Network DVD releases

[goldmister]

Im sure a lot of people here know but I don't so thought I'd ask.
What happened with the DVD releases?
There seemed to be many released and quite often too...and then it just stopped.
Does anyone know why? I'd have really like to see a lot more of the 80's episodes.

[Mike of CAS]

The main problem was the golden goose laid too many golden eggs at once.

As someone said there were three volumes released in one month, £60! Got a bit much even for us avid fans, and those buying them to watch over time got so far behind they stopped (this was noted on a couple of DVD sales forums). The original plan was one every two months I believe, then it became one a month - that was reasonable. Then came two a month, that pushed it.

There was also an issue with Crossroads fans (older ladies generally, ringing up Network and getting a moutful of abuse) which Network didn't take to kindly to myself giving them a public lashing over.

oops.

[goldmister]

Old ladies, abuse, tongue lashing in public....good lord!

[Mike of CAS]

anyhooo.. I know some people said it may have also dropped off when it started getting into 'a full run of episodes' but they released most of 1978 and well into 1979 where most of the episodes survive and seems a bit odd for people to suddenly say 'enough' with the storyline just as it starts to get into pace.

TBH, 1979 after the strike is really where UK Gold should have started as its noted this era 1979-1981 is possibly its best. I know there are a handful of episodes missing, but none loads in a row and as viewers once proved by not noticing ATV aired Crossroads out of order once, you can really miss an episode and not miss too much.

On the Network issue... Yes I think I shouldn't have said to the MD of Network DVD that if he didn't get his act together I'd drag him by what little hair he had left through the courts.

He rather slandered CAS somewhat.

But if he was that petty to stop because his company was picked up on poor service then thats sad. Howeve I think it was petty as after the incident (MAY 2008) you start to notice they got a bit more bitchy with the write ups of episodes and did stupid screen grabs for the sleeve - one with Meg with her eyes shut.

I urge ATV Network to release them themselves, but unfortunately it seems Network have a unique deal with ITV Global to release old ITV stuff, so we're stuffed at the moment.

There is a 2hr or so 'ITC Best of 1981' if you can get your hands on it. I lent mine to ITV (As ITC wiped the master) and they never sent it back!

[goldmister]

Bugger. I'd love to see some of the 80s ones. My era really. I came to it late.
I should have copied everything when I had my hands on the TX copies at UK Gold, but then Id have been copying practically eveyrthing in the library

[goldmister]

TBH, 1979 after the strike is really where UK Gold should have started as its noted this era 1979-1981 is possibly its best.

We coudn't get any earlier episodes. Our deal was with Central from what I remember, hence having Bullseye as well around the same time. I assumed we were given the episdoes made by "Central" as opposed to "ATV"

[Mike of CAS]

Yes Central were very sly with what was theirs over ITC, I know that some were made by ATV in 81 for Central in 82 (Jan/feb), however UK Gold did show New Years Eve 1981 which was very much ATV, and a few before it I think.

I doubt ITC cared, they were too busy losing episodes to bother checking what Central were doing.

[DJB]

UK Gold began showing episodes from the start of the complete existing run-from mid November 1981.Strangely the last lost episodes were immediately post-Meg.

[Mike of CAS]

is it the one after the QE2 thats missing, there is one near that thats missing but I can't remember if its just one. I don't think it was prohibitive of screening the fire and qe2. I think really starting in 1979 is quite able to be done. Its not much effort to make a short intro for each 'short' gap of episodes.

[DJB]

Mike,it seems that the two episodes following the QE2 are missing.Although,I would bet they exist on VHS somewhere out there.

[paul ross]

Mike and myself disagree about eras! so Mike stop reading this....  Glen, the early 80s were the bees knees by a long way. I have most of those on video that Valerie Pollard (Not the real one you understand) copied for me. I thought sales of the DVDs began to go down before they were being sold three a month - my version is that it was a pretty ineffectual era! Benny seemed to be everywhere; too much of Meg projecting in the sitting room as if she was on a stage! and the dreary kitchen and non ending farm houses put the tin hat on it for me. There was no real bite or surprise in those years with few exceptions like the Mrs Bailey story - I'm sure by 79/80 things would start to pick up. (Ironically I did like Mr Booth and McFee - not sure what environment they would have suited better!) For me 81/82/83/84 were Crossroads at its best and when I look at the programme now the quality is far superior to anything British you get today - especially in regards to scripts.

[Mike of CAS]

But we haven't got into the good good era yet, its after the 1979 strike when they get all those months to plot, plan and sort the series out.

1982-4 is alright, but its as that critic always said (And for once I agree) 'trying to be a serious serial, which isn't very crossroads at all.'

[paul ross]

I am looking forward to seeing 79/80 and 81 years. Going by Jean's site - the stories in the first half of 80 seem very intriguing.

[Maria No. 1.]

Going from memory I can remember Meg getting a marriage proposal in 1980.  I found that storyline most interesting.

[paul ross]

A marriage proposal? I suppose you won't say who the proposal comes from?!