Season 3 in USA??

[on:]

When do you guys think Futurama Season 3 and 4 will show themselves on US shores. I can't wait to own all the volumes and importing isn't an option for me. Only Season 2 is up on US Amazon so if you guys could help me out and give me a date estimate i would be very thankful.

[Reply #1 on:]

I'm guessing, seeing as how we're a year off, Volume 3 in the summer of 2004 and Volume 4 in late 2004/early 2005.
Sad, isn't it? [cries]
Also, welcome to PEEL, fryfriends!

[Reply #2 on:]

But Season One in the US came out in March, whereas S2 is scheduled for August. That's a gap of only 6 months, not the 10/11 it took in the UK. You might even see S3 around Christmas (or Xmas  ), since all of the production work has already been done. The problem is that nobody really knows. There doesn't really seem to be any pattern to the release dates of items.

[Reply #3 on:]

I think we'll see them both by next march now that the show has been sold to a few channels in syndication.

[Reply #4 on:]

I'd guess that volumes three and four would release at the same times as one and two respectively, to keep up the six month difference between each.  Could be wrong though, seeing as how the production will be done on all of them at that point.

[Reply #5 on:]

is there a season 5?

nevermind i just figured out that the DVDs are production seasons not aired seasons nevermind

[Reply #6 on:]

Season 3: December 2003
Season 4: March 2004

The production is done, and season 4 will be released in Europe in November. The reason for the space of the releases is not because it takes 6 months to change a regional code, but rather for marketing purposes. It would be a bad marketing move to not try shipping out a DVD release during the Christmas season since Vol. 2's release is far enough into August and Summer season where the sales would not be hurt.

[Reply #7 on:]

I just read in a recent interview with David X. Cohen that S3 will most likely be released around spring of 2004, although he would like a christmas release. I don't get it, how hard is it to bring DVD that have been released already to the US? All you have to do is encode the DVD's to region 1 and you done! Why does it have to take so long?

[Reply #8 on:]

It's more a case of maximising sales of the previous set. The general opinion in the sales trade is that if the sets were all released soon after each other, people would buy fewer sets. It's essentially the same reason a lot of movies don't get a simulataneous worldwide release. The technical work itself isn't particularly difficult, but technical reasons are rarely the cause for DVD delays.

[Reply #9 on:]

 

I just read in a recent interview with David X. Cohen that S3 will most likely be released around spring of 2004

He says that simply because he believes that if they were going to release it they would have annouced it already.

[Reply #10 on:]

AH DAMN YOU FOX MUST YOU continue this ongoing torture of us American futurama fans!

[Reply #11 on:]

Originally posted by The Master Con:
Season 3: December 2003
Season 4: March 2004
QUOTE]

YES! Those are the release dates I want! If they are released on Dec and Mar, I will be so happy. In the meantime, I shall watch season 2 on DVD and watch season 3-4 on TBS.

[Reply #12 on:]

OMG, if those are the real dates, that'd be awesome! Too much Futurama, is it a bad thing?

[Reply #13 on:]

Why does Europe get the Dvds bfore U.S, but get simpsons after the U.S.?

[Reply #14 on:]

I don't know, but it's annoying, since Simpsons sets come out like once a year, and Futurama can come out in a matter of months.

[Reply #15 on:]

BNLbum's Predictions of Eerie Accuracy:

SEASON THREE: March 2004

SEASON FOUR: August 2004

I would love to see them sooner, but that's how its gonna be. Since they're finished, why not release them sooner, you ax? Well, while it isn't a question of getting more money for syndication or waiting for all the episodes to air, FOX believes the way to move the most copies of the DVD is to spread them out - at least a little.

Tinny Tim: Very good, sir. But are you infalliable?

GOOD QUESTION, TINNY TIM. I'm omniscient, so there's no chance I'm wrong.

However, the only variable which could throw a metaphorical wrench into my explanation is if a Futurama movie gets released - or if (by some act of Jah) Futurama is renewed on FOX.

Should either of these events occur, Season Four will no doubt be delayed so that FOX may use it as a stepping stone for their marketing campaign, again to increase their profits.

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by BNLbum:
BNLbum's Predictions of Eerie Accuracy:

FOX believes the way to move the most copies of the DVD is to spread them out - at least a little.

That's very interesting.  Considering that a studio like Paramount believes that they can be successful by releasing the entire run of a seven-season show like Star Trek: The Next Generation or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in one calendar year, I wonder which company's Marketing team is actually on the right track?

My personal opinion would be: Out-of-sight, out-of-mind.  I would think that there would be certain "casual" fans out there that would lose track of release dates if they're spaced too far apart.

As for me: I purchased Futurama - Volume One last weekend, and then I went back to pick up Volume Two on its release day of Tuesday, August 12 - just days after my purchase of Volume One.  I would be happier if they were released one after the other.

So BNLbum, what's the actual marketing "theory" surrounding the belief of selling more copies if releases are spaced out?  I don't understand it, and I'm hoping that you can enlighten me.

[Reply #17 on:]

They're afraid of overexposure. Too much Futurama, and they believe people will become bored with the series and therefor be less likely to shell out their precious cash in order to purchase the DVDs.

Other examples:

The Lord of the Rings films were made one after another - but in order to increase profit margins, they formulated this schedual:

DECEMBER: RELEASE FILM
AUGUST: RELEASE DVD
OCTOBER: RELEASE EXTENDED DVD
Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Although all of the Lord of the Rings films weren't ready by the time the first one was released, it is my understanding that we were complete substantially earlier than they were released. Following this schedual, the studio believes the releases of the DVDs will "remind" people of the franchise, the extended versions will get people excited about the franchise again, and by the time the film is released they will be lining up at the theatre.

The same basic marketing scheme was again applied to The Matrix: Reloaded and The Matrix: Revolutions. Both films were complete when Reloaded was released. In theory, they could've opened side-by-side, or within a single month of each other. But using the cliffhanger ending to their advantage, they figure people will sit around wondering what the hell is going on, then hurry to the theatres in November when Revolutions is released, selling out show after show and again, increased profit. The studio is once again using the October release of the Reloaded DVD to stir up interest in the trilogy once more before it is released.

For hardcore fans, or even moderately hardcore fans, these strategies are probably pretty meaningless. I would've loved to be able to pick up all four seasons of Futurama at the same time, then sat around in the days before school starts and have a Bender bender. However, FOX doesn't just want to appeal to the die-hard fans, but also to more moderate fans.

Paramount's marketing team probably relies on the philosophy that only hardcore fans are going to be really interested in Star Trek DVDs (debatable). If all four season of Futurama were relased in one year, I would certainly purchase them all, but some of my friends who are more moderate fans would probably not, instead buying one or two seasons and waiting for price drops on the rest.

Will Futurama seasons three and four lose sales because they're released later? Maybe. The last episode airing just before the realease of the second season probably helped sales considerably, but if FOX plays their cards right and advertises the third and fourth DVD sets on TBS, Cartoon Network, and FOX, then they will probably sell very well none-the-less.

How likely are my predictions? I'd bet money on the Season Three release, because it would've been announced by now if it were sooner. As for Season Four, I don't see why they'd change their marketing scheme now... But I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[Reply #18 on:]

I think that you are wrong on your predictions of the release dates.  You are just using the exact dates that seasons 1 & 2 were released this year.  But why would there be a 5 month wait between seasons 1 & 2 followed by a 7 month wait between 2 & 3 then followed by a 5 month wait between 3 & 4.  That doesn't make much sense to me. 

When they initially announced the season 2 release date it was in September, a 6 month difference between release dates.  Seeing how well season 1 sold they pushed the release date for season 2 up to August making it only a five month wait.

I don't think that Fox is as caught up as you to use the same exact dates as last year.  Why wouldn't they just stick to the 5 month timetable that they established so far.  Thus making my eerily accurate prediction to be:

Season 3: January 2004
Season 4: June 2004

Now I admit that Fox might go to a 6 month time table.  Which would make it February and August.  But a 7 month followed by a 5 month just doesn't make any sense.

[Reply #19 on:]

 

Now I admit that Fox might go to a 6 month time table. Which would make it February and August. But a 7 month followed by a 5 month just doesn't make any sense.

Good point. I completely forgot to compensate for the adjusted release date of Season Two. Even so, I'm thinking February and August. Season Two's release date was just knocked up to coincide with the series finale, I think.

[Reply #20 on:]

Like I said, I wouldn't be surprised if it does indeed end up being February and August.  But heres hoping for something a little bit quicker than that.

[Reply #21 on:]

Wow I can't imagine not having the dvds until next year!. Poor you...hehe 

[Reply #22 on:]

Maybe I won't have them until next year, but I still have something you'll never have - A soul! And freckles!

[Reply #23 on:]

 

Originally posted by BNLbum:
Maybe I won't have them until next year, but I still have something you'll never have - A soul! And freckles!

*Cries*

Wait a minute....I have freckles!

But i swear I put my soul somewhere.

*Cries*


*PS. That was a joke. The soul part thing.*

[Reply #24 on:]

I think we may have to ax the Robot Devil about that.

[Reply #25 on:]

Why don't you ppl have season 3 yet it came out ages ago in the uk theres only 3 months left in the uk to get the 4th season im glad i live in london

[Reply #26 on:]

Due to syndication here, the DVD releases are more spaced out. It sucks that we have to wait so long, which is why I decided to import the Region 2 release. Not everyone has that option though.

[Reply #27 on:]

Remember, Season 2 was bumped up because of the good ratings on CN and good sells of Season 1.  Assuming sales and ratings stay strong, I don't think a release in late Novemeber, early December is impossible, to take advantage of the holidays. 

This is especially true since all the design is done, assuming they can find production capacity, Why not speed it up?

[Reply #28 on:]

You're free to order online from Europe any time you want.  I have the first three volumes and a region-free NTSC/PAL player.  I've always had excellent service from Amazon.co.uk, though there are other sources as well.  Prices are a  tad higher than they are for the Region 1 version, but not outrageously so.  And they're available a whole bunch sooner.

[Reply #29 on:]

But I need it now!

[Reply #30 on:]

hey, PEELcome Slurm Cuy 

[Reply #31 on:]

 

Originally posted by Unca Dave:
You're free to order online from Europe any time you want.  I have the first three volumes and a region-free NTSC/PAL player.  I've always had excellent service from Amazon.co.uk, though there are other sources as well.  Prices are a  tad higher than they are for the Region 1 version, but not outrageously so.  And they're available a whole bunch sooner.

So tell me how you get this "reigon-free NTSC/PAL player".

I WANT ONE GODDAMMIT! I WANT THE EPISODES! I WANT SEASON 3! WHY CAN'T I WATCH MY FAVORITE EPISODE!?!?!?!?!

*hyperventilates while desiring to watch her favorite ep, Insane in the Mainframe*

Sorry about that... I'll try to contain it, but some things just get me so pissed *punches a punching bag with a picture of the FOX logo on it* and all.

Just tell me more about this reigonal player stuff. Are they expensive for people in the US? Where do I get them? I really want the DVDs ASAP so I just wanna know.

[Reply #32 on:]

I have the Norcent DP-300 player and it works well for me. You can make it region-free by entering a simple remote-sequence. It also handles the NTSC-PAL conversion.

I got it for $40 from Amazon. Hard to beat that price!

Here's the link:

 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007FSB9//ref=pm_dp_ln_e_1/002-9130016-5964012?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Reply #33 on:]

I am agreeing with BNLbum concerning a February release of S3 R1, but I think that is because it will be tied to something happening on Cartoon Network that month.

In November, Cartoon will gain access to the Fox Season 5 shows.  Assuming they will start over with Space Pilot 3000 with much advertising of the "All 72 episodes!" variety (since November is a sweeps month where ratings really count and set advertising prices), a very interesting thing will happen come February (a.k.a. the next sweeps month,)the  bulk of the FOX Season 5 shows will air for the first time on CN.  Again - expect much advertising by CN.

Considering the strong ratings that Futurama has generated since it joined Adult Swim on CN, Cartoon Network and FOX Home Video (remember, they are the good guys in the FOX stable) will expect some very serious numbers for that month since newer Futurama fans will tune in for what are brand new episodes to them.  As such, the S3 DVD set should be released then to take advantage of what is to FOX Home Video, free advertising.

S4 is harder to predict because barring something new going on in the Futurama universe (and yes, all of my fingers are crossed on that one), there is nothing really big to tie a release to.  As such, the "wait six months so that everyone who is going to buy S3 does so" marketing plan is my best guess - meaning August.

Of course as BNL bum said in another post - if by August 2004 there is some new Futurama thingie on the horizen or even a high profile brand new Matt Groening project, it could be delayed a bit.

[Reply #34 on:]

Also, the DVDs are admittedly expensive. If they released them all close to each other. Many people would opt to buy one or maybe two. When the release is spread out, people can afford to spend money on them all.