Marketing "Crossroads" v "Crown Court" DVDs

[Anonymous]

Can anyone think of a reason why (particularly in recent times with all the publicity re the return of the early episode) that Network continue releasing Crossroads DVDs exclusively to their site .. apart from the obvious reason of overpricing!

I know it was stated that Crossroads was a low volume seller but now that the publicity is everywhere is this really the case compared to so many of their output? ... and Network seem to be releasing Crown Court (surely less in the public eye and with a lesser profile?) non exclusively and on a similar monthly cycle ....

The Crown Court sets (4 disks .. total of 36 x 25 mins episodes) can be bought routinely at c£18.  The Crossroads sets (only 2 disks ... and only 16 x 20 mins episodes!) are generally no cheaper than £16 if bought in advance (they take your money straight away too) or £20!! (Unless the sets are full of re-releases from their first four general DVDs).

With episode lengths of only 20 mins .. there could easily be 18 episodes per 2 disk set (or even more) for a start and would still be only half the value of the Crown Court sets available at similar price ... and they could be not only available to a wider customer base if generally available .. but the value to the regular customer due to competetion would be so much the greater. They may even shift more sets .... I assume the model IS working for Crown Court ...

... so now with Crossroads "in the news" and with an active fan base that so many programmes released of Network DVD lack ... why continue the "exclusive" policy ..

... are Crossroads fans just being milked??

[Mike of CAS]

Well originally dear Tish recalled the name, how kind of her, that Politicos Media were wanting to release the DVDs, but Carlton said 'no' and went on to lose a load of episodes.

Not sure about prices, you must ask Network - certainly losing out on a lot of sales from it just being online.

[Barbara Hunter]

Well all the money they're making from the fans you'd think they would be able to make decent sleeves.

All the hundreds of thousands of Crossroads imagery from over the years.


Apart from that I am satisfied. Would have been nice if they had maybe paid Jean some money to make information about the story lines accessible.

[Mike of CAS]

Well I think Carlton put a load of photos/stills in a skip.

So maybe not as many as their should be. Personally I am more bothered about the photographs than the moving footage - because so little moving footage is there for the early years it was paramount that the images survived.

[Meg Richardson]

Can anyone think of a reason why (particularly in recent times with all the publicity re the return of the early episode) that Network continue releasing Crossroads DVDs exclusively to their site .. apart from the obvious reason of overpricing!

I think it was quite clear its to make the most money. When Central News last week accidentally said the DVDs would be in the shops it proved there was a store demand.

I know it was stated that Crossroads was a low volume seller

Only because the older fans won't know about it. They're not online, and I'm sure don't shop in HMV darling.

now that the publicity is everywhere is this really the case compared to so many of their output?

Well unless Woothworths stick it on their shelf unlikely darling. Although I think in 'archive' telly terms it sold not too badly.

With episode lengths of only 20 mins .. there could easily be 18 episodes per 2 disk set (or even more) for a start and would still be only half the value of the Crown Court sets available at similar price ... and they could be not only available to a wider customer base if generally available .. but the value to the regular customer due to competetion would be so much the greater. They may even shift more sets .... I assume the model IS working for Crown Court ...

Yes, very true. We do have basic releases, with awful sleeves that over look many of the cast. TISH darling!

are Crossroads fans just being milked??

You must ask, you must ask Network DVD.

[paul ross]

"You must ask Network"! and what would a likely reply be?!!!! Yes, we milk these 'cases' as they obviously have neither taste nor a life!

[Mike of CAS]

LOL, and people say I've been blunt.  

[Anonymous]

LOL took long enough to realise it was a bad value for money.

Like ITV today the only thing these companies are interested in is money, and just look around at what has been said and see they will trample over anyone if it harms their sales.

I have never bought a volume new and never will.

[Anonymous]

oooooohhhhh crown courts lol

[Anonymous]

what u mean ohhh crown court
strange person  
lol

[chimneys]

Red TV on Sky channel 186 shows episodes of Crown Court every day.  Each case used to last three episodes, shown over a week, and a whole case is broadcast on Red TV  from 9 - 10.30am and 3 - 4.30pm every week day.  So, no need to buy expensive DVDs!

(No, I don't work for Red - but I do record Crown Court and watch it at weekends!)

[Teddington]

Red TV on Sky channel 186 shows episodes of Crown Court every day.  Each case used to last three episodes, shown over a week, and a whole case is broadcast on Red TV  from 9 - 10.30am and 3 - 4.30pm every week day.  So, no need to buy expensive DVDs!

Only expensive Sky subscriptions!
Seriously, compared to the Crossroads DVDs they are good value at about 18 Quid for per volume (HMV, Play.com etc) (vol 1 is alot cheaper than that at the mo) .. containing 12 complete stories (or 36 25 min episodes) over 4 disks .. and no on screen junk or ad breaks or poor broadcast bit rates or faffing around recording and editing them whilst at work!

[Doltrice]

Its just almost a bit of a rip off isn't it?

They realised Crossroads fans are like a donkey. Dangle a carrot in front of it and it'll follow. They make much more out of the web exclusives.

Just look at Ebay to see the silly prices people will now pay for Crossroads items.

[Shughie]

Ah they can't help being the DVD company equivalent to what Ann George was to acting.

Its a curse of todays society, when you just can't get the staff.

[Meg Richardson]

Is that ITV's excuse?

The BBC seem to cope better?