Disney's Platinum Editions --- What's Next ?

[Atlantica]

From reading what people have posted on this forum, as I am no expert, it seems as if after next year, Disney's Platinum Line is officially finished. That is to say, that if Disney chooses to do so, they will start repeating themselves in rereleasing previous Disney Animated Classics Platinum Editions.

This would be great news to me, as I missed out on a few of the Platinum Editions when they first came out, as I was too young to register what they were really. So I would love the chance of owning Snow White, Beauty And The Beast, and The Lion King.

But the question is, what exactly are Disney going to include on these DVD's? Are they going to include new material? Did they hold back material from the first Platinum releases, as they knew they were going to start the cycle all over again, and wanted people to have the insentive to double-dip? I know its not very important, but is there going to be new cover art / packaging?

Also, if the Platinum's have already recieved their best visually, i.e the most super-duper-cleaned-up-high def-best-picture-quality ever, what more is there to do on that front? I suppose the answer will be BluRay, but I know almost nothing about that, so I can't really comment on it.

Yes, Disney have added new titles to the Platinum Line; was this to pad the line out, so they wouldnt have to repeat themselves so soon? Or did they all earn their place? I would say they have, apart from Peter Pan possibly; its inclusion seemed suspicously like a bumper trailer for the Tinker Bell movie .. .. but I adore that film, so I was happy to own it.

And all the rumours flying about that 'Alice' will now be included as a Platinum, and bumping off Aladdin; this have never been confirmed as far as I know, but some reliable sources have reported it.

So what are everyone's thoughts on this? What will Disney do with their Platinum Line; if the DVDs are already supposed to be 'The definitive release' ?

[2099net]

Well the simple answer is nobody knows if the new Platinums will have new content or not. Although Sleeping Beauty was not a Platinum on its original release, it was better than some Platinum editions since, so the upcoming Sleeping Beauty release will be the first clue we have as to what future Platinum releases will be.

Personally, at the very least I expect the new Sleeping Beauty to retain the commentary, trailers, art galleries and smaller featurettes. I also expect it to have a new, extended "Making of".

Sadly, I don't expect it to keep the archive shorts and documentries like "Four Artists Paint One Tree", "The Peter Tchaikovsky Story" or "Grand Canyon". Including such associated features are not something Disney seems to keen on at the moment. I expect the space freed to be used on virtual theme park rides, games or other "activity" content like "How to dance like Aurora".

As for the film itself, I think we can expect a fresh restoration, especially as it's coming to Blu-ray (as will all the subsequent Platinums one assumes). The colour flickering on the current Sleeping Beauty will have to be fixed - be it by a whole new restoration or applying some advanced technology to the current restoration.

I'll be kind and say that Disney hasn't deliberately held anything back. For example, there's no logic to them holding back on including the Lion King trailers on the Lion King platinum release. In fact, trailers on the Platinum releases seem to follow no logical pattern - appearing or not-appearing seemingly at random (although not a Platinum, they even took the time to add the trailers to the US Sleeping Beauty after it had been released internationally without trailers).

I just think Disney feels what they haven't included doesn't have that much demand. Why include a 1990's television special on the "making of" The Lion King after Disney went to all the trouble of filming a whole new "making of" for example? I genuinely think Disney just didn't see the need to include it.

The same could be said of most of the Platinums - on the whole they've had money and time spent on them - I can see how Disney may feel scratchy film from the 1950's may tarnish a Platinum release in the eyes of Joe Public*. After all, we can't expect Disney to spend the money on extensive restorations of the films AND on restorations of smaller stuff like "The Peter Tchaikovsky Story" at the same time.

But this is what worries me about high-def releases. If Disney has shown little interest recently in archival content for their DVDs, I think that they're less likely to show interest in it now they're moving to HiDef presentations.

The positive point is, they have so much more storage on Blu-ray (especially when you consider most Disney movies are less than 90 minutes) that they may just put them on to keep people like us happy and to use up the space.

* I had an argument with somebody a few months ago because he was complaining that the Ultimate Bond DVDs (expecially the older films) included scratchy, grainy, not-of-particular interest to him supplements which meant each release was on two discs. As he saw it, he was being made to pay a premium for content he didn't want to see, and didn't consider "worthy" of his entertainment set-up due to compromised quality. Idiot. MGM would have charged the same price if the Ultimate Bonds were 1 disc or 2 discs.

[Ariel'sprince]

Well,they can add more films (like Alice In Wonderland that i believe will be a Platinum Edition,besides-don't you remember the Disney Blu-Ray trailer showed Alice?) and the re-releasing will have new features (like Sleeping Beauty,that by the way i think the 2003 edition missed a lot of things) and now all the Platinum Edition editions will be moved to Blu-Ray.
I don't think Aladdin got kicked out and i also missed the Snow White and Beauty and the Beast old Platinum Editions but i have The Lion King (only when the Little Mermaid i really knew why the Platinum Editions are good).

[yamiiguy]

They'll be exclusive to Blu-Ray with a nice 1080P High-Definition makeover with a few new games and the rest of the features will be ported over from the DVD Platinum Edition's. Well that's what I expect anyway...

[toonaspie]

I can only hope that the new PEs of films such as Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King become a MAJOR improvement over the original dvd releases. But I am keeping my hopes low for many reasons.

[Simba3]

I personally don't think they will continue with the Platinum Edition line. I think once Fantasia is released on Platinum Edition, most likely in Fall of 2009, Disney will have thought of a new line of DVDs. They might be similar to the Platinum Edition line, but I think it will have a new banner.

[Widdi]

But the question is, what exactly are Disney going to include on these DVD's? Are they going to include new material? Did they hold back material from the first Platinum releases, as they knew they were going to start the cycle all over again, and wanted people to have the insentive to double-dip? I know its not very important, but is there going to be new cover art / packaging?

There's always the chance that more material could have been found and be added to the discs. I personally don't see them just restarting the platinum collection, but rather replacing the platinum collection with a new collection in the hopes that people will do the same. New cover art is a given but that's about it. Well maybe a HD presentation on Blu Ray too.

Also, if the Platinum's have already recieved their best visually, i.e the most super-duper-cleaned-up-high def-best-picture-quality ever, what more is there to do on that front? I suppose the answer will be BluRay, but I know almost nothing about that, so I can't really comment on it.

The PE's restorations were not perfect, and there is plenty of room for improvement. If they are planing on releasing them in HD then another restoration - a more complete restoration is necessary because blu-ray will just show more of the flaws.

Yes, Disney have added new titles to the Platinum Line; was this to pad the line out, so they wouldnt have to repeat themselves so soon? Or did they all earn their place? I would say they have, apart from Peter Pan possibly; its inclusion seemed suspicously like a bumper trailer for the Tinker Bell movie .. .. but I adore that film, so I was happy to own it.

The 4 additional titles were added because they deserved it and because Disney decided to increase the releases from one a year to two a year. This would keep the collection going till it's intial end date (2010). This is also the reason I strongly believe Snow White wont be released in 2009. It would defeat the purpose of extending the line.

And all the rumours flying about that 'Alice' will now be included as a Platinum, and bumping off Aladdin; this have never been confirmed as far as I know, but some reliable sources have reported it.

There is no concrete evidence to suggest Alice is now in the PE line. Anyone who states otherwise is incorrect. All there is now is rumors and they hardly qualify as fact.

So what are everyone's thoughts on this? What will Disney do with their Platinum Line; if the DVDs are already supposed to be 'The definitive release' ?

I suspect a new collection to be introduced, but the truth is nobody knows what will happen after the Platinum Line is finished. We all just have to wait and see.

[Lazario]

Personally, at the very least I expect the new Sleeping Beauty to retain the commentary, trailers, art galleries and smaller featurettes. I also expect it to have a new, extended "Making of".

Sadly, I don't expect it to keep the archive shorts and documentries like "Four Artists Paint One Tree", "The Peter Tchaikovsky Story" or "Grand Canyon". Including such associated features are not something Disney seems to keen on at the moment. I expect the space freed to be used on virtual theme park rides, games or other "activity" content like "How to dance like Aurora".

Which is all the more reason why we should question the evil marketing practices of the people at Disney, why they put quality DVD editions of movies into the Vault anyway. Only to say "they're coming back out" someday... But with "brand new" this, that, and the other thing? Will anybody care about the new edition? Will people who bought the 2003 DVD pick up a copy of the 2008/2009 DVD? What is the purpose of that? They know the collector is a serious buyer - or else they would never put out the Treasures. Why aren't the stupid mainstream buyers, the Kids' Fun & Game Edition cult as fed up with Disney as we are?

We know what we're doing. I don't think Disney has a clue what they are doing. I honestly don't... They'd have to be insane to think they're satisfying the collectors with just these Treasures collections. Like you guys don't care about the animated classics too...

[Poseidon]

I don't think the Platinum line is gonna change its name or anything anytime soon. It has just started in some countries, at least in Latin America the DVD's began to come with the banner and title “Platinum” only with Peter Pan... Why would they make the collection universal when it's coming to an end? Sounds more likely that they're strengthening the line, not otherwise.
The circle is gonna restart, and the collection will still be "Platinum". I expect new covers and bonus features, though...

[2099net]

We know what we're doing. I don't think Disney has a clue what they are doing. I honestly don't... They'd have to be insane to think they're satisfying the collectors with just these Treasures collections. Like you guys don't care about the animated classics too...

Well to be fair, the Treasures are not selling in vast amounts. The print run goes down more or less year after year (although I'm still scratching my head over the higher print run for the Oswald set).

However, advertising for the Treasures has been abysmal - did any 2007 Disney DVD have a sneak peek for the 2007 wave of Tresures releases? I know there's talk of the line being wound down, but it seems like Disney does want to stop the line dead in its tracks.

I also know stuff like Hannah Montana may be paying the bills for Disney at the moment, but surely stuff like HM sells itself more or less, while stuff like the Treasures needs a little push for so many reasons: stores don't like stocking "catalog" releases; the old classic characters, shows and even Walt Disney himself get little or no promotion on TV or the Disney website; limited edition products tend to be allocated, which maybe means some stores aren't willing to spend money promoting their small stock allocation.

It's up to Disney to work harder on getting the word out about their Tresures line (or any other super-special DVD release that they may do in the future). Also Hannah Montana is most likely to be nothing more than a short-lived fad.

[SleepingBeautyAurora]

I think that the Platinum Editions line will continue because why would they release Sleeping Beauty as a Platinum on Blu-ray if every other film in the line wasn't going to get a "Platinum Edition" banner on Blu-ray as well ? Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, and Fantasia ??? will be the only "Platinums" on Blu-ray disc, if they start a new collection with Snow White.

[Ariel'sprince]

I think that Sleeping Beauty will already will begin a new collcetion on Blu-Ray and maybe when Snow White will get re-released they"ll start making them for Blu-Ray only (thought i whould Snow White also on DVD),but they will make the re-releases on Blu-Ray,the Disney Blu-Ray trailer said thatt Sleeping Beauty,Aladdin,The Lion King (i think),The Little mermaid,Beauty and the Beast and Alice In Wonderland will be released on Blu-ray.

[2099net]

They're not going to release them Blu-ray only until the Blu-ray market share is over 50%. Most likely way over 50%.

Look how long it took them to ditch VHS, and what the DVD/VHS market share was at the time. In 2003 DVD sales totalled $11.9Bn while VHS sales totalled $2.1Bn. I believe Disney still released their Platinum Edition on VHS in 2003 (The Lion King). I actually believe Aladdin the following year was released on VHS too (but could be wrong).

See here http://www.videobusiness.com/info/CA626808.html

That's roughly 4 years after DVD was introduced (round about 1998/1999). Blu-ray has been on the market for about 18 months so far, and most people agree it will take longer for Blu-ray to match DVDs peak sales (if indeed it ever does) for a number of reasons.

I think we can safely assume the next 3-5 years of Platinum re-releases will be DVD and Blu-ray.

[blackcauldron85]

I don't think the Platinum line is gonna change its name or anything anytime soon. It has just started in some countries, at least in Latin America the DVD's began to come with the banner and title “Platinum” only with Peter Pan... Why would they make the collection universal when it's coming to an end? Sounds more likely that they're strengthening the line, not otherwise.
The circle is gonna restart, and the collection will still be "Platinum". I expect new covers and bonus features, though...

Were the pre-"Peter Pan" Platinum Editions released in Latin America (and other countries where the Platinum line recently started), just without the Platinum banner? If so, I wonder why they weren't part of the Platinum Edition line.

I definitely think that there will be new cover art on the upcoming re-releases of the earlier PEs, whether or not the re-releases are called Platinum Editions or not.

If the Platinum line is not continued, we might not even get 2-disc re-releases of the PE titles. "Tarzan" and "The Emperor's New Groove" had 2-disc Special Editions released, only to have their re-releases be single-disc Special Editions. The same thing could happen to "Snow White", B&tB, TLK, "Bambi", "Cinderella", "Lady and the Tramp", "The Little Mermaid", "Peter Pan", "The Jungle Book", "101 Dalmatians" and "Aladdin" (if that stays in the PE line), as well as "Alice in Wonderland" (if it indeed becomes a PE, since it had a 2-disc Masterpiece Edition).

Basically, one relrease of a DVD really doesn't predict what the next release of the DVD will be like. Just because a movie had a 2-disc DVD set at one point doesn't mean that the next release will be a 2-disc set, even if there is enough bonus material for the film (like what happened with "Tarzan" and "The Emperor's New Groove").

If only Disney would put some laserdisc bonus features on their DVDs...there are so many laserdisc bonus features that have yet to see the light of day on DVD- many more people have DVD players than have ever had laserdisc players...

[Atlantica]

In R2, the 'Platinum Edition' Banner has just been adopted; this leads me to believe that Disney may well continue on with the line but in an all new collection .. .. ..

We will get 'The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition'
'Snow White: Platinum Edition'

And so on, indstead of our usual 'Special Edition' banners, or Anniversary banners. Its just a hunch .. .. and it may explain the sudden adoption of the Platinum Banner.

You guys are right about the restorations that we have though; they could be better. So I wish Disney would stop marketing it to us as the ultimate edition .. .. its the ultimate edition for the time being!

[Pluto Region1]

That's roughly 4 years after DVD was introduced (round about 1998/1999). Blu-ray has been on the market for about 18 months so far, and most people agree it will take longer for Blu-ray to match DVDs peak sales (if indeed it ever does) for a number of reasons.

I think we can safely assume the next 3-5 years of Platinum re-releases will be DVD and Blu-ray.

(begin rant) Well I am really PO'd that it was announced that Blu-Ray has won the format wars. This is horrible for us DVD buyers. When they did this with vinyl, I did not buy a CD for 10 years. And now they are going to do it to us again! I just started buying DVDs maybe 3 years ago, and now what?! I am supposed to just throw them out and start over again? I can't afford an HDTV or a Blu-Ray player and a $1000 HDTV to go with it. My husband is saying it would be foolish to continue to buy DVDs. He suspects within the next 24 months Disney will phase out DVDs entirely. I guess it doesn't really matter - because eventually my DVDs will be outmoded. I'm thinking of buying backup DVD players (since eventually you won't be able to buy a DVD player). For now, my VHS machine is still working, enabling me to watch all the Disney classics my mom bought me over the last couple of months, on the Video player.

The Blu-Ray victory has really taken the wind out of my DVD-buying sails. I've got Sleeping Beauty on VHS, Pinocchio on VHS, all these films that I had planned to buy on DVD - now I may just not buy any more releases, since I don't have a Blu-Ray player. I mean, why buy them on DVD, if it will be phased out within 2 years? (end of rant)

Do you guys think they will even re-release the Treasures series on Blu-Ray? I think for many obscure titles like that, we may never see them on Blu-Ray

[Widdi]

Pluto I wouldn't freak yet. DVD isn't going anywhere for awhile, and for sure wont be phased out over the next two years. Blu Ray won the HD Format War it still has a long way to go before it tops DVD and becomes a standard format. I'm sure Blu Ray's sales will increase now, but they will not be enough to make studios start releasing in Blu Ray only.

It took years for DVD to defeat VHS and DVD was a substantial improvement over VHS. Blu Ray, in the big scheme of things, is only a minor improvement over DVD. Minor improvements don't always take. Blu Ray itself still has the ability to flop. People are talking like Blu ray is for sure going to replace DVD. That just simply isn't true. It's a possibility, it is not set in stone.

Consumers aren't too enthusiastic about the discs anyway. I'm sure interest in Blu Ray will increase now that HD-DVD is dead, but most people are still very happy with DVD and don't see any need to upgrade. Besides that the equipment is still way too expensive for the masses and unlike with standard DVD, people who don't own an HDTV will need to buy a new set to see the differences Blu Ray offers. That's an extra expense that in uncertain economic times, people won't be so willing to shovel out.

Blu Ray players upgrade standard DVD to nearly HD anyways. Replacing a collection is something studios will try to make you do with flashy rereleases, but it is hardly necessary to do so.

[CampbellzSoup]

Blu Ray High Def will always be a niche market, but if you want the best picture and sound quality you can get - then invest in it.

[Barbossa]

(begin rant) Well I am really PO'd that it was announced that Blu-Ray has won the format wars. This is horrible for us DVD buyers. When they did this with vinyl, I did not buy a CD for 10 years. And now they are going to do it to us again! I just started buying DVDs maybe 3 years ago, and now what?! I am supposed to just throw them out and start over again?

Don't throw out your DVDs. the new machines (Blu-Ray and HD) are backwards compatible and can play regular DVDs.

What's next for the Platinums? Well since they had Gold editions already, maybe they'll come up with a Diamond Edition.

[2099net]

I think a lot of people here are putting too much stock in Blu-ray. VHS and DVD had many years where the formats overlapped. Currently DVD is stronger than VHS ever was, and DVD is compatible with Blu-ray players. All [?] Blu-ray players also upscale standard definition DVDs - so while the viewing experience will not match that of a Blu-ray, your existing DVDs will be improved on Blu-ray players. They will not become obsolete.

Every month new "improved" DVDs are released and we have to make the decision will we upgrade our existing DVD, or just stick with what we have. All that has changed is now upgrade decisions will be made over improved DVDs or Blu-ray releases.

I expect DVD to be a viable business for publishers for the next 10 years (which is, give or take) the same period as DVD has existed until today. VHS was a viable business for publishers for 5 years, but DVD had more reasons over VHS for people to upgrade (didn't need new viewing equipment, packaging was smaller (a big plus for shops and rental stores as well as ordinary consumers), allowed instant access/didn't have to rewined (again a big push for rental stores), allowed extras, allowed subtitles...) then Blu-ray has over DVD.