouA]

I wonder if and fifties, early sixties shows escaped? I know there were a few in Germany, Run Buddy Run, and Tammy.

 

[rmw650]

Surprised that this show hasn't finished up towards completion here in the States. I believe the first four seasons have been released so far, with three to go. Why the delay, I wonder?

 

[jayembee]

I see that Elephant Films is releasing Season 6 of Fantasy Island at the end of this month. Per their site, this set will include the English audio as well as French.

ETA: Upon further browsing, I see that they will also release Season 7 in November. That will complete the series.

Tempting. I've never been particularly interested in this series (didn't watch it when it was originally broadcast), but a couple of episodes were written by a favorite TV/comics/SF writer, Alan Brennert. He wrote one of the stories in episodes 612 ("Room and Bard"), 618 ("Touch and Go"), and 701 ("The Other Man -- Mr. Roarke"). It'd be nice to have copies of these episodes, but I'm not sure I want them enough to import.

 

[lrachiele]

to darby67

 

[lrachiele]

Just wonder is anybody is trying to get the Defenders with E.G. Marshall. Shout Factory has issued the first season only though I have about 20 from private venders in season s 2 thru 4.

 

[Neil Brock]

Australia, England, France and Germany, although sometimes you can't get the English soundtrack. France put out later seasons of Baretta but no English. Likewise Germany with Kentucky Jones, The Detectives, Run Buddy Run and Pistols 'n' Petticoats.