WB considering HD update

Elric · November 10th 14, 19:12

Can't see this posted elsewhere in the forum - its unlike me to be the first to post such news but I guess there's a first time for everything!

http://thewertzone.blogspot.co.uk/20...hd-update.html

I'll believe it when I see it ofc, but the news is encouraging.

Springer · November 10th 14, 19:23

It has been mentioned, not sure which thread it was in. Unfortunately JMS himself shot this one down. Hopefully one day Warners see sense and do fund a Blu-Ray version with remastered effects. The DVDs are terrible quality!

Jan · November 10th 14, 19:43

Yeah, this was a year ago and JMS still says that WB will never pay for it. They certainly don't seem to be interested in growing the fan base by making the show available in reruns...

Jan

cheer · November 10th 14, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jan

They certainly don't seem to be interested in growing the fan base by making the show available in reruns...

Jan

Do we know what the story is, here? Are they just asking for too much money? Given that there are DVD releases, I am assuming there are no rights issues.

It'd be awesome to get this stuff up on Hulu or Netflix or something.

Elric · November 11th 14, 12:43

Ah, just noticed it was a 2013 article lol. A friend sent me the link so assumed it was new. I guess redoing all the effects is to cost prohibitive, especially considering how many there are in most episodes.

Jan · November 11th 14, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheer

Do we know what the story is, here? Are they just asking for too much money? Given that there are DVD releases, I am assuming there are no rights issues.

It'd be awesome to get this stuff up on Hulu or Netflix or something.

That's what the whole #FreeBabylon5 campaign is all about.

Definitely no rights issue since WB owns the show from decks to airlocks (except feature film rights, of course, which belong to JMS). As far as anybody can tell, they're not offering it because they have it available in a few places at $2/episode. We're trying to persuade them to offer it and TV stations to ask for it.

Jan

KoshN · November 11th 14, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elric

Ah, just noticed it was a 2013 article lol. A friend sent me the link so assumed it was new. I guess redoing all the effects is to cost prohibitive, especially considering how many there are in most episodes.

When it comes to Babylon 5, Crusade and most other Warner Brothers TV shows that I like (e.g. Brimstone), Warner Brothers is EXTREMELY tight. Warner Brothers is utterly HOPELESS. If they DID come out with Babylon 5 and/or Crusade on Blu-ray, it'd almost certainly be a half-assed release done on the CHEAP, and not worth our money.

Hell, we can't even get the Babylon 5 novels and novelizations and the six short stories on Kindle. Evidently, people figure too much time has passed and/or there's not enough demand, and/or maybe Warner Brothers or others want too much money for the rights to put them on Kindle.

dregj · November 28th 14, 04:33

they still got all those lost tales cgi models havent they?
they should stump up for one spec dvd to see how it goes

Lyta's Shadow · August 28th 20, 22:36

Just read this on the Blu Ray forum, not listened to the podcast myself yet but will definitely go and hunt it down!

Quote:

Ok guys. Something might be happening. If you listen to the most recent Warner Archive podcast, at about the 30 minute mark they start to answer email questions. One of the questions concerns B5 ever possibly coming to blu. The moderator, who is also the head of Warner Archive says that they aren't working on it. But someone else is and those someones are asking all the right questions in terms of aspect ratio and visual effects. My assumption here is that it's probably the main arm of Warner media. Since Archive does not have a sizable enough budget to take on a large scale project like this. It's also possible that it could be for the streaming service HBO Max. Either way, there appears to be some movement on upgrading B5.

Looney · August 29th 20, 04:15

Oooooooooooooooooo thanks for the update Lyta's Shadow. I have to be honest that your ID is giving me pause on whether or not I should trust you. .....

Well I certainly hope it is for a physical release because I'd really hate to have to pick up another streaming service. How many years do you think it will take for them to realize the formula of everyone having their own streaming service isn't going to work? I just saw that Star Trek Discovery is headed to Prime Time CBS and will no longer be a streaming exclusive, but I'm sure they'll find a way for viewers to have to watch both - I've yet to give into their temptation. I also heard they are re-branding away from CBS All Access to Paramount Something Or Other - not the actual name of their new brand, but it may as well be.

Anywho kudos to Lyta's Shadow for bringing some light into my night.