Yesterday we
posted news about the live online chat with Warner Home Entertainment, which was sponsored by
The Home Theater Forum. As always, we thank the great folks at the HTF, who put on the best chats in the business, bar none.
Our thanks go out once more to HTF co-owners Ron Epstein and Parker Clack, and to HTF Moderator Steve Simon who also assisted during the chat. This was a long chat - 3 hours! - and we owe them our gratitude for talking to Warner and convincing them to do it. It was fun, and informative, and let us in on DVD releases as far away as 2006!
But most of all we have to thank the 5 wonderful folks from Warner who took so much of their time to chat with all of us:
- Michael Radiloff, VP Theatrical Catalog Marketing
- George Feltenstein, SVP Classic Catalog
- Rosemary Markson Exec. Director Television Marketing
- Scott Heffron Director, Theatrical Catalog Marketing
- Michael Crawford - Manager, DVD Special Features
We simply can't say enough how wonderful it is that this group of people spent 3 hours of their time answering our questions, and outlining so much of their plans for the future. They were a good-natured bunch, and even took a few jabs at themselves over the issue of snapper boxes. To get the picture of just how much was discussed, read the
full transcript of the chat.
We had planned to compile our own wrap-up of the TV-on-DVD news that came out of the chat. But why wait? Home Theater Forum member Brandon Conway compiled from the chat transcript a complete list of titles that were said to be coming, generally planned, under consideration, or not at all in-the-works. HTF owner Ron Epstein added Brandon's list to the bottom of the chat transcript, and here is the TV portion of that list. Thanks, Brandon and Ron! This is a great list, and we're pleased to pass it on to our readers:
TV SHOWS
Coming in 2004
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) [Box sets]
- E.R. Season 3
- Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000) [Box sets]
- Teen Titans (2003-current) [Box sets]
- Wonder Woman (1976-1979)
Being worked on - No date
- Everwood (2002-current)
- The O.C. (2003-current)
- Superfriends [No specifics if box sets or not]
- V (1984-1985)
In discussion for release, but no plans
- Animaniacs (1993-1998)
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
- Knot's Landing (1979-1993)
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)
- Mad TV (1995-current)
- Night Court (1984-1992)
- Pinky and the Brain (1995-1998)
No plans for release at this time
- The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993-1994)
- ALF (1986-1990)
- Beetlejuice (1989-1991)
- Birds of Prey (2003)
- Brimstone (1998-1999)
- Bucky O'Hare (1992)
- CNN's Cold War (1998)
- Fish Police (1992)
- The Flash (1990-1991)
- Freddy's Nightmares (1988-1990)
- Growing Pains (1985-1992)
- Justice League (2001-current) [16x9; box sets]
- Off Centre (2001-2003)
- Perfect Strangers (1986-1993)
- Run of the House (2003-current)
- Thundercats (1985-1987)
- Xiaolin Showdown (2003-current)
What a list! A lot of good stuff that's definately coming, or at least in-the-talks. But yet, several disappointments about things not yet in-the-works. Don't just depend on this list, though: read the answer given for yourself, in the context of Warner's reply, by searching through the chat transcript we linked to above. When you read not just what was said, but also HOW it was said, you may get a feel for which ones "not being planned" are definately a "no," and which ones may yet get on the schedule on down-the-road.
One further TV-on-DVD issue that came up during the chat, which we should address right now, is this one:
(CarlosGarcia) Hello Warners! Rumors about the Batman TV series making it to DVD range from "negogiations with 20th Century Fox are no where near making this a possibility" to "Warner Brothers is embarrassed by the TV show and wants the public to forget the show ever exited so they can concentrate on the new Batman theatrical movies and cartoon series." Can you please put these rumors to rest and tell the fans some of the facts regarding the possibility of a release?
(RonEpstein) Great question! BATMAN is one of the most requested TV
shows and we'd love for you to help Fox release it.
(warnerbros) We can't comment on this at the moment. Sorry.
It's too bad that "no comment" has to be the answer for this. Rest assured, both Warner and Fox are aware of the high level of interest in getting the old Adam West/Burt Ward series released to DVD. As we've said before, Warner Brothers has rights to the characters, through their ownership of DC Comics, but Fox owns the footage from the show; Fox and Warner would have to carefully negotiate a deal that each studio finds mutually acceptable. With such a hot property, that's probably a touchy situation. But rest assured that we'll keep an eye on it, and just as soon as there is good news to report, we'll be all over it!
Much of the positive news which came out of the chat has already been posted in individual news items this morning. We will carefully look over the remaining material, and if anything more needs to be said or clarified, then we'll surely let you know.
One more time, thanks to the great folks at the HTF and all the participants from Warner Brothers for putting this together. It was a fun time, with lots of great info. We'll definately be bringing you more about every one of the stories that came out of last night's chat, just as soon as new info is available. Stay tuned!
