Television shows — even obscure titles — are being released each month in DVD format, and they are selling like never before. Entertainment studios are seizing this opportunity.
Gord Lacey, creator of the Web site tvshowsondvd.com, said there did not seem to be a way for people wishing to express to entertainment companies which shows they would like to see released on DVD. In November 2001, he created a Web site in response to this problem, he said.
The site, which includes a section where members can express their interest in a particular television show they would like to see in DVD format, boasts a visitor count of 40,000 people each day, he said.
Lacey said he maintains contact with virtually all major studios, as well as most medium-sized studios. Studios use the site because it promotes their products and fans like it because they are seeing their favorite old and new shows, shows they specifically asked for — in DVD format — he said. Lacey said some studios are conducting their own research about which titles consumers want to see, while others are turning to Web sites created by viewers, such as his own.
The practice of cataloging — timing the release of specific DVDs to coincide with a current event or movie — is being utilized by more entertainment studios.
In October 2004, 20th Century Fox released a first-season DVD of its comedy series, “Arrested Development.” The release was two weeks before the second season premiere on Nov. 7.
Robert Bienvenu, promotions manager of local affiliate Fox 44, said that the Baton Rouge area ratings for “Arrested Development” have risen since the release. The rise was probably a result of the DVD release, a change in schedule and added exposure as a result of a marathon that ran on FX, Bienvenu said.
Lacey said Fox, guided by executive vice president of marketing, Peter Staddon, used cataloging to boost the ratings for the second seasons of both “24” and “The Shield.” Lacey said the steps Fox is taking are positive for TV DVD enthusiasts.
Lacey said that studios are becoming less afraid to release relatively unknown shows, cancelled shows that received poor viewer ratings while on the air and even some shows that were cancelled before the conclusion of the first season. A smaller, less-known show may have a more active fan base where a majority of the fans are deeply invested in the program and would purchase the DVD, he said. Although a more popular show has a larger fan base, the smaller show likely is selling more copies of their DVD, he said.
Blake Lugash, Blockbuster’s corporate headquarters representative, said that TV DVDs are doing well in the rental arena also.
“Rentals for TV on DVD have always been popular, but now there is more of a selection, which helps,” he said.
Lacey said he originally began his Web site to encourage the release of a “Family Guy” DVD. Volumes One and Two were released in 2003, and episodes were played on Cartoon Network. A best-of DVD, titled “The Freakin’ Sweet Collection DVD,” was released December of last year. Because of the unforeseen high DVD sales (Volume One was the No. 1 TV DVD seller of last year), as well as record-breaking ratings on Cartoon Network, the show will be “uncancelled” and will air once again with new episodes sometime in the spring, Lacey said.
Although this is a completely unprecedented event, Lacey says he’s not surprised.
“It’s such a great show,” he said. “The whole story really shows the power of TV DVD.”
Lugash says more and varied extras that allow the user to enjoy the TV show at their own pace and on their own terms will be the future of TV DVD.
Glenn Padnick of Castle Rock Entertainment, the studio that released Seinfeld on DVD, said that special features are important for TV DVDs.
“The special features on DVDs are excellent tools for customers to use so that they can enjoy the show even more, to go behind the scenes and experience it for themselves.”