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Why Does the DVD Take So Long?

by Dan C. Rinnert
9 replies
A week ago, there was a season finale for a TV show. I wasn't able to watch the last season because they moved to another network which isn't carried by my cable provider.

I'll be able to buy the season on DVD, but not until February.

Why does it take so long?

The filming and post-production was wrapped up long before the finale aired. So, everything is ready and I would think a supply of DVDs could have been produced by the time it aired.

The DVD is going to be out probably before the show is rerun, so that can't be an issue.

I ask because I wonder if some marketing ploy is at work here? Because, if there is, I can't see it.

It seems to me that a good time for an ad for the DVD would be during or right after the finale. Something like, "If you enjoyed this season, call now to order the DVD..." How many people would be like, "That was great! I want to see that again? Where's my credit card?" And, for those that couldn't see it, certainly they'd order as soon as they heard they could.

So, is there a marketing ploy at work here? Or is it still that "big media" worries about DVD sales cutting into broadcast revenues?
#dvd #long
  • Profile picture of the author Johnathan
    Haha.... it's called... MARKETING!

    Building the anticipation... residual sales, reminding people of the next season, etc, etc...
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by Johnathan View Post

      Haha.... it's called... MARKETING!

      Building the anticipation... residual sales, reminding people of the next season, etc, etc...
      Not a very good marketing tactic, for me anyway, then. Since I had to know how it ended and couldn't wait until February, I read the Wikipedia entry.

      Whereas, if I could have simply ordered the DVD, I could have waited a couple days for delivery...
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      • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
        Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

        Since I had to know how it ended ...
        That could be your answer there, Dan.

        Season finales can bring in big audiences and advertising revenue. If everybody thinks, "Oh, I don't have to watch the last episode because I can get it on DVD a couple of days later." the big audience (which is also big social proof) might be drastically reduced. And it might affect the commissioning of another series.

        I remember (about 10 years before I was born, ahem ) the Dallas finale where JR Ewing got shot. People refused to go out that night and lots of events had to be cancelled/postponed. It was a major TV "happening".

        Would a TV company forego that kind of publicity and audience just for a few quick DVD sales (which they would probably get later anyway).

        Martin
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        • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
          Originally Posted by Martin Luxton View Post

          That could be your answer there, Dan.
          But, since I could not view it and would have to wait two months, I read the plot on Wikipedia, which was available within hours of the show airing.

          So, the immediacy of wanting to buy was gone. When February comes, maybe I'll buy it. But, if past experience is any indication, I won't. Because I know how it ends.

          Then again, maybe I'm just not like other people. Sometimes, instead of watching a whole TV show or movie, I'll just watch partial and then go read the Wikipedia entry to see how it ends...
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  • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
    Well, if the viewing public knew that it would be available on DVD immediately, it would adversely affect the viewing figures for the broadcast show - resulting in reduced advertising revenue for the broadcaster.

    Cheers,

    Neil
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
    The same thing with magazines. Why does it take so long to get the first issue after ordering a new subscription? I have no idea but I really wonder. One would think they could send you the current issue right away and get you started.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Dan, the delay is most likely tied into broadcasting "encore" presentations (re-runs as we knew them), with the DVD released either just before the new season, or at some point that serves the broadcast schedule. I've seen some that won't release Season N DVDs until the end of Season N+1.

    Yes, it's a marketing ploy, but not always an obvious one...

    Scott, the big reason for the delay on your magazines is a lack of communication between sales and fulfillment. Even with very sophisticated databases, the publishers just aren't that efficient. Not only do you have to wait for the fulfillment house to get your subscription info, there's often a significant lag in stopping the issues when your subscription expires. I often receive several issues after I get the one with that "Last Issue" warning...
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Dan, what is even MORE frustrating is when they come out with a DVD for
      an old TV series and then stop making them because there is not enough
      demand for it. Then the pirates start recording the shows off of cable and
      sell them.

      I can't even BEGIN to tell you how may old TV shows they've done this with.

      Very frustrating.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Dan, what is even MORE frustrating is when they come out with a DVD for
        an old TV series and then stop making them because there is not enough
        demand for it. Then the pirates start recording the shows off of cable and
        sell them.

        I can't even BEGIN to tell you how may old TV shows they've done this with.

        Very frustrating.
        The worse is when they don't finish out all the seasons of a series. So, you might get seasons 1-3 on DVD, but 4-5 are never released or something. I'm the type that wants a full set.

        I don't know why they don't put older shows up on iTunes or something.

        There's a comedy from the 80's that I thought was funny, but was cancelled after 6 episodes. So, it's not in syndication and never seen anywhere. It's not on DVD. It's not on iTunes, not on Hulu, not on NBC's website.

        Someone owns the rights. Stick it up somewhere and let people buy it. If it's stood the test of time (since I haven't seen it in ages, I don't know if I'd still think it was funny, but some of the bits do still stick out in my mind), it might even get a little cult following.
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