Breaking bad - Why no UK release? - Blu-ray Forum

DJJez · 06-24-2012, 01:13 AM

dunno if this has been talked about before but why hasnt breaking bad been released in the uk? its one of the most popular tv shows and season 5 is about to begin soon yet we still cant buy it here. i have had to import each season from germany in order to get it on blu ray

Season 4 cost me 30 euro + 7.50 euro shipping which works out to quite alot of money for just 1 season. If it was released in the uk im sure it wouldnt be as expensive

blueman_Richie · 06-24-2012, 03:20 AM

It's not out here because Sony hate us!
Who knows why they do what they do?! The UK is THE biggest home video market in Europe and yet we are routinely "denied" blu-ray releases that most other region B territories get. It makes no sense at all.

Sony continue to release Breaking Bad here on dvd only (and given that it's not aired on UK tv past season 2, it's a miracle it's released at all. Contrary to your assertion DJJez, it's not at all a popular show here in the UK unfortunately). The first 3 seasons are on Netflix UK and no doubt the 4th will be added when it's released on dvd on Oct 1st but for blu-ray and HD fans it's not good enough.

Where is the blu-ray release for the UK, Sony? The discs already exist for Region B so it's not like it'll cost a lot to give us a release! I would buy every season from here in a heartbeat (and wouldn't have to contend with region locked US releases, European releases with covers in non-English or stupidly expensive Australian imports)! Why exactly are Germany, Australia and Holland worthy of Breaking Bad on blu but we aren't?

DaveSimonH · 06-24-2012, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueman_Richie

It's not out here because Sony hate us!
Who knows why they do what they do?! The UK is THE biggest home video market in Europe and yet we are routinely "denied" blu-ray releases that most other region B territories get. It makes no sense at all.

Sony continue to release Breaking Bad here on dvd only (and given that it's not aired on UK tv past season 2, it's a miracle it's released at all. Contrary to your assertion DJJez, it's not at all a popular show here in the UK unfortunately). The first 3 seasons are on Netflix UK and no doubt the 4th will be added when it's released on dvd on Oct 1st but for blu-ray and HD fans it's not good enough.

Where is the blu-ray release for the UK, Sony? The discs already exist for Region B so it's not like it'll cost a lot to give us a release! I would buy every season from here in a heartbeat (and wouldn't have to contend with region locked US releases, European releases with covers in non-English or stupidly expensive Australian imports)! Why exactly are Germany, Australia and Holland worthy of Breaking Bad on blu but we aren't?

Its popularity, or lack there of, in the UK is probably the reason for no UK blu-ray releases.
Its a series I'd like to try but I missed the first season and didn't want to jump in at s2. I guess I'll have to import the US release (which isn't an option for most as its A locked

).

Buddy Ackerman · 06-24-2012, 06:57 AM

I imported the Australian releases. They cost about £25 each including shipping but they're worth it. Season 3 especially is stunning (I'm just watching season 4 now). Plus it's the best show on TV at the moment.

This is a show that was made for blu-ray, with its stunning use of colour and landscapes. It's a shame it never got a blu-ray release here.

slaphead · 06-24-2012, 09:15 AM

It is stuff like this that leads people to piracy. I have money burning a hole in my pocket for the chance to buy Breaking Bad on Blu-Ray. Sony in their infinite wisdom decided that why blu-ray is fine for elsewhere in the world the UK only deserves regular DVD.

Then I spot the flaw in their plan and buy Breaking Bad from Australia, paying extra for shipping etc, I fire it up in the Playstation and... no commentaries.

If studios really cared about Piracy they would give everyone the same product on the same date, all the time they insist on withholding releases and extras people will continue to pirate their product.

Dharma572 · 06-24-2012, 09:45 AM

There's no Bluray release here because there's no real demand for it. I think Channel 5 aired the first two seasons but no other broadcaster will pick it up. Thought it would at least move to Sky Atlantic or something. It's a shame because it's one of the best shows on TV but it's not popular in the UK at all. As someone posted above, I'm surprised it even gets a DVD release here seeing as it's had no television premiere.

Soze · 06-24-2012, 09:46 AM

There is a thread about this already somewhere, lots of us moaning about it. I agree it's the best TV show around at the moment but most people I know have never even heard of it. Heaven knows why we ignore such great US shows in this country, I'm sure it would have been a massive hit if people had actually been made aware of it.

Ozu Teapot · 06-24-2012, 11:32 AM

I think Breaking Bad hasn't been given a good enough chance on UK TV, and that it's chances were in fact hampered by the second broadcaster to run it.

The first series first aired on the FX channel which was fine. FX have shown some great series like True Blood and Dexter which have gone on to be picked up by Channel 4 and have enjoyed great success.

Breaking Bad was then picked up by FiveUSA. I don't know whether FX were no longer interested or whether FiveUSA snatched it from them, but in any case FiveUSA then re-showed series one which again is fine. However when it came to series two FiveUSA in their infinite wisdom decided to broadcast the episodes not weekly but every single night. At midnight. At Christmas.

If I remember correctly they actually had a break on Christmas night but the final episode aired at midnight on New Years Eve/Day. Now I managed to watch the whole series by videoing it, but to be honest it was a bit of a pain in the arse and I doubt the average viewer would have the inclination or patience to follow a series broadcast in such a ludicrous time slot.

If Breaking Bad lacks popularity in the UK I think FiveUSA are a lot to blame. What does surprise me is that considering it's numerous award nominations and wins in the US that no channel here has given it a try again since - unless they're basing their decisions simply on the viewing figures from the last time it was shown.

Ill_Be_Back · 06-24-2012, 11:38 AM

I love breaking bad but you can cheaply import them from the U.S

Buddy Ackerman · 06-24-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Yeux Sans Visage

If Breaking Bad lacks popularity in the UK I think FiveUSA are a lot to blame. What does surprise me is that considering it's numerous award nominations and wins in the US that no channel here has given it a try again since - unless they're basing their decisions simply on the viewing figures from the last time it was shown.

You're half right - it is to do with FiveUSA's viewing figures. But it's also to do with how much AMC are charging for it. Apparently it's a high figure due to it being such a prestigious show and, if you're a UK broadcaster, you're going to look at the price and look at the FiveUSA ratings and conclude that the UK audience isn't there.

DaveSimonH · 06-24-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ill_Be_Back

I love breaking bad but you can cheaply import them from the U.S

If you have a Region ABC player.

TH Huxley · 06-24-2012, 11:56 AM

I have this same issue with Weeds, with only season one being released in Europe, and Seasons 5 and upwards in the USA being region locked. Boo-urns.

Ill_Be_Back · 06-24-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

If you have a Region ABC player.

Yeah, you can easily get a region A player for £80.00 including postage from Amazon.com. I can't see breaking bad being released anytime soon over here...

levcore · 06-24-2012, 12:54 PM

Fed up with waiting, i ordered season 1 which turned up this week. it's my Birthday on the first and i'm getting seasons 2-4. i love this show so much, its my favourite ever and it's really frustrating having no UK release. Fortunately i'm now region free. I can vouch for season one looking great on blu ray with some awesome extras!

Matt · 06-24-2012, 12:59 PM

Everyone in this thread is correct. The reasons why it isn't coming to the UK is:

1. It was never picked up for proper broadcast by one of the big broadcasters like Sky or FX (FX picked up Dexter and lo and behold, they've released 4, 5 and 6 on Blu-ray)

2. Lack of interest/knowledge about the series from UK critics and audiences. All of my friends know about Mad Men, Homeland, Game of Thrones but they have honestly never heard of Breaking Bad, apart from the one person like me who has to obtain shows by other methods when they aren't available legally.

3. Releasing them on DVD is probably a less risky move, the DVD market is much stronger than the Blu-ray, they probably want DVD sales to be higher before they roll out the HD guns.

I'd love to own every series on Blu-ray too, but I can't see it happening for the time being. There's more chance of them going back and releasing House all on Blu-ray than this, seeing as how popular that show is, but I'm worried the Blu-ray market isn't strong enough for that either.

Paulc01 · 06-24-2012, 01:27 PM

TV shows being released on Blu ray seems very random and odd over here.

I can understand why this hasn't been released as it's not widely known in the UK.

But I do find it very odd when releases such as ITV's Poirot, Marple, Midsomer Murders and Lewis, and the BBC's Inspector George Gently get released on Blu ray in the States but there's not a glimmer of them being released?

These are all big TV shows in the UK, but no Blu ray (as far as I can see)

blueman_Richie · 06-24-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphead

Then I spot the flaw in their plan and buy Breaking Bad from Australia, paying extra for shipping etc, I fire it up in the Playstation and... no commentaries.

Really? Does this apply to all seasons released in Australia?

Bulletproof Tiger · 06-24-2012, 06:38 PM

These are the blu rays i want most of all. But i don't have the money to buy a region free player at the moment.

Buddy Ackerman · 06-24-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueman_Richie

Really? Does this apply to all seasons released in Australia?

Nope - seasons 1 - 3 all have commentaries. Shame season 4 doesn't.

Buddy Ackerman · 06-24-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulletproof Tiger

These are the blu rays i want most of all. But i don't have the money to buy a region free player at the moment.

The German ones will work fine for you. I went for the Australian versions as I bought season 3 when there wasn't a German release and bought the others for continuity. The Australians ones worked out about £25 each including shipping and will also work for you.

06-24-2012, 01:13 AM	#1
DJJez Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Aug 2011 Location:Reading, England Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1160 Blu-ray collection:2886 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:9	Breaking bad - Why no UK release? dunno if this has been talked about before but why hasnt breaking bad been released in the uk? its one of the most popular tv shows and season 5 is about to begin soon yet we still cant buy it here. i have had to import each season from germany in order to get it on blu ray Season 4 cost me 30 euro + 7.50 euro shipping which works out to quite alot of money for just 1 season. If it was released in the uk im sure it wouldnt be as expensive

06-24-2012, 12:54 PM	#14
levcore Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Jun 2011 Location:Dryland 4K collection:306 Blu-ray collection:2617 Trading Score:3	Fed up with waiting, i ordered season 1 which turned up this week. it's my Birthday on the first and i'm getting seasons 2-4. i love this show so much, its my favourite ever and it's really frustrating having no UK release. Fortunately i'm now region free. I can vouch for season one looking great on blu ray with some awesome extras! Last edited by levcore; 06-24-2012 at 01:15 PM.

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06-24-2012, 03:20 AM	#2
blueman_Richie Power Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2009	It's not out here because Sony hate us! Who knows why they do what they do?! The UK is THE biggest home video market in Europe and yet we are routinely "denied" blu-ray releases that most other region B territories get. It makes no sense at all. Sony continue to release Breaking Bad here on dvd only (and given that it's not aired on UK tv past season 2, it's a miracle it's released at all. Contrary to your assertion DJJez, it's not at all a popular show here in the UK unfortunately). The first 3 seasons are on Netflix UK and no doubt the 4th will be added when it's released on dvd on Oct 1st but for blu-ray and HD fans it's not good enough. Where is the blu-ray release for the UK, Sony? The discs already exist for Region B so it's not like it'll cost a lot to give us a release! I would buy every season from here in a heartbeat (and wouldn't have to contend with region locked US releases, European releases with covers in non-English or stupidly expensive Australian imports)! Why exactly are Germany, Australia and Holland worthy of Breaking Bad on blu but we aren't?

06-24-2012, 06:57 AM	#4
Buddy Ackerman Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:May 2011 Location:UK 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:917 Trading Score:2	I imported the Australian releases. They cost about £25 each including shipping but they're worth it. Season 3 especially is stunning (I'm just watching season 4 now). Plus it's the best show on TV at the moment. This is a show that was made for blu-ray, with its stunning use of colour and landscapes. It's a shame it never got a blu-ray release here.

06-24-2012, 09:15 AM	#5
slaphead Junior Member Member since:Oct 2011 Blu-ray collection:274	It is stuff like this that leads people to piracy. I have money burning a hole in my pocket for the chance to buy Breaking Bad on Blu-Ray. Sony in their infinite wisdom decided that why blu-ray is fine for elsewhere in the world the UK only deserves regular DVD. Then I spot the flaw in their plan and buy Breaking Bad from Australia, paying extra for shipping etc, I fire it up in the Playstation and... no commentaries. If studios really cared about Piracy they would give everyone the same product on the same date, all the time they insist on withholding releases and extras people will continue to pirate their product.

06-24-2012, 09:45 AM	#6
Dharma572 Active Member Member since:Sep 2011 Location:England Blu-ray collection:159 Trading Score:1	There's no Bluray release here because there's no real demand for it. I think Channel 5 aired the first two seasons but no other broadcaster will pick it up. Thought it would at least move to Sky Atlantic or something. It's a shame because it's one of the best shows on TV but it's not popular in the UK at all. As someone posted above, I'm surprised it even gets a DVD release here seeing as it's had no television premiere.

06-24-2012, 09:46 AM	#7
Soze Member Member since:Sep 2011 Blu-ray collection:54 DVD collection:19	There is a thread about this already somewhere, lots of us moaning about it. I agree it's the best TV show around at the moment but most people I know have never even heard of it. Heaven knows why we ignore such great US shows in this country, I'm sure it would have been a massive hit if people had actually been made aware of it.

06-24-2012, 11:32 AM	#8
Ozu Teapot Senior Member Member since:Jun 2011 Blu-ray collection:419	I think Breaking Bad hasn't been given a good enough chance on UK TV, and that it's chances were in fact hampered by the second broadcaster to run it. The first series first aired on the FX channel which was fine. FX have shown some great series like True Blood and Dexter which have gone on to be picked up by Channel 4 and have enjoyed great success. Breaking Bad was then picked up by FiveUSA. I don't know whether FX were no longer interested or whether FiveUSA snatched it from them, but in any case FiveUSA then re-showed series one which again is fine. However when it came to series two FiveUSA in their infinite wisdom decided to broadcast the episodes not weekly but every single night. At midnight. At Christmas. If I remember correctly they actually had a break on Christmas night but the final episode aired at midnight on New Years Eve/Day. Now I managed to watch the whole series by videoing it, but to be honest it was a bit of a pain in the arse and I doubt the average viewer would have the inclination or patience to follow a series broadcast in such a ludicrous time slot. If Breaking Bad lacks popularity in the UK I think FiveUSA are a lot to blame. What does surprise me is that considering it's numerous award nominations and wins in the US that no channel here has given it a try again since - unless they're basing their decisions simply on the viewing figures from the last time it was shown.

06-24-2012, 11:38 AM	#9
Ill_Be_Back Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Mar 2012 Location:Northern Ireland Trading Score:35	I love breaking bad but you can cheaply import them from the U.S

06-24-2012, 11:56 AM	#12
TH Huxley Junior Member Member since:Feb 2012	I have this same issue with Weeds, with only season one being released in Europe, and Seasons 5 and upwards in the USA being region locked. Boo-urns.

06-24-2012, 12:59 PM	#15
Matt Member Member since:Apr 2011 Location:West Midlands, UK Blu-ray collection:182	Everyone in this thread is correct. The reasons why it isn't coming to the UK is: 1. It was never picked up for proper broadcast by one of the big broadcasters like Sky or FX (FX picked up Dexter and lo and behold, they've released 4, 5 and 6 on Blu-ray) 2. Lack of interest/knowledge about the series from UK critics and audiences. All of my friends know about Mad Men, Homeland, Game of Thrones but they have honestly never heard of Breaking Bad, apart from the one person like me who has to obtain shows by other methods when they aren't available legally. 3. Releasing them on DVD is probably a less risky move, the DVD market is much stronger than the Blu-ray, they probably want DVD sales to be higher before they roll out the HD guns. I'd love to own every series on Blu-ray too, but I can't see it happening for the time being. There's more chance of them going back and releasing House all on Blu-ray than this, seeing as how popular that show is, but I'm worried the Blu-ray market isn't strong enough for that either.

06-24-2012, 01:27 PM	#16
Paulc01 Active Member Member since:Feb 2009 Location:Newcastle UK Blu-ray collection:115 Trading Score:6	TV shows being released on Blu ray seems very random and odd over here. I can understand why this hasn't been released as it's not widely known in the UK. But I do find it very odd when releases such as ITV's Poirot, Marple, Midsomer Murders and Lewis, and the BBC's Inspector George Gently get released on Blu ray in the States but there's not a glimmer of them being released? These are all big TV shows in the UK, but no Blu ray (as far as I can see)

06-24-2012, 06:38 PM	#18
Bulletproof Tiger Active Member Member since:Jan 2011 Location:England Blu-ray collection:265 Blu-ray reviews: 9	These are the blu rays i want most of all. But i don't have the money to buy a region free player at the moment.

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