Attn JMS: Any truth to Sci-Fi deal restricting release of B5 dvds?

[B5JMS Poster]

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: jpfrain at att.net
Date: 4 Oct 2000 06:27:37 -0700
Lines: 11

Hi Joe,

The rumor going around is that the sci-fi channel required WB not to
release B5 on DVD until they've had a certain number of airings of the
series, like 3.  With the idea being that their ratings would diminish
if the eps were released on dvd during an early run.  If it's true you
probably can't comment but if it's patently false I'd love to hear that
from you.

                                  Jon


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)
Date: 4 Oct 2000 23:42:08 -0700
Lines: 29

>The rumor going around is that the sci-fi channel required WB not to
>release B5 on DVD until they've had a certain number of airings of the
>series, like 3.  With the idea being that their ratings would diminish
>if the eps were released on dvd during an early run.  If it's true you
>probably can't comment but if it's patently false I'd love to hear that
>from you.
>

I haven't heard that, but I definitely think there's absolutely no truth in it,
because you can't negotiate that in a deal like this.  SFC bought the rights to
run the show, that's the end of it.  WB is very literal about not making deals
in other parts of the studio (i.e., the cable TV division making a deal that
handcuffs the home video division, and so on).  You'd have a full scale jihad
if that ever happened.

So I think the rumor is just that, a rumor put out by folks looking to stir up
other people.

 jms

(jmsatb5 at aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2000 by
synthetic worlds, ltd., permission
to reprint specifically denied to
SFX Magazine)




-***
-*** B5JMS SUBSCRIBERS: Replies to messages go to the list maintainer,
-*** <b5jms-owner at cs.columbia.edu>.  If you want to reply elsewhere, adjust
-*** the "To" field.  See http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~ezk/b5jms/ for all
-*** other information about this list.