“Sales of tv shows on DVD have become the fastest-growing segment of the home entertainment business, generating an estimated $800 million to $1 billion a year. When the digital disc format debuted five years ago, most studio executives figured that there would be little interest in shows from the small screen. Not so with the digital format. “TV DVDs are white-hot,” said Peter Staddon, senior vice president for marketing at Fox Home Video. “Everyone is rushing out DVD releases of their TV shows.” It’s no surprise that hits still on the air, such as The Simpsons and The Sopranos, are top sellers. But nostalgia also is fueling the trend.
The Simpsons helped Fox reap more than $100 million last year from DVD sales of TV shows. “We’re doing audio commentaries for every episode, much to the chagrin of Fox Home Video,” said Matt Groening, creator of “The Simpsons.” “They want us to put this show out much faster than we’re able to crank out these audio commentaries.” Although things are going much faster these days, Groening joked, “we’ve run out of things to say, and we’re just like whistling and doing little songs and stuff.” Read More >>>