Recent TV episodes or specials that aired once and never to be seen again - Blu-ray Forum

JMS1223 · 08-04-2019, 08:27 PM

I know many episodes, specials and/or series are completely lost from decades ago (1970s and earlier) due to them not being saved routinely, but in this day and age, say the last ten years, has there been any notable episode of a show, a complete series or a special that only aired once, and can not be found again (never re-aired and no one saved it or made it available, so no one has access to it except the networks)?

I ask because this happened recently with a Lion King ABC special. It aired once, and now it can’t be found anywhere (not on demand, not online and hasn’t re-aired). Have there been other shows/episodes like this that you remember from recent years?

Why do you think this happens these days, if and when it happens? Is this rare or common?

akaun6899 · 08-04-2019, 08:31 PM

I think in the case of the Lion King special you mentioned, it was made entirely to promote the new film, so Disney and ABC probably did not see a point to re-air it, as it won't hold much relevance, unless they decide to include as a bonus feature on the Blu-ray release.

Chiefy · 08-04-2019, 08:37 PM

Not as recent as you asked, but "Do Over" (2002) had 15 episodes, of only 11 that aired here in the US. To this day, its still the show that comes to mind for me that wasn't given a fair shake. It was so funny. I do not believe it can be found anywhere. I got the episodes, including the 4 unaired off the internet years ago and made my own DVD.

JMS1223 · 08-04-2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

including the 4 unaired

How is that possible? Did the network somehow release them somewhere? I always wondered what happened to unaired episodes. I know sometimes they release them on DVD and such but I mean the times they don’t and you know they exist.

Chiefy · 08-04-2019, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMS1223

How is that possible? Did the network somehow release them somewhere? I always wondered what happened to unaired episodes. I know sometimes they release them on DVD and such but I mean the times they don’t and you know they exist.

I'm pretty certain they aired in Canada and for sure in the UK (per wikipedia) in 2008.

JMS1223 · 08-04-2019, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

I'm pretty certain they aired in Canada and for sure in the UK (per wikipedia) in 2008.

Oh that makes sense. Looking up the show, I think I sort of remember it being advertised. Not sure if I ever watched any of it, but I recall seeing ads for it and it’s premise.

TheWildWhelk · 08-06-2019, 10:01 AM

The Amazon Prime movie 'Edge' based on the books by George Gilman. I completely missed it when it surfaced in 2015, and it's not been made available. Darn shame as i heard it wasn't half bad.

drush9999 · 08-06-2019, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWildWhelk

The Amazon Prime movie 'Edge' based on the books by George Gilman. I completely missed it when it surfaced in 2015, and it's not been made available. Darn shame as i heard it wasn't half bad.

I looked that up and found:

Quote:

Neil Genzlinger of the New York Times called it "an ultraviolent western that starts out with promise but degenerates into gore for gore's sake."

Now want to watch it based off that

wallendo · 08-06-2019, 02:47 PM

The Star Wars Holiday Special comes to mind.

There are other TV shows, like PBS' "Eyes on the Prize" that were unavailable for many years due to musical rights issues.

Many miniseries and specials would only buy limited licenses to music in order to reduce costs.

JMS1223 · 08-06-2019, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallendo

The Star Wars Holiday Special comes to mind.

I’ve actually seen that like ten years ago thanks to a friend who had it. It’s awful but it was interesting to visit. Now it’s kind of notorious. I knew it wasn’t available for a long time but I didn’t realize it was actually hard to find today. Thinking back it kind of makes sense my friend would have it because he was a huge Star Wars fan that had like everything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallendo

Many miniseries and specials would only buy limited licenses to music in order to reduce costs.

Ahh thanks for that information. I was wondering why some things disappeared. Too bad that licenses have to cost so much otherwise we could keep the specials/shows available for future generations. I have seen some great documentaries in the past that are nowhere to be found now and it’s sad no one can enjoy them anymore.

GrouchoFan · 08-09-2019, 03:11 AM

How about those mid-season or end-of-season 1-hour recaps that Lost and Once Upon a Time used to do? Did any of those ever show up on the DVD/Blu releases? I have a few of those burned onto DVD-Rs.

08-04-2019, 08:27 PM	#1
JMS1223 Special Member Member since:Sep 2015 Location:USA Trading Score:16	Recent TV episodes or specials that aired once and never to be seen again I know many episodes, specials and/or series are completely lost from decades ago (1970s and earlier) due to them not being saved routinely, but in this day and age, say the last ten years, has there been any notable episode of a show, a complete series or a special that only aired once, and can not be found again (never re-aired and no one saved it or made it available, so no one has access to it except the networks)? I ask because this happened recently with a Lion King ABC special. It aired once, and now it can’t be found anywhere (not on demand, not online and hasn’t re-aired). Have there been other shows/episodes like this that you remember from recent years? Why do you think this happens these days, if and when it happens? Is this rare or common?

08-04-2019, 08:31 PM	#2
akaun6899 Special Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2015 4K collection:194 Blu-ray collection:979 DVD collection:411	I think in the case of the Lion King special you mentioned, it was made entirely to promote the new film, so Disney and ABC probably did not see a point to re-air it, as it won't hold much relevance, unless they decide to include as a bonus feature on the Blu-ray release.

08-04-2019, 08:37 PM	#3
Chiefy Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2013 Location:Twin Cities, MN 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- MA collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Prime collection:- Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:421	Not as recent as you asked, but "Do Over" (2002) had 15 episodes, of only 11 that aired here in the US. To this day, its still the show that comes to mind for me that wasn't given a fair shake. It was so funny. I do not believe it can be found anywhere. I got the episodes, including the 4 unaired off the internet years ago and made my own DVD.

08-06-2019, 10:01 AM	#7
TheWildWhelk Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Elsinore Blu-ray collection:63 Blu-ray reviews:4	The Amazon Prime movie 'Edge' based on the books by George Gilman. I completely missed it when it surfaced in 2015, and it's not been made available. Darn shame as i heard it wasn't half bad.

08-06-2019, 02:47 PM	#9
wallendo Power Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Southeastern NC 4K collection:100 Blu-ray collection:1027 DVD collection:7 MA collection:3 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:4	The Star Wars Holiday Special comes to mind. There are other TV shows, like PBS' "Eyes on the Prize" that were unavailable for many years due to musical rights issues. Many miniseries and specials would only buy limited licenses to music in order to reduce costs.

08-09-2019, 03:11 AM	#11
GrouchoFan Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2011 Location:Quincy, MA 4K collection:289 Blu-ray collection:1812 DVD collection:615 MA collection:194 Digital collection:4	How about those mid-season or end-of-season 1-hour recaps that Lost and Once Upon a Time used to do? Did any of those ever show up on the DVD/Blu releases? I have a few of those burned onto DVD-Rs.

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