DVDizzy Forum

Does anyone else think that Disney has maybe abandoned DuckTales and Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers? They did the same with Lizzie McGuire.

No, Robin Hood probably take them out in November. Just like the way Gargoyles Season 2 volume 1 was release in December.
Hopefully we will see Gargolyes Season 2 volume 2 (with Season 3 from ABC Saturday Mornings).

Hopefully it won't be as long a wait as it was for Once & Again. It was about 2 years and 9 months between the first and second season's release on dvd.

Escapay

MickeyMousePal wrote:No, Robin Hood probably take them out in November. Just like the way Gargoyles Season 2 volume 1 was release in December.
Hopefully we will see Gargolyes Season 2 volume 2 (with Season 3 from ABC Saturday Mornings).

Oh, yes. I forgot about those Gargoyles releases. Thanks.

I'd have to agree (and I guess this is what people are saying here? ) to not worry too much for the near future. Apparently, there is a Darkwing Duck DVD release set for this year - probably October or later at this point - so there might be some news about the next Ducktales and CDRR sets shortly thereafter.

Another thing to consider is this: with some older shows, at least, I think the DVD companies opt to wait a while between season set releases. Now, putting together and releasing the next set of these cartoons shouldn't be too much of a challenge, especially considering the total lack of supplemental materials on the sets. And, compared with some other movies and shows that Disney releases on DVD, this is probably considered to be a bit of a lower-profile release, thus not a whole lot of news coming out about it. So, I'd say be patient, and hopefully we should hear something soon

Well, there was talk that Gargoyles V2.2 wasn't going to get a release due to lack of interest in V2.1.

Perhaps Disney are rethinking their TV cartoon release strategy? The single volumes of Quack Pack and Goof Troop would seem to indicate this...

Here's something else that might help the classic TV 'toons...perhaps...

Warner Brothers is finally releasing Animaniacs to season set DVD this summer. Tiny Toons is rumored to be getting the same treatment sometime after that. And as far as I have heard, the original Ninja Turtles show from the '80s is set to have a respectable release in the near future as well.

So whatever happens with Disney Afternoon 'toons, at least some companies are willing to go back and make their shows from the same era available. I'd say it's only a matter of time before Disney earnestly follows suit; and I have heard a few people my age seem excited about at least the Ducktales set when they found out it was available, and these are folks who are perhaps not as huge "Disney-philes" as folks on this board. It's just a show they remember fondly from their childhood, and they want to revisit their old favorites.

Karushifa wrote: And as far as I have heard, the original Ninja Turtles show from the '80s is set to have a respectable release in the near future as well.

If by "in the near future" you mean the last 3 years, then sure.

Kinda random here...

BUT, I want Super Mario Bros. (the cartoon) to be released in a good set!

eric89 wrote:Kinda random here...

BUT, I want Super Mario Bros. (the cartoon) to be released in a good set!

It is!
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releaseinfo ... aseID=5525

eric89 wrote:Kinda random here...

BUT, I want Super Mario Bros. (the cartoon) to be released in a good set!

Well, I think you'll be happy to know they released that last week.

Loomis wrote:Perhaps Disney are rethinking their TV cartoon release strategy? The single volumes of Quack Pack and Goof Troop would seem to indicate this...

If that's their plan, then Disney has once again lost my business and earned my contempt (they've been doing that alot recently). Single volumes of TV shows are so 2000-2001... and I'll have no part of it.

DaveWadding wrote:

Karushifa wrote: And as far as I have heard, the original Ninja Turtles show from the '80s is set to have a respectable release in the near future as well.

If by "in the near future" you mean the last 3 years, then sure.

Okay, then. I wasn't following the "classic" Ninja Turtles series release schedule too closely (I watched the show occasionally but wouldn't buy the DVDs...that sort of thing), and the last thing I read about it was that the newer series was getting some good releases while all the '80s rendition got was a crummy five-episode disc...the fans of the real deal were none too happy at that point.

Anyways, my bad. I figured that someone would correct me, anyhow. That's why I don't commit to something as fact unless I care enough to search for hard evidence thereof

TM2-Megatron wrote:

Loomis wrote:Perhaps Disney are rethinking their TV cartoon release strategy? The single volumes of Quack Pack and Goof Troop would seem to indicate this...

If that's their plan, then Disney has once again lost my business and earned my contempt (they've been doing that alot recently). Single volumes of TV shows are so 2000-2001... and I'll have no part of it.

Well, I'd imagine a few people would feel that way, but there are two things to be said for our comments.

Firstly, mine was one of pure speculation and this may not be Disney's plan at all.

The other thing is that the single volumes are deemed to be 'appealing' to parents and families, as they are inexpensive and short enough to keep the kids' attention spans occupied. OH LOOK, A BIRD!!! We far more mature viewers - AND A BICYCLE!!! - and Internet collectors are a strange lot, who are more likely to go out and buy a box set. Indeed, we'd prefer it over single volumes, regardless of price. The average punter does care about things like cost, but not necessarily the correct order or season sets. Yes, I know that TV on DVD is on the rise, and many season sets sell quite well, but cartoons of this vintage are going to have limited appeal methinks.

[/quote]

If by "in the near future" you mean the last 3 years, then sure.[/quote]
Okay, then. I wasn't following the "classic" Ninja Turtles series release schedule too closely (I watched the show occasionally but wouldn't buy the DVDs...that sort of thing), and the last thing I read about it was that the newer series was getting some good releases while all the '80s rendition got was a crummy five-episode disc...the fans of the real deal were none too happy at that point.

Anyways, my bad. I figured that someone would correct me, anyhow. That's why I don't commit to something as fact unless I care enough to search for hard evidence thereof [/quote]

Nah they're about 10 episode discs and at 10 bucks I can't complain at all.

I was really suprised by how well the show held up, considering everything. It doesn't really take itself to serious and while there are def. moments of camp, it's actually enjoyable.

But the thing with TMNT is that the show held on waaaaay too long. I'd probably follow it up until about the 93 or maybe 94 season. After that it REALLY takes a nose dive.

Loomis wrote:The other thing is that the single volumes are deemed to be 'appealing' to parents and families, as they are inexpensive and short enough to keep the kids' attention spans occupied. OH LOOK, A BIRD!!! We far more mature viewers - AND A BICYCLE!!! - and Internet collectors are a strange lot, who are more likely to go out and buy a box set. Indeed, we'd prefer it over single volumes, regardless of price. The average punter does care about things like cost, but not necessarily the correct order or season sets. Yes, I know that TV on DVD is on the rise, and many season sets sell quite well, but cartoons of this vintage are going to have limited appeal methinks.

I'd agree that compilation discs do have their merits. For one thing, they're almost certainly going to be cheaper than season sets for folks who just want to buy something to keep their kids happy, and aren't necessarily completists when it comes to the shows their kids watch.

I think the approach that works best is the one taken with the Spongebob Squarepants releases: the series is available both on season sets for the collectors, and also on several compilation discs for parents and casual fans. Of course, Spongebob Squarepants is a hugely popular series, so it makes sense to release it onto DVD this way, but there's no good reason, as far as I see it, why Disney couldn't do the same for at least some of their more recent shows (i.e., House of Mouse).

Oh, and there are plenty of shows with much more limited appeal than, say, Ducktales that have DVD releases. That short-lived X-Files spinoff, The Lone Gunmen, for example. Or older candle-in-the-wind shows like That's My Mama...I mean, honestly, are there really more fervent That's My Mama fans out there than Ducktales or Rescue Rangers fans? I seriously (and hopefully) doubt it.. So I don't completely buy that that excuse should completely preclude a DVD release of a show that people actually DO want. If that's the way that the minds of the people in Disney marketing operate, then that's really sad.

Loomis wrote:The other thing is that the single volumes are deemed to be 'appealing' to parents and families, as they are inexpensive and short enough to keep the kids' attention spans occupied. OH LOOK, A BIRD!!! We far more mature viewers - AND A BICYCLE!!! - and Internet collectors are a strange lot, who are more likely to go out and buy a box set. Indeed, we'd prefer it over single volumes, regardless of price. The average punter does care about things like cost, but not necessarily the correct order or season sets. Yes, I know that TV on DVD is on the rise, and many season sets sell quite well, but cartoons of this vintage are going to have limited appeal methinks.

They're in no way cheaper, on a per episode basis. I'd rather pay $29.95 each for the 27 episodes we got on the Ducktales and Rescue Rangers sets than around $15 for a paltry 3 episodes. Any parents with brains would also realise that 3 episodes won't keep any kid busy for very long... they'd soon tire of watching them again and again. Of course, alot of parents aren't terribly bright.

Still, hopefully this isn't what Disney intends to do. The upcoming Darking Duck release had better be a multi-disc set, and not some 3-episode trash release.

At this point it's been proven that more people are interested in season sets of TV shows than single volumes; even for cartoons (WB, amongst others, has established that).

It's worth pointing out that the "Quack Pack" and "Goof Troop" DVDs turned up for preorder just days after "DuckTales" and "Chip 'n Dale" were released. Assuming it takes longer than that to put something like that in motion, I think plans were in place for the 3-episode route to be taken for those long before Disney got any hard sales numbers in on "DuckTales" and "Chip 'n Dale."

I'd be surprised if we don't see more "DuckTales" and "Chip 'n Dale" by the end of this year - from a cost versus returns perspective, it's rather unlikely that Disney lost money on the thrifty, not-at-all-promoted box set releases and it's not like those episodes are making money anywhere else or would be making more if the DVDs aren't released.

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.

Luke wrote:It's worth pointing out that the "Quack Pack" and "Goof Troop" DVDs turned up for preorder just days after "DuckTales" and "Chip 'n Dale" were released. Assuming it takes longer than that to put something like that in motion, I think plans were in place for the 3-episode route to be taken for those long before Disney got any hard sales numbers in on "DuckTales" and "Chip 'n Dale."

I'd be surprised if we don't see more "DuckTales" and "Chip 'n Dale" by the end of this year - from a cost versus returns perspective, it's rather unlikely that Disney lost money on the thrifty, not-at-all-promoted box set releases and it's not like those episodes are making money anywhere else or would be making more if the DVDs aren't released.

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.

You've got some interesting points here, Luke.

First of all, we haven't even gotten a press release yet about the Darkwing Duck set that everyone is expecting to be released sometime this year. Given how keen Disney is on joint releases of similar titles (i.e, the Ghibli waves), it would not surprise me if the DD Vol. 1 release were a joint release with either: a) DT and/or CDRR Vol. 2 sets, or b) an entirely different Disney Afternoon series such as Gummi Bears or Talespin. At this point, I'm leaning towards the former as a better possibility. It's the "as long as you get this, you might as well get that" philosophy that can/does help lower demand titles like these, I think.

Second...if the season sets really are relatively cheap to produce, it would be an odd move on Disney's part to shift from box-set releases to random-episode discs only. I mean, I would hope that they'd at least try to be consistent in this respect.

As for Quack Pack/Goof Troop...I still don't know why Disney chose three as the magic number for volume 1 releases here. I mean, I can understand the whole testing of the waters mentality, but if anything, the people who would actually buy these shows - Goof Troop especially, since it's a bit older - are not going to like little bones thrown at them like that. Like you said, discs of at least 8 eps would have been a better compromise. So in such case Disney's cautious strategy is probably backfiring.

Karushifa wrote:As for Quack Pack/Goof Troop...I still don't know why Disney chose three as the magic number for volume 1 releases here. I mean, I can understand the whole testing of the waters mentality, but if anything, the people who would actually buy these shows - Goof Troop especially, since it's a bit older - are not going to like little bones thrown at them like that. Like you said, discs of at least 8 eps would have been a better compromise. So in such case Disney's cautious strategy is probably backfiring.

I'm pretty sure they decided three was the magic number because it was as close to a one hour running time as could be achieved. The one-hour-of-cartoons-with-no-frills tactic has apparently been profitable for the Classic Cartoon Favorites and other compilations. It seems very much like a similar approach was taken with GT and QP - marketable characters in a bright package with one hour of content. But where an hour of shorts seems like a reasonable serving, an hour of episodes seems like a huge tease, especially when box sets with 9x as many episodes are priced only a slightly more than twice as much. I hope GT and QP sold poorly enough for them to rethink this approach for Disney Afternoon series, but there's also the possibility that low sales can be read as little interest.

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.