DVD Box Sets and TV Syndication

[HBombVI]

It looks like the latest trend in TV is packaging full seasons into DVD box sets for sale. I'm wondering what effect this is having (or going to have) on television production and syndication. The old formula was to try to make a hit show and then package it for syndication when it got to the 100 episode mark.

Are networks still reaching for that mark? Or is the direct to DVD sales making it worth it to not syndicate anymore? Do the actors and actresses benefit more off DVD sales or off of residual income from syndication?

Of course I did a web search but didn't find a whole lot of recent information. I found this article (http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-07-19-dvd-cable-shows_x.htm) on USAToday though that was interesting even if it is a couple years old. The DVD market is definitely profitable, but does this mean that syndication is a thing of the past? :nah:

[Da Juice Man]

Don't know much about it, but i'm not a dvd buyer. So syndication works for
me. If the studios see me as not being profitable i'll do what i do to catch up.
I'll download the shows.

[ExumaPride]

dem fukkin ting 2 expensive

[HBombVI]

Don't know much about it, but i'm not a dvd buyer. So syndication works for
me. If the studios see me as not being profitable i'll do what i do to catch up.
I'll download the shows.

Distribution over the web is a very new trend and from what I hear it's doing very well, especially since the video iPod was released.

I consider myself a DVD buyer but honestly I'm not apt to buy a box set unless I really like a show (to date I haven't bought any box sets). Also, I haven't been a Must-See-TV watcher for years now so lately I've only become a fan of series like CSI because they're in syndication. Normally though I would never run down to the video store and buy a CSI box set just because I missed the first run of the series, but there are people that do this.

I'm also noticing that some series that were pretty regular in syndication disappeared (or got shorter runs) when the DVD sets were released.

I'm beginning to think that with such easy access to full seasons of television shows were going to be seeing a lot less syndication in the future.

[Sexy-Guyanese]

dem fukkin ting 2 expensive
as tempting as it is to buy them i agree with EXY

[Natural_Mystic]

They are mad epensive, but i guess the studios still makin mad money behind the dvd box sets an the syndication of the shows, i cannot see em loosin. I really need to get my hands on
Prison Break
Lost

Great TV

[HBombVI]

If there was a series I'd consider buying, it's Quantum Leap. I was a huge fan of that series.

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00005JM3A.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Pinks]

dem fukkin ting 2 expensive

Exactly! Most of the good tv that goes to DVD is too expensive and not worth the buy. It's more money for the actors in the long run if their shows make it into syndication cuz its a steady paycheck (that dwindles as the syndication run gets longer and longer). However, I'm noticing that a show like "24" goes into syndication on 3 different channels all at once (different show seasons though) just about 3 months after the DVD is released. This has to be a win-win situation for everybody. The actors getting steady checks from syndication and DVD sales. The networks still getting $$$ from syndication cause people will watch to get "current" on a tv series that's all the rave (I'm doing this now with Nip/Tuck), and the studio does lovely with the profits from the DVD (plenty folks still buy, even though they are too much money).

[HBombVI]

Exactly! Most of the good tv that goes to DVD is too expensive and not worth the buy. It's more money for the actors in the long run if their shows make it into syndication cuz its a steady paycheck (that dwindles as the syndication run gets longer and longer). However, I'm noticing that a show like "24" goes into syndication on 3 different channels all at once (different show seasons though) just about 3 months after the DVD is released. This has to be a win-win situation for everybody. The actors getting steady checks from syndication and DVD sales. The networks still getting $$$ from syndication cause people will watch to get "current" on a tv series that's all the rave (I'm doing this now with Nip/Tuck), and the studio does lovely with the profits from the DVD (plenty folks still buy, even though they are too much money).

I'd think that too, but I'm wondering if the syndication payday is better than the DVD payday. I'm sure what you've noticed is that the networks are using syndication to drive DVD sales. If so, does that mean that they negotiated a lower syndication fee and a shorter TV run just to drive the DVD box sets? :headscrat

[dappa1]

I'd think that too, but I'm wondering if the syndication payday is better than the DVD payday. I'm sure what you've noticed is that the networks are using syndication to drive DVD sales. If so, does that mean that they negotiated a lower syndication fee and a shorter TV run just to drive the DVD box sets? :headscrat

It depends on the series. A show like Desperate Housewives is gonna pull in a half a mil everytime when it begins to show on lifetime and chances are those episodes are going to renew interest in the dvds and drive up syndication fees when they are ready to offer the show to local markets. And as long as the first runs pull in ratings on ABC, there is no reason to shorten the run because as long as the show is being produced, there is more material to exploit for profit. On the otherhand if you're talking about a show like Arrested Development, at first the dvd sales are going to be decent because while it was a huge flop on tv, it was the kind of show that brought it that cult following of fans that would be willing to spend money to own the show.
After those fans get their copies, interest in them is going to be tepid until the show begins its internet and cable run this October, which they hope would drive dvd sales. In any case its gonna be a while before you see any true syndication on that show due to the fact that show's original run is too short, just like the first run of family guy, to be shown 5 days a week on local channels, with episodes showing everynight on cable.

As for paying for those things, most dvd sets especially the HBO ones are OVERPRICED. The marketing people take no notice of the fact that almost every show on tv right now is available in high def on bittorrent and sites like projectw for free a few hours after they originally air. Whats the motivation to pay 70 for a one season of an average show when you could download them and make your own dvd set. Sure isn't the extras.

[BlkButterfly]

I'd think that too, but I'm wondering if the syndication payday is better than the DVD payday. I'm sure what you've noticed is that the networks are using syndication to drive DVD sales. If so, does that mean that they negotiated a lower syndication fee and a shorter TV run just to drive the DVD box sets? :headscrat

The only sitcom dvd I have ever bought was Seinfeld. I never even watched it until I caught a few episodes on wtbs and became an immediate fan. I think the "done" shows have to be in syndication to attract new dvd buyers. I might not have been so eager to purchase the dvd's had I not missed the years of episodes.

Thing is...it makes it even more difficult for me to watch one episode a week of a show I like. I enjoy The 4400, but I'm not up for that once a week thing. If it is on dvd, I would prefer to just buy one whole season and get it over with.

[HBombVI]

The only sitcom dvd I have ever bought was Seinfeld. I never even watched it until I caught a few episodes on wtbs and became an immediate fan. I think the "done" shows have to be in syndication to attract new dvd buyers. I might not have been so eager to purchase the dvd's had I not missed the years of episodes.

Thing is...it makes it even more difficult for me to watch one episode a week of a show I like. I enjoy The 4400, but I'm not up for that once a week thing. If it is on dvd, I would prefer to just buy one whole season and get it over with.

:laugh: Same here. I extend that privilege to very few television shows.

I find the best way to hook me on a series is to have a marathon on it. Shows like CSI and Monk only really got me into it when they had a marathon going. One series that I really got into when they did that was Witchblade...only to hear that the marathon was leading up to the very last episode in the series. :mad:

[Majestic_Lion]

I need all the Stargate dvd sets. Anybody want my mailing address? :(

[A.savage]

I cop boondocks the minute I saw it.

[Smile]

:o Ally McBeal could get my money

[Pinks]

I'd think that too, but I'm wondering if the syndication payday is better than the DVD payday. I'm sure what you've noticed is that the networks are using syndication to drive DVD sales. If so, does that mean that they negotiated a lower syndication fee and a shorter TV run just to drive the DVD box sets? :headscrat

Good questions. However, if I think about J.J. Walker from "Good Times"..I know that he is straight up broke. He's even had to go back to trying to do standup and it's not helping much even though he was such a big star in the 1970's. I would think that with all the years "Good Times" has been in syndication since it was cancelled, PLUS, the DVD sales (and remember they were on VHS for sale before the DVD craze) that he would be gettin' some good checks..guess not.:headscrat

I think u may be on to something when u say its could be to drive DVD sales..if that's the case, I'd still think the actors make out pretty well, and better than with just syndication alone.

[HBombVI]

^ I bet a lot of these older actors are glad that there is retro TV networks like TV Land and Nick At Night. :err