The press release quoted below is the formal text announcing a new DVD licensing deal between Carsey-Werner Television, and Mill Creek Entertainment. As you'll see reading the text of this document, the deal between these two companies is to put out new home video releases of four classic sitcoms:
That '70s Show, Roseanne, 3rd Rock From The Sun and
Grounded For Life. As longtime readers know, all four of these shows have previously been released on DVD, by such entities as Fox Home Entertainment and Anchor Bay Entertainment. When you scroll down and read the press release, you'll note the line that says these programs will "
hit DVD with original broadcast edits and loaded with special features." We asked Mill Creek to clarify that statement.
We're informed that when these 4 shows were first released, Carsey-Werner provided the respective licensees the syndicated masters, which were edited and missing content from the original broadcast. This occurred on the 1st and some of the 2nd season releases, but was eventually remedied during later DVDs. Mill Creek has talked to Carsey-Werner, and they’ve been assured that for all seasons of these four shows, they’ll be getting the "original broadcast edits" (those are the exact words which Carsey-Werner used, and approved for the press release).
In regards to the special features, it is likely that the bonus material on Mill Creek's new releases of season sets, and eventual complete series sets, will be the same as seen on the old DVD releases. However, they are planning on trying to add some new extras, too; they tell us they're sorting through all of the materials now, so we’ll let you know details once they've all been flushed out. At this time Mill Creek's release plans are for DVD only (not Blu-ray, in case you're wondering). And also at this time, no other Carsey-Werner programs are included in the agreement. We know that many of our readers are clamoring for more (and better!) releases of shows like
A Different World, Cybill, Grace Under Fire, as well as DVDs of never-before-released shows such as
Oh, Madeline!,
Townies,
Normal, Ohio and so forth. We've passed that feedback along to Mill Creek, of course. Stay tuned and we'll see what happens!
In regards to the four series which are included in the deal: titles, dates, box art and pricing (which is expected to be low!) have not been finalized for the first releases so far; Mill Creek is just getting to work on that. But the first sets should be out later this year. For now, here's the formal press release with all the official information about this new deal:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT AND
CARSEY-WERNER TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION
INK DEAL TO RELEASE ON DVD
THAT '70S SHOW, ROSEANNE,
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN,
AND GROUNDED FOR LIFE
Highly sought-after Carsey-Werner TV classics hit DVD with
original broadcast edits and loaded with special features
Minneapolis, MN (May 4, 2011) Mill Creek Entertainment, a recognized leader in value entertainment has announced an agreement with Carsey-Werner Television Distribution to release four enormously popular TV shows on DVD in 2011.
"That '70s Show," "Roseanne," "3rd Rock from the Sun" and
"Grounded for Life" will release in full season and best-of compilation packs later this year, as well as full series DVD collections next year. Fully supported by extensive marketing campaigns and low retail and online pricing, this partnership is sure to give the fans exactly what they are after.
"Mill Creek Entertainment is thrilled to be bringing these four television favorites to the marketplace and offering them at value pricing," stated Jeff Hayne, Vice President, Content Acquisition for Mill Creek Entertainment. "Partnering with Carsey-Werner to bring the original broadcast edits to DVD is yet another exciting opportunity for us to provide even more television classics to fans, who have voracious appetites for these stellar TV shows.
"It's exciting to have these award winning titles under the Mill Creek banner." Commented Bob Dubelko, President and COO of Carsey-Werner Television Distribution. "We feel certain their expertise and creativity in re-releasing these series to the marketplace will prove invaluable to Carsey-Werner and to the consumer as well. We look forward to the partnership."
That '70s Show aired from 1998-2006 with over 11 million viewers in its first 6 seasons and is now nationally syndicated on multiple broadcast and cable networks.
That '70s Show is a comedy revolving around a group of teenage friends, their mishaps, and their coming of age, set in 1970s Wisconsin. Starring Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, Danny Masterson, Topher Grace, Laura Prepon and many more.
Roseanne originally aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997, completing its run with nine seasons.
Roseanne is the story of a working class family struggling with life's essential problems: marriage, children, money and parents-in-law. A classic sitcom, the story circles around the Connor family - a family of five (DJ, Darlene, Becky, Roseanne and Dan). The household's mother, Roseanne, is being accompanied in her quest to keep the family together by her sister Jackie and various friends over the years. Starring Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Sarah Chalke and many more.
3rd Rock from the Sun is an American sitcom that originally aired 1996 to 2001 on NBC. A group of aliens has come to Earth to learn about its population, customs, etc. To avoid detection, they have taken on human form which gives them human emotions, physical needs, etc., without the understanding of what they mean or the inhibitions normally present in humans. Their leader takes the position of a college professor, their military expert as his sister, their intelligence expert, supposedly oldest of group takes form of his teenage son. The uninhibited reactions turn everyday events into unusual situations. Starring John Lithgow, Kirsten Johnston, French Stewart, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jane Curtin and many more.
Grounded for Life originally aired 2001-2005, releasing 5 seasons and 91 episodes.
Grounded for Life features a thirty-something Irish Catholic couple, Sean and Claudia, who deal with their three children as well as Sean's judgmental father and his carefree brother. Starring Donal Logue, Megyn Price, Kevin Corrigan, Lynsey Bartilson, Griffin Frazen and many more.
About Carsey-Werner Television Distribution
For over 20 years Carsey-Werner Television Distribution has been known globally as one of the leading independent distributors of programming with such blockbuster comedies as The Cosby Show, That '70s Show, Roseanne, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Cosby, Grounded For Life, A Different World, Cybill, Grace Under Fire and Cosby. Well known for its library of comedy hits, Carsey-Werner added distribution of the Cannell library in 2006. Carsey-Werner programs are seen in over 175 countries and translated into 50 different languages.
About Mill Creek Entertainment
Mill Creek Entertainment is a source of value home video entertainment. Helmed by a management team with over eighty years of experience in the consumer home entertainment marketplace, the company produces entertainment products that typically sell in quantity, at impulse price-points, while adhering to high standards of quality unsurpassed in the industry. The Mill Creek product line encompasses many genres and speaks to broad consumer tastes, favored by both North American and emerging Latin markets. The company's DVD product line consists of classic movies, television episodes, historical documentaries and feature films.
