• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, June 2, 2005

There aren't enough TV shows to watch. Even the mediocre ones need further examination - which seems to be what the glut of TV-DVD releases is all about.

The Hollywood Reporter noted there was over 55 percent more TV titles released on DVD this past May than the year before. So many TV-DVD packages are jamming store shelves that distributors now have to engineer thinner DVD packaging. All this to squeeze onto shelves series such as ABC's 2001 reality show, "The Mole," HBO's Washington, DC-themed, "K Street" and NBC's 1980 "Pink Lady and Jeff."

Distributors are particularly concerned over the newer shows. With the increasing glut, they wonder if retailers shouldn't just discount older seasons - in favor of maintaining prices on the new season releases. The business has grown so fast and furious it is credited with bringing back one favorite cult TV show into production, "Family Guy," which has found a second life on Fox.

All this is good news for TV producers looking to make an extra buck from their short-lived series - even poorly made TV programs. With the syndication after market increasingly difficult to grab revenue - apart from off-network top-rated comedies -- the DVD business looks like a financial savior.

Creatively, producers will feel more supported -- with the knowledge that ardent fans will support niche quality programs.

Then again, maybe it's just a waste of time. Do we really need a "Pink Lady and Jeff" release? After all, how much marketing money can a studio put against older library properties?

The answer is very little. And it doesn't really matter. When the production costs on some of this material is so small, the revenues on these sales are pure gravy. This may suit TV watchers just fine. But eventually they'll need to look for more meat.