DuckTales V2 and Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers V2... WHEN?

[TM2-Megatron]

Loomis' points are quite valid, but there's just no reason that Disney can't find a happy medium and do 8-episode standalone discs, even if they want to raise the SRP to like $19.99. It'd be slightly more per episode than the box set route, but at the same time, it might be the only way to get some of the lesser-demanded cartoon series, which probably can't justify a box set-only release method.

8 episodes for $20 (i'm assuming you mean USD here, so that's even more up here) is still a major rip-off, and not really worth buying for anyone other than the stupider parents out there.

For me, it's either TV shows as box sets or no purchase at all. If other companies can manage to competently produce season (or, at least, many-episode boxsets) for older shows and cartoons, then Disney should be able to as well. Even that cheesy 80s cartoon COPS (fighting crime in a future time) has recently seen a release of season 1. If Disney can't make money on the shows they're putting it, then it's some failing in their marketing/etc. departments, not in the actual shows or people who're willing to buy them.

[Luke]

8 episodes for $20 (i'm assuming you mean USD here, so that's even more up here) is still a major rip-off, and not really worth buying for anyone other than the stupider parents out there.

Well I was saying a $20 SRP, which means for most purposes (aside from Amazon's current BVHE SRP fad), a $15 purchase. That'd be slightly higher than usual, but I don't think I'd classify it as a rip-off, especially for something that can't justify a release otherwise. It's twice as good as what was actually served up. Of course, 8 episodes for $14.99 SRP would be, in my opinion, an even happier medium.

But from an SRP/episodes perspective...

$1.29 - DuckTales + Chip 'n Dale V1 ($34.99/27 episodes)
$1.53 - Gargoyles S2V1 ($39.99/26 episodes)
<i>$1.87 - hypothetical Quack Pack/Goof Troop ($14.99/8 episodes)</i>
$2.27 - Simpsons season set ($49.99/22 episodes)
$2.31 - Gargoyles S1 ($29.99/13 episodes)
<i>$2.49 - hypothetical Quack Pack/Goof Troop ($19.99/8 episodes)</i>
<i>$4.99 - actual Quack Pack/Goof Troop ($14.99/3 episodes)</i>

We may have been spoiled by how reasonably priced "DuckTales" and "Rescue Rangers" were (even with modest discounts). But anyway, I think I've rambled enough, even if I haven't said much of interest.

[Karushifa]

For me, it's either TV shows as box sets or no purchase at all. If other companies can manage to competently produce season (or, at least, many-episode boxsets) for older shows and cartoons, then Disney should be able to as well. Even that cheesy 80s cartoon COPS (fighting crime in a future time) has recently seen a release of season 1. If Disney can't make money on the shows they're putting it, then it's some failing in their marketing/etc. departments, not in the actual shows or people who're willing to buy them.

I agree of course that producing season sets is neither cost-prohibitive nor difficult enough for Disney to legitimately "cop out" by producing partial-season or random-episode discs. However, simply assuming that Disney will go the route of three-episode discs with the rest of their TV shows ad infinitum is sort of pessimistic. Just because they chose to go that route with two shows doesn't mean that they would do that sort of thing for all shows.

Personally, I was quite surprised that Ducktales and Rescue Rangers were coming to DVD at ALL, considering how severely Disney has buried those and other shows of the same era on either very late night TV or "in the vault". The fact that they, in addition to Gargoyles (whose appearance on DVD was also a surprise to me) got 27-episode volumes was an even bigger surprise, since the last time I bought Rescue Rangers on home video, it was on a 2 (yes, that's right, TWO) episode VHS tape. And, like I mentioned earlier, it would be a rather bizarre move to have the first "season" of Ducktales and CDRR on a box set and the second "season" (and beyond for Ducktales) on stand-alone three-episode discs. I think that either Disney will go ahead and release volume 2 on DVD or not at all.

I know it's easy to get angry at Disney for giving sorely neglected TV shows and movies more of the shaft. But occasionally, they also get some things right. Would I be happier with a Ducktales or Rescue Rangers sets with special features? Of course I would. But I'm still happy to just have my bare bones discs, since there is no longer any way to watch them legally without the DVDs. So I'll go out and buy them, because I don't want Disney to think that I'm not interested in buying DVDs of ANY sort.

Of course, if you don't want to buy lesser releases of such shows, that is your choice. But keep in mind that NOTHING has been announced, good or bad, about them yet, so there's no way of knowiing what Disney's next move will be. All we can do is sit tight and hope for Disney to make the best decisions for everyone and not more that only alienate their fans.

[TM2-Megatron]

We may have been spoiled by how reasonably priced "DuckTales" and "Rescue Rangers" were (even with modest discounts). But anyway, I think I've rambled enough, even if I haven't said much of interest.

Spoiled, lol. With recent Disney releases, "spoiled" usually means the movie is accompanied by its theatrical trailer and a few crappy games. Even WB has smartened up from their days of terrible releases in those awful cardboard cases, and are releasing great sets for both movies and their many great cartoons.

$1.29 - DuckTales + Chip 'n Dale V1 ($34.99/27 episodes)

I actually picked these two up for $29.95 (canadian $$) each, which is around $26 at the current exchance rate; so it worked out to be closer to $0.96/episode, which I was very pleased with.

[I am the Doctor]

Luke wrote

I'm more worried that "Five Mile Creek" and "Avonlea" might not get to see second seasons than I am that "DuckTales" and "Chip 'n Dale" won't see Volume 2 sets.

I worried about that myself, particularly "Five Mile Creek." One can always pick up the Canadian releases of "Avonlea" (known as "Road to Avonlea" in Canada) put out by Kevin Sullivan. I own both the Sullivan and the Disney version of Season One and the Sullivan is a better product (video quality is terrible on both, however). As an aside, Sullivan's releasing Season 6 of Avonlea in May.

I think the word is out on the Disney release of "Avonlea", as I've seen used copies available for sale at various locations like used bookshops. Editing the Avonlea episodes didn't help sales of this release any, especially when one can buy unedited episodes from Sullivan. So I would not be surprised if Disney drops "Avonlea".

I don't know how "Five Mile Creek" is doing, but I haven't seen any used copies floating around, so those who are buying it are keeping it. The same is true with "Ducktales" and "Rescue Rangers."

But, unfortunately, if Disney doesn't release Five Mile Creek, then no one can. I have videotape versions of Volumes 1-15 and 18, and would love to have the entire series on DVD.

But for those worried about Ducktales and Rescue Rangers, my guess would be a November release for the second sets (sort of like the Treasures, which are released once a year). If there's been no release by November, then it might be time to start worrying.

[JEANYLASER]

i love them and i can't wait for the another of the rescue rangers on dvd in November. i will buy the volume 1 and volume 2.:mickey:

[2099net]

In fact, more companies seem to be producing both Season Sets and Individual releases.

Paramount are still releasing lots of Spongebob single discs as well as sets, and Warners have said that they will continue to release single discs in their "DC Kids Collection" as well as season sets of their DC properties. So I don't see why Disney can't do the same for their shows. In fact, I think it is most likely Goof Troop and Quack Pack will get sets in the (near) future.

[Loomis]

In fact, more companies seem to be producing both Season Sets and Individual releases.

Paramount are still releasing lots of Spongebob single discs as well as sets, and Warners have said that they will continue to release single discs in their "DC Kids Collection" as well as season sets of their DC properties. So I don't see why Disney can't do the same for their shows. In fact, I think it is most likely Goof Troop and Quack Pack will get sets in the (near) future.

I often forget about the Warner example, actually. It seems to be an ideal solution for both parties. People complain about the single disc releases, but Warner still put out the season sets and both of them appear to be selling quite well. Disney has always 'done their own thing' when releasing their properties, but much could be learned from Warner's example. Indeed, Warner have usually been consistently good (waiting for a flood of negative examples now... ) in most things DVD.

Still, the 3-episode discs could simply be a water-tester to see if anybody is still interested in the series. Ducktales and Rescue Rangers were huge TV shows in their days, but the average punter would think that a 'Quack Pack' is a type of quickie mart duck-related snack.

[Karushifa]

I often forget about the Warner example, actually. It seems to be an ideal solution for both parties. People complain about the single disc releases, but Warner still put out the season sets and both of them appear to be selling quite well. Disney has always 'done their own thing' when releasing their properties, but much could be learned from Warner's example. Indeed, Warner have usually been consistently good (waiting for a flood of negative examples now... ) in most things DVD.

Still, the 3-episode discs could simply be a water-tester to see if anybody is still interested in the series. Ducktales and Rescue Rangers were huge TV shows in their days, but the average punter would think that a 'Quack Pack' is a type of quickie mart duck-related snack.

Warner Brothers is admittedly getting better about their DVD release habits. They seem to have given up on the el cheapo carboard keep cases, and they are soon to release the highly beloved Animaniacs and Pinky & The Brain series on season sets, so they're at least trying in some respects.

As for QP/GT season sets...if I recall correctly, at least one show that I know of (Spongebob Squarepants) was released onto RCDs (Random Compilation Discs...my term ) before season sets. Now, we're talking about Disney here, who is notorious for doggedly sticking to their old release habits (especially the constant threats of "vaulting" movies). But I don't think that the existence of GT and QP on RCDs totally precludes season sets of the shows. Hopefully, when more and more recent Disney cartoon shows start coming to DVD (House of Mouse, etc.) then it will probably be inevitable that the two that seem to be getting the shaft for now will get their due. We shall see.

[Escapay]

They seem to have given up on the el cheapo carboard keep cases

Snappers, though I have heard them be called "clipcase" before as well. I'm probably one of the 10 people in the world who preferred them to Amarays...

Escapay

[TM2-Megatron]

They seem to have given up on the el cheapo carboard keep cases

Snappers, though I have heard them be called "clipcase" before as well. I'm probably one of the 10 people in the world who preferred them to Amarays...

Escapay

Why? How were they better? If the thing ever got damaged, it would be pretty much impossible to get a new one.

[Escapay]

Snappers, though I have heard them be called "clipcase" before as well. I'm probably one of the 10 people in the world who preferred them to Amarays...

Escapay

Why? How were they better? If the thing ever got damaged, it would be pretty much impossible to get a new one.

I never said they were better, just that I preferred them. Amarays are sturdier and last longer, but I simply liked the look of a Snapper. It was an aesthetic preference.

And of course, if a Snapper did get damaged, then I'd simply put the disc in a spare amaray and print out some cover art.

Escapay