The Official Network Thread

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Nedoflanders

A handful of the Dahl episodes were, less so later on. The negatives may exist, it was (for a while) a big overseas seller for Anglia.

As to why we're not seeing more TV work on Blu-ray from Network? Without knowing what their budgets are like, I think it's quite an expensive undertaking for them - I believe that ITV refuse to pay for new scans or restoration work. There's been plenty of series they've released on DVD in recent years that would benefit from a BD, yet the odd thing has slipped through like Wolcott and Tales Out of School, but I can't imagine they were profitable enough to continue in that direction. Gerry Anderson and ITC will always be an easier sell, so it is concerning to see them stall.

Thanks for the explanation. My opinion of ITV changes a lot. It's frustrating with which shows of theirs get Blu-ray releases (like with Midsomer Murders getting the Blu-ray treatment in the States and Germany but not the UK (DVD-only releases from Acorn, who used to release some series on Blu-ray, like The Fall and the first series of The Missing).

I can understand it being a big undertaking for Network, with Tales of the Unexpected. It's a series I've wanted to have on physical media (I did get Network's DVD releases of the first two series, but decided not to collect the rest of the series, because of the episodes not ending with the original Anglia Television logo), so if I did get the whole series it would have to be the definitive release.

Another Gerry Anderson series I would like to see get the Blu-ray treatment is Four Feather Falls (I've asked about The Secret Service in this thread a while ago).

What's the situation with Minder?

[Nedoflanders]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Thanks for the explanation. My opinion of ITV changes a lot. It's frustrating with which shows of theirs get Blu-ray releases (like with Midsomer Murders getting the Blu-ray treatment in the States and Germany but not the UK (DVD-only releases from Acorn, who used to release some series on Blu-ray, like The Fall and the first series of The Missing).

I can understand it being a big undertaking for Network, with Tales of the Unexpected. It's a series I've wanted to have on physical media (I did get Network's DVD releases of the first two series, but decided not to collect the rest of the series, because of the episodes not ending with the original Anglia Television logo), so if I did get the whole series it would have to be the definitive release.

Another Gerry Anderson series I would like to see get the Blu-ray treatment is Four Feather Falls (I've asked about The Secret Service in this thread a while ago).

What's the situation with Minder?

As much as I can't stand the way ITV manage their archive, I'm thankful for how open they were to Network at the height of DVD sales. Some of those releases were incredibly niche and I can't see them being replicated for any streaming service. Ditto Fremantle - I consider The Kenny Everett Video Show set to be one of Network's greatest achievements, even in its edited form.

The sources for the Tales of the Unexpected DVDs look like they were prepared in the nineties for satellite TV (most likely Granada Plus, who regularly snipped idents and end boards). It's all laziness on ITV's behalf, I’m sure they have the master tapes but opted to use their satellite copies simply because they were on hand for ITV3 repeats. To be honest, I would be surprised if Network have considered Tales of the Unexpected for an upgrade.

Minder was shot on film and would be ideal for Blu-ray. But (and I hope I’m wrong here) eleven series might be too much to ask for. Fremantle don’t exactly have a good track record with HD. So unless they've improved, Network would have to pick up the bill.

[kinogeek]

Originally Posted by AnnThrope

The Woman In Black release is definitely great news, but I don't think I'll be buying it. It absolutely terrified me when I was 19 - I don't think my poor old 50 year old heart could take it. But enjoy, those who dare.

Link to my FB page.

https://m.facebook.com/Soundhauntingbook

Features a few shots from the new Blu ray release. I'm not connected to the Blu ray release, which was just as much of a surprise to me as everyone else, but I've been working on a book covering this production for a couple of years now.

[DavidRoylance]

I'm very excited to hear that Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry, has announced in a podcast that Stingray will be arriving on blu-ray in the next 6 - 8 months, courtesy of Network! I was absolutely starving for new ITC news.

[AnnThrope]

Originally Posted by DavidRoylance

I'm very excited to hear that Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry, has announced in a podcast that Stingray will be arriving on blu-ray in the next 6 - 8 months, courtesy of Network! I was absolutely starving for new ITC news.

Well the New Avengers and the hour-long Danger Mans are supposedly getting the Network blu treatment too aren't they. But who knows when.

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by AnnThrope

Well the New Avengers and the hour-long Danger Mans are supposedly getting the Network blu treatment too aren't they. But who knows when.

Yes they are both coming. Lots of hints about New Avengers and people working on it so that may be further ahead. However, if the 6-8 months time for Stingray is correct then that may be Network's target for a BD boxset for the Christmas market, which could mean the others aren't until 2021.

I think one think all of this shows is they may not be doing the per volume releases of other recent ITC and Supermarionation BDs as web exclusives as surely we would have seen some initial releases by now. So it may be 'big bang' boxsets although something like New Avengers may be split in two as it can be see as two separate seasons although the DVD boxset was only one IIRC.

[oddbox83]

I wouldn't place any bets on a Christmas release. Network tend to go quiet on the new release front in December. That's the month to flog existing box sets on supermarket stands.

[CouncilSpectre]

Stingray and Danger Man.....oh boy

[rapta]

Originally Posted by DavidRoylance

I'm very excited to hear that Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry, has announced in a podcast that Stingray will be arriving on blu-ray in the next 6 - 8 months, courtesy of Network! I was absolutely starving for new ITC news.

My favourite, though I still need to get Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds at some point. Great news!

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by rapta

My favourite, though I still need to get Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds at some point. Great news!

Scarlet and Stingray have always been my favourites so I’m looking forward to finally having both in HD. I’ll get T-Birds at some point too. Is there a decent UK version? I seem to recall talk of it being cropped?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

Scarlet and Stingray have always been my favourites so I’m looking forward to finally having both in HD. I’ll get T-Birds at some point too. Is there a decent UK version? I seem to recall talk of it being cropped?

It's been converted to 16:9, we have two member reviews, one says it's pan and scan (although it would technically be a tilt and scan!) the other's says it's a straight crop.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by chip75

It's been converted to 16:9, we have to member reviews, one says it's pan and scan (although it would technically be a tilt and scan!) the others says it's a straight crop.

Thanks Chip. Happy to give that one a few years then I think....

Review for the US release says that the 16:9 is cropped, so, yeah...no.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

Thanks Chip. Happy to give that one a few years then I think....

Review for the US release says that the 16:9 is cropped, so, yeah...no.

Not sure why ITV did that. I'd happily get a decent Network release.

[DavidRoylance]

The UK Thunderbirds release is cropped. The Shout Factory was not, though I have no idea how available that is now. It's a shame Network haven't put this out there. It is always possible ITV didn't want to relinquish the brand to them.

[oddbox83]

Shout's release is pixelated, which would really annoy me on a 65" 4K TV.

[CouncilSpectre]

Guess I'm fortunate that I always ranked it below Scarlet and Stingray. I can wait.....

[oddbox83]

Well, I'm happy to be patient and keep the 16:9 UK Blu for now if I ever fancy watching the series, since I got it cheap.

I've bought it too many times now to splash more cash on imperfect releases (or take out a remortgage for the Japanese version).

[Aclea]

A listing turned up on HMV for the enjoyable Arsenal Stadium Mystery, a kind of prototype for Green for Danger with a camp as Christmas lead turn from Leslie Banks as the hat-obsessed (a different one for each suspect) detective who is more concerned with getting his chorus line of dancing policemen in tutus into shape for opening night of the Policemen's Ball than solving the crime, so there should be new release announcements for September imminent.

[mattyl149]

Originally Posted by Aclea

A listing turned up on HMV for the enjoyable Arsenal Stadium Mystery, a kind of prototype for Green for Danger with a camp as Christmas lead turn from Leslie Banks as the hat-obsessed (a different one for each suspect) detective who is more concerned with getting his chorus line of dancing policemen in tutus into shape for opening night of the Policemen's Ball than solving the crime, so there should be new release announcements for September imminent.

I know a lot of people don't necessarily see the need to update their DVDs to Blu-rays for these releases, but I have been, and this is another one to update

The Blu-ray cases are thicker than the DVD cases so they do take up more room

[gouryella]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by Aclea

A listing turned up on HMV for the enjoyable Arsenal Stadium Mystery, a kind of prototype for Green for Danger with a camp as Christmas lead turn from Leslie Banks as the hat-obsessed (a different one for each suspect) detective who is more concerned with getting his chorus line of dancing policemen in tutus into shape for opening night of the Policemen's Ball than solving the crime, so there should be new release announcements for September imminent.

I saw this was being released a week or two ago. I could have sworn it was on Network under coming soon but I can't see it now. It must have been put on by mistake and then taken off.

My memory says I really enjoyed this the last time I watched it, but that must have been 25 years ago at least. Look forward to watching it again.