The Official Network Thread

[Guernica78]

Originally Posted by MasterCollector07

The BFI stated last year that The Play for Today releases didn't sell well enough on physical media. This partly indicates a lack of interest in other, less familiar archival material that newer collectors just ignore.

Not sure that’s the reason, they are right up my street but they seem quite expensive for what they are and there’s not many episodes in each set

[Guernica78]

I’m a bit confused as to the status of the Sweeney Blu-ray set as I’ve heard conflicting reports. Someone said they were all remastered years ago just not released.ive also heard from several people they were currently recasting them all and only had a couple left to do before they went bust.

What I do know is Network we’re going to be releasing a Blu-ray box set - and soon as well before they got wound up. Suppose it’s a question of how much restoration has been done - presumably it will be a desirable series for another lable to put out. Would ITV have the remasters? Are any of the repeats shown as remastered?

[albabe]

Originally Posted by Modman

Network no longer exist (they went out of business last year), there is literally no one to replace the disc. Your best bet is finding a cheap copy of the series from eBay or an online retailer.

Aw crap... maybe someone with the set can burn me the last disc?

[Nedoflanders]

Originally Posted by Guernica78

Not sure that’s the reason, they are right up my street but they seem quite expensive for what they are and there’s not many episodes in each set

You have to consider the various hidden costs that come with scanning and releasing archival material from the BBC - especially for works without prior home video releases or frequent TV repeats - and for a strand like Play for Today, where no two plays shared the same actors or exact crew. I believe the restoration costs and clearances swallowed most of the BFI's budget for the sets, hence why they lack any on-disc extras. Sadly, they just didn't sell.

Anyway, £35-40 for 6-7 feature-length TV plays seems pretty reasonable when Simply Media were charging £10 per play on DVD.

[MasterCollector07]

Originally Posted by Guernica78

Not sure that’s the reason, they are right up my street but they seem quite expensive for what they are and there’s not many episodes in each set

It certainly was. When I went to my local HMV, the assistant informed me that the box sets weren't selling that well. They had them reduced quite often. The BFI selected ep's for the box sets, but I would imagine rights clearances for other ep's can be problematical.

[MasterCollector07]

Originally Posted by Guernica78

I’m a bit confused as to the status of the Sweeney Blu-ray set as I’ve heard conflicting reports. Someone said they were all remastered years ago just not released.ive also heard from several people they were currently recasting them all and only had a couple left to do before they went bust.

What I do know is Network we’re going to be releasing a Blu-ray box set - and soon as well before they got wound up. Suppose it’s a question of how much restoration has been done - presumably it will be a desirable series for another lable to put out. Would ITV have the remasters? Are any of the repeats shown as remastered?

Network had The Baron up on the site, and obviously, The Baron was going to be the next big push for a full restoration. Network did most of the restorations themselves, in-house. As far as I know, no company other than Network paid for the work to be done. So, Network owned the new restorations on shows like The Professionals etc... But due to the liquidation aspect, no one really knows who owns them now.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by MasterCollector07

Network had The Baron up on the site, and obviously, The Baron was going to be the next big push for a full restoration. Network did most of the restorations themselves, in-house. As far as I know, no company other than Network paid for the work to be done. So, Network owned the new restorations on shows like The Professionals etc... But due to the liquidation aspect, no one really knows who owns them now.

Someone knows! Of course you can own the rights to a particular restoration but not to the title itself, its what keeps lawyers etc in business.

[MasterCollector07]

Originally Posted by Modman

Someone knows! Of course you can own the rights to a particular restoration but not to the title itself, its what keeps lawyers etc in business.

Would be nice to know. I suspect these restorations will be locked up, possibly for the foreseeable future.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by MasterCollector07

Would be nice to know. I suspect these restorations will be locked up, possibly for the foreseeable future.

Some aren't as ViaVision have got access to The Prisoner since Network's demise.

They are assets of the company in liquidation but as said they can't be exploited unless the person using them has also got a licence for the programme / film from whoever owns it. With Network would usually be one of ITV, Freemantle or Studio Canal.

[McCrutchy]

The World at War is also getting a re-release from a label called Old Gold Media, (who appear to be part of Spirit Entertainment) even though the Network-branded version is still available:



so perhaps there's hope yet for other Network titles to be resurrected.

[Number 28]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

The World at War is also getting a re-release from a label called Old Gold Media, (who appear to be part of Spirit Entertainment) even though the Network-branded version is still available:



so perhaps there's hope yet for other Network titles to be resurrected.

I will be ordering The Kenny Everett Video Show when it comes out in May from Old Gold.

[side__on]

I would have thought Freemantle own The Sweeney HD masters.

[Mike0284]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

The World at War is also getting a re-release from a label called Old Gold Media, (who appear to be part of Spirit Entertainment) even though the Network-branded version is still available:



so perhaps there's hope yet for other Network titles to be resurrected.

Also on DVD and some TV DVD sets.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Old+Gol...ref=nb_sb_noss

[djhig]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

The World at War is also getting a re-release from a label called Old Gold Media, (who appear to be part of Spirit Entertainment) even though the Network-branded version is still available:



so perhaps there's hope yet for other Network titles to be resurrected.

It looks like the person who has founded Old Gold Media previously worked at Fremantle for the last 25 years.

[fatboyslim142]

From Film is Fabulous on Facebook:

Tim Beddows’ Film Collection

The Film is Fabulous! team have been working closely with the estate of the late Tim Beddows, the founder, and former Managing Director of Network Distributing.

Tim’s private film collection is a veritable treasure trove, reflecting his passion for film and vintage television. The estate has generously permitted the first case study of the new pilot scheme, initiated by Film is Fabulous! and De Montfort University, to be based on a selection of Tim’s films.

For more information, please visit:
https://filmisfabulous.org.uk/tim-be...IMWwDVK_8msSCR

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by djhig

It looks like the person who has founded Old Gold Media previously worked at Fremantle for the last 25 years.

I'm chuffed to see this - a new label who will pick up the hole left behind by Network, at least for Fremantle stuff.

[Martyghost]

Old Gold Media is an interesting development but I'd rather see new titles than re-treads of previous releases, a step in the right direction though.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by Martyghost

Old Gold Media is an interesting development but I'd rather see new titles than re-treads of previous releases, a step in the right direction though.

It's because it is cheaper to reissue previous Network titles as the DVD or BD mastering and the disc authoring already exists as presume these have been bought from the liquidator. Would then only need the titles to be licenced for Home Video in this case from Freemantle.

New titles are more expensive as would require creating the DVD or BD masters, getting BBFC approval, authoring the discs etc.

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Martyghost

Old Gold Media is an interesting development but I'd rather see new titles than re-treads of previous releases, a step in the right direction though.

Hopefully this is but the start. Given the covers are identical save some branding differences, it looks like they may made a deal with the liquidators, hence it making sense to reissue some of these first. Same as Anderson Entertainment have done, reissuing some Network releases of their shows that they have the rights to in the same covers with branding changed.

[Number 28]

Originally Posted by Martyghost

Old Gold Media is an interesting development but I'd rather see new titles than re-treads of previous releases, a step in the right direction though.

I agree on all your points.

A question I have are these titles going to generate sales or just going to be dead stock?

Maybe there will be some brand new releases or/and more sought after ex-Network titles to come?