My technical meanderings and other nonsense. Published since 2002. No, really. I'm *that* internet-old. I remember the days of I was informed today that season 6 of 24 is already being released on DVD, even though the episodes just started airing this week.
My impression was shock, to say the least, since the past few years I’ve patiently waited for the entire box set to be released each December – almost 9 months after the last episode airs. Typically with television shows (as with movies), there is a certain “wait time” for the DVD box set to be produced and distributed.
If this is true, perhaps we won’t have to wait long for television shows to come out on DVD – which is my preferred way of watching television. We could essentially “keep up” with the network airing of television shows – but without having to commit to a “set schedule,” such as every Monday at 7 PM. DVD’s offer more freedom, and without the commercials (more on “commericials” in a minute).
My source says that a single DVD will be released each week – or something to that effect.
I realize iTunes probably already does this, in the form of digital downloads, but I was curious if Netflix carried it.
Sure enough, Netflix has a DVD rental available for 24, Season 6 Premiere. From what I can tell, this disc is the first few episodes of season 6, but it’s hard to tell for sure. I don’t actually see a description of what’s on the disc – such as, “This disc contains episodes xxxx, xxx, etc.”
Still, it appears legitimate.
What about conflicting with commercials?
This is a curious concept, considering DVD’s don’t contain commercials – so don’t the television networks risk losing regular viewers – specifically for the commercial revenue?
It appears this is the case, but another viewpoint has just come my way.
It seems that many television networks are including commercials in the TV show itself. How can they do this, you wonder?
Simple – just include “product placement” on the set, or as part of the script.
I noticed this on the DVD box set for 24, Season 5 – the telephones inside CTU all had a large Cisco Systems logo on them – which was always visible when someone was using a phone. I wondered what this was about, and now it all makes sense.
So it appears commercials are now part of the show. Great!
Also, I remember many lines from The Office where characters have specifically mentioned an existing network television show, products, or something to that effect.
Great idea – and I’m surprised I am just finding out about this.
I too prefer to catch a TV series once it comes out on DVD. I have always been against setting my personal schedule around a particular TV program. This is in fact why I have not had cable for so many years. Now that I’ve had it for the past few months, I’m finding myself fighting to not fall into the rut of what I have been trying to avoid.
There are many perks to waiting – especially the commercial free viewing and the ability to watch the entire series within a week instead of dragging out over several months.
(Here comes a side rant) A perfect case for this is the return of Grey’s Anatomy. They reel you in after sweeps week for the next month or two, then Thanksgiving hits and it’s re-runs for the next several weeks. Then, all of a sudden new shows start to air. By this point, I have forgotten the storylines, and frankly, don’t really care what’s happening. (Yet, I’ve still been watching now that it’s back on) This is why DVD’s are great!
Anyway….product placement. I can’t remember where exactly I read about it, but I think it started coming about with the rising popularity of Tivo. People hate commercials, so networks have to figure out new ways to get their sponsor’s products visible to their audience.
Enter popular TV shows. I have noticed it a lot more, and quite frankly, I’m annoyed by it. When I’m watching a TV show, I don’t want to be forced into a marketing scheme for this product or that. What is supposed to be subtle stands out like an eye sore to me. I almost always catch when a brand name product is used or referenced and the idea that it’s careful product placement and not just ‘part of the script’ is not lost on me at all.
Reality series are the most notorius for this. Take American Idol, sponsored heavily by Ford. What to the winners get? New Ford vehicles. And how many looney video commercials did they make last season, featuring nothing other than Ford cars.
Anyway, this is turning into a way longer than should be rant, and I know I sound like an advertising scrooge, but oh well.
Keep tv show DVDs commercial free, and keep the product placement to a minimum. : )