The Wonder Years On DVD?

[blurayjunkie]

Are we ever going to see this show on DVD? I think I remember them not getting the rights to the theme song, that's why it never came out on DVD? If this is the case, what's so special about the theme song? Is it owned by a band?

[sycro]

They had a lot of music that would make it expensive to produce. But it is on Netflix and Amazon with adjusted soundtracks, so maybe one day?

And the theme was a cover of a Beatles song.

[jw]

this and Batman 1966 may never happen

[blurayjunkie]

Originally Posted by sycro

They had a lot of music that would make it expensive to produce. But it is on Netflix and Amazon with adjusted soundtracks, so maybe one day?

And the theme was a cover of a Beatles song.

You would think they would make a deal on a % sales of the dvd's sales, instead of demanding money upfront.

[benricci]

Originally Posted by blurayjunkie

You would think they would make a deal on a % sales of the dvd's sales, instead of demanding money upfront.

Unfortunately, that's not how sync licenses or master recording licenses typically work. Wonder Years would need both licenses - one from the song's publisher and one from the record label that owns the actual sound recording copyright - to include any song on a DVD release.

With all the pop music from the '60s they used on the show, that could get really costly, really quick.

[blurayjunkie]

Originally Posted by benricci

Unfortunately, that's not how sync licenses or master recording licenses typically work. Wonder Years would need both licenses - one from the song's publisher and one from the record label that owns the actual sound recording copyright - to include any song on a DVD release.

With all the pop music from the '60s they used on the show, that could get really costly, really quick.

You make a good point. I was only thinking of the theme song, and not songs that maybe in an episode.

With all these problems, you think you would wonder how they got the rights to the music in the first place.

[Scorch]

AFAIK, there's only one officially produced Wonder Years DVD, and this is it. As others mentioned, it's available on Netflix with an adjusted soundtrack. I don't think this will ever get released on DVD

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by blurayjunkie

You make a good point. I was only thinking of the theme song, and not songs that maybe in an episode.

With all these problems, you think you would wonder how they got the rights to the music in the first place.

Home video didn't become a major revenue source until the last decade. Nobody was thinking about licensing music for home video use back when shows like The Wonder Years were made, which has led to shows like The Wonder Years not being released or shows like WKRP in Cincinnati being released with completely different music than it's original airing. Now virtually all shows being made will have the music licensed for home video use when they initially license the music for the show.

[benricci]

Originally Posted by blurayjunkie

You make a good point. I was only thinking of the theme song, and not songs that maybe in an episode.

With all these problems, you think you would wonder how they got the rights to the music in the first place.

Well, they paid for the songs when the shows originally aired, but nobody was thinking of home video releases of TV shows back then. So they likely had nothing negotiated for VHS or future formats (VHS, blu, etc). Which is why they'd now have to go back and pay again to license all the songs they used for broadcast, if they wanted to release these episodes intact on DVD.

Also, it was FAR cheaper to license tracks from '60s artists back then, because most of their careers were pretty much over, and the nostalgia wave was just beginning. For a lot of those musicians, any money was better than no money, especially when a lot of them were struggling to make a living. Now, they have a lot more clout and can ask for a lot more money. Baby boomers pay through the nose to see "re-united" '60s bands in concerts, most of which feature (maybe) one originally member...

But that's a rant for another day...

[blurayjunkie]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Home video didn't become a major revenue source until the last decade. Nobody was thinking about licensing music for home video use back when shows like The Wonder Years were made, which has led to shows like The Wonder Years not being released or shows like WKRP in Cincinnati being released with completely different music than it's original airing. Now virtually all shows being made will have the music licensed for home video use when they initially license the music for the show.

Well what do ya know, ya learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info.

[blurayjunkie]

Originally Posted by benricci

Well, they paid for the songs when the shows originally aired, but nobody was thinking of home video releases of TV shows back then. So they likely had nothing negotiated for VHS or future formats (VHS, blu, etc). Which is why they'd now have to go back and pay again to license all the songs they used for broadcast, if they wanted to release these episodes intact on DVD.

Also, it was FAR cheaper to license tracks from '60s artists back then, because most of their careers were pretty much over, and the nostalgia wave was just beginning. For a lot of those musicians, any money was better than no money, especially when a lot of them were struggling to make a living. Now, they have a lot more clout and can ask for a lot more money. Baby boomers pay through the nose to see "re-united" '60s bands in concerts, most of which feature (maybe) one originally member...

But that's a rant for another day...

It's amazing how greedy people can be these days

[benricci]

Originally Posted by blurayjunkie

It's amazing how greedy people can be these days

Considering how much these artists were ripped off back in the day, (for me at least) it's nice to see them finally get paid for their art. It's just unfortunate for fans of older TV shows that used a lot of pop music...

[RuLeX]

Is it right about a Hendrix song being missing from the Forrest Gump soundtrack for the same reason?

I loved The wonder Years when I was a kid. I think the theme tune would really be a miss not to be on any home release. Maybe one day. .

[LordCrumb]

Would this show be any good to watch as a first time viewer? or would it have aged really badly?

[enigma]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

Would this show be any good to watch as a first time viewer? or would it have aged really badly?

It's absolutely amazing. I'd be hard-pressed to believe you'd be disappointed.

[alwaysHD]

at least its on netflix, i watch at least 2+ episodes a day

[benricci]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

Would this show be any good to watch as a first time viewer? or would it have aged really badly?

Since it's a period show, it doesn't really age as badly as other '80s TV shows.

[critterdvd]

Originally Posted by benricci

Since it's a period show, it doesn't really age as badly as other '80s TV shows.

I agree. I've been watching for the first time these last couple of weeks and I've just finished season 1. It definitely feels like its from another time in TV production, but because it's a period piece IMO it adds to the feel.

[Coligion]

More must be going on behind the scenes than just music licensing problems. Other shows that have highly recognizable music have been released. One show in particular catches my attention: Miami Vice. That show had a ton of high-profile radio hits throughout it's airing and it wasn't too stalled for a home video release. Perhaps Universal was just more willing to front the cost and get it released?