by Craig Medlin

Created on: July 26, 2008

They just canceled your favorite television show. And that really sucks. But luckily, you'll be able to buy the complete series on digital video disk. Or will you? It's likely that you've been to the store to purchase your favorite television series on DVD and you can't seem to find it. Some television shows take years to hit the shelves, and others, sadly enough, aren't released at all. Why is that?

There are many factors involved when studios refuse or delay the release of popular and even unpopular television shows. A major contributing factor is that of licensed music. Some series use licensed songs throughout, but the studios and producers only purchased a license to allow for broadcast and not redistribution. This will hinder the release because the studio has to go back and recut a new soundtrack or simply replace the original with that of generic music. Sometimes they even forgo this sense many are likely to be disapointed with the results.

As was the case with Fastlane. The series originally aired on FOX in 2002 and was cancelled due to budgetary concerns. But it took nearly six years after the final episode aired for a release onto DVD. Many wondered why the acclaimed series took so long to release but didn't hesitate to purchase it. However, they were in for a surprise. Fans of the show say that music played almost as a secondary character, providing for emotional draw. On the DVD, the music was replaced by generic sound bits. Plenty attempted to return their purchases and most were unsatisfied, all being fans of the original series.

Another reason television shows are not released on DVD is because the studio feels they will have no marketability or be able to bring in the big bucks. In the entertainment industry, most things revolve around the big green dollar. So if they don't believe it will provide a reasonable rate of return, they won't bother doing it. If the show had low ratings, was canceled before the entire season ran, or simply had horrible reviews, it's plausible that you won't be able to find it on DVD.

Some people are greatly disappointed when they can't find their cherished televison show on a digital video disk collection. Many shows that can't be found on DVD, can't be found on television anymore either, even with reruns. You should now be able to see, with some understanding, why you are unable to find certain shows on DVD.

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