Why Are Some Shows Not Available for Streaming or Re-runs? - Blu-ray Forum

JamesG. · 09-12-2021, 08:55 AM

Not just for short-lived 1 or 2 season shows, but some shows that were on for years seem to never (or very rarely) be available for viewing on streaming or reruns.

A couple of examples are "Trapper John, M.D." which was on 1979-86.

Another one was The WB comedy "Unhappily Ever After" that aired 1995-99. This one doesn't even have a physical release.

Paramount+ has the new "Murphy Brown", but not the original 1988-98 series.

D00mM4r1n3 · 09-12-2021, 09:17 AM

There's a really good article on Decider about Murphy Brown that pretty well sums it up: https://decider.com/2018/02/28/heres...-murphy-brown/

LokiMok · 09-12-2021, 09:58 AM

I feel like I haven't seen Trapper John in decades, but Murphy Brown is currently on RewindTV after having recently been on METV almost every night (or maybe it was AntennaTV).

Zivouhr · 09-12-2021, 07:08 PM

Sometimes the rights and licenses tie things up, like with the animated 80s series Muppet Babies, which was way better than any new versions ever could be. In the original, they'd go on adventures in Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and a bunch of other popular movies. I'm sure that's why the show will never be available on disc or even on a TV channel.

But yeah, there are a ton of shows where if you didn't record them on their first broadcast way back when, they'll only be watchable maybe on youtube from someone's VHS recordings for a short time before they disappear eventually.

I've seen series and shows I thought I'd never see again on youtube by typing in the search, most of which are unavailable elsewhere.

"Unhappily Ever After" series is on youtube at the moment in reply to the first post.

So is "Trapper John, M.D."

The quality is awful, but it's still better than nothing for those hoping to relive some of their favorite lost series not found anywhere else.

09-12-2021, 08:55 AM	#1
JamesG. Power Member Member since:Jul 2012	Why Are Some Shows Not Available for Streaming or Re-runs? Not just for short-lived 1 or 2 season shows, but some shows that were on for years seem to never (or very rarely) be available for viewing on streaming or reruns. A couple of examples are "Trapper John, M.D." which was on 1979-86. Another one was The WB comedy "Unhappily Ever After" that aired 1995-99. This one doesn't even have a physical release. Paramount+ has the new "Murphy Brown", but not the original 1988-98 series.

09-12-2021, 09:17 AM	#2
D00mM4r1n3 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2012 4K collection:405 Blu-ray collection:2556 DVD collection:282 Trading Score:12	There's a really good article on Decider about Murphy Brown that pretty well sums it up: https://decider.com/2018/02/28/heres...-murphy-brown/

09-12-2021, 09:58 AM	#3
LokiMok Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Feb 2016 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- MA collection:- Digital collection:- iTunes collection:- Prime collection:- Trading Score:38	I feel like I haven't seen Trapper John in decades, but Murphy Brown is currently on RewindTV after having recently been on METV almost every night (or maybe it was AntennaTV).

09-12-2021, 07:08 PM	#4
Zivouhr Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Dec 2011 Location:USA 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:127	Sometimes the rights and licenses tie things up, like with the animated 80s series Muppet Babies, which was way better than any new versions ever could be. In the original, they'd go on adventures in Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and a bunch of other popular movies. I'm sure that's why the show will never be available on disc or even on a TV channel. But yeah, there are a ton of shows where if you didn't record them on their first broadcast way back when, they'll only be watchable maybe on youtube from someone's VHS recordings for a short time before they disappear eventually. I've seen series and shows I thought I'd never see again on youtube by typing in the search, most of which are unavailable elsewhere. "Unhappily Ever After" series is on youtube at the moment in reply to the first post. So is "Trapper John, M.D." The quality is awful, but it's still better than nothing for those hoping to relive some of their favorite lost series not found anywhere else.

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