Old shows released on DVD (OT)

[Rob Brown]

Can anyone shed light on why it is that more & more obscure shows are being released on dvd when this sort of thing never happened in the days of vhs?

I remember at least 10-15 yrs ago it was reckoned that to release and even lightly promote a vhs tape was reckoned to be about £70k for a typical tv show (with rights clearances etc). Nowadays it seems that ever more off-beat material is on commercial sale (which is great) but why the change? Is it cheaper to do these days or is public demand that much greater? Anyone?

[Nosmo King]

I'd say the "market" for niche material such as "vintage TV" releases has changed beyond recognition from 15 years ago ...

Online stocking and availability must have a lot to do with this .. together with far better niche marketing often via web sites - such as this forum and many others - which "enthusiasts" can tap into via a computer in the home or elsewher - much easier than the pre internet age.

I suspect costs are also reduced compared with before through improvements in technology.

So lots of factors but basically the much smaller market for "VHS sales" compared with the cheaper and more available DVD sell through market which can sustain specialist interests with "only" a few hundred sales for niche titles - or so it seems.

[Treve Brown]

As you say the net must have changed things, but I'm intrigued as to your theory that small sales are ok with dvd.

I notice that Public Eye series 1 & 2 are now being sold by their manufacturer at half price (http://www.networkdvd.co.uk/product.php?GROUP_ID=28&PROD_ID=168). Now does that mean that the dvds are selling badly or that they were horrendously overpriced in the first place. What WOULD the production run on a set like this - does anyone here know?

[Nosmo King]

Treve said:

I notice that Public Eye series 1 & 2 are now being sold by their manufacturer at half price (http://www.networkdvd.co.uk/product.php?GROUP_ID=28&PROD_ID=168). Now does that mean that the dvds are selling badly or that they were horrendously overpriced in the first place. What WOULD the production run on a set like this - does anyone here know?

I don't know the actual sales figures for "Public Eye" .. obviously they'll probably remain commercially sensitive information and not for public announcement.

I think that title almost certainly first appeared as there were a number of *insiders* with "some" clout who rated the show very highly. I suspect it hasn't sold as well as expectations - which were probably on the lowish side anyway - but might have been hindered further by a "Network" web exclusive price which seemed way way high for the general buyer and obviously the fan base turned out much lower than expected (the problems with ordering on the Network site at the time can not have helped either) - maybe a few "big" fans overestimated the appeal compared to the old film adventure series or other types of programme.

Since opening up to full online competition the price has as you say dropped dramatically ... in time it'll probably shift enough to cover it's costs. £13 or so seem a very good deal for the 1969 set ... assuming the title interests at all.

The second 1971 series release - straight away more reasonably priced and available everywhere obviously hasn't set the world alight with sales as the next 1972 series has not been announced very quickly .. it may do OK in the long run .. but as with anything large discounts probably mean they need to shift surplus sets.

It's interesting that most of the series on the Network site are now "discounted" to common online prices at Play, Amazon, Bensons etc. There are exceptions .. "Thriller" still at £99, with Amazon now pricing it at a penny below £70! Maybe "Thriller" has sold particularly well and doesn't need a discount .. I pity anybody buying it direct from Network though .. a huge difference in price!

[williamM]

Treve said:

As you say the net must have changed things, but I'm intrigued as to your theory that small sales are ok with dvd.

I notice that Public Eye series 1 & 2 are now being sold by their manufacturer at half price (http://www.networkdvd.co.uk/product.php?GROUP_ID=28&PROD_ID=168). Now does that mean that the dvds are selling badly or that they were horrendously overpriced in the first place. What WOULD the production run on a set like this - does anyone here know?

I should think the price is a bit of both plus the generaly depressed sales, people too often think that the higher the price the higher the profit, if only customers could be compelled to buy.

[Wright Blan]

I think it definetly has to do with the tech aspect, along with an economic one. Not many people would spend a hundres of dollars to get full runs their favorite shows on vhs. I won't even begin to deal with the storage problems With DVD, however you can get a complete run of a five season or so show for around one to two hundred, depending on the show's popularity. It's usually the bells and whistles that will increase the cost. Which explains why I still don't own Star Trek