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No Plans for STAR TREK Animated Series on DVD in Near Future?

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By BWilliams / 11:16, 8 February 2005 / General Star Trek

The latest word on the status of STAR TREK: The Animated Series is that it is very likely not to see its release on DVD in the near future from Paramount Home Entertainment, according to Pocket Books writer Kevin Dilmore. Further reports of a March 15 DVD release date have also been pegged down as rumor, based on sources close to Dilmore.

In a post on the PsiPhi BBS dated February 6, Dilmore wrote, "I had an e-mail exchange a couple of weeks ago with a pair of people who I consider to be the authorities on this subject. Here's what I was told.

"I checked in with Martin Blythe of Paramount Home Entertainment (who is no longer with PHE as of a few days ago), who said that Paramount had no plans for TAS on DVD. Period. he went on specifically to say that a release date of March 15 that had been circulating through various Internet news reports was strictly rumor.

"David Lambert, a contributor and reviewer for the wonderful web site TV Shows on DVD, was quick to remind me that the talk regarding a TAS release on DVD cited Columbia House, not PHE, as the company responsible for the release. That noted, he said that he had not been able to confirm the release at all, let alone one on March 15, from anyone at Columbia House.

"So, there you have it. Trust me, I'm trying to keep an eagle-eye on this because I very much want to write this event up for the (STAR TREK) Communicator. However, I can't be everywhere. I recommend that anyone interested keep checking in with TV Shows on DVD for the latest scoop (not just on this but on ANY TV-related DVD releases). That's where I look."

You can read Dilmore's original post here.

Dayton Ward, who has co-authored a number of TREK novels along with Kevin Dilmore, has also reported that the animated TREK series may not be released on DVD.

"Anything you've heard about Paramount and TAS DVDs is unsubstantiated rumor," Ward said on the PsiPhi BBS. "Paramount Home Video never released any info that they were planning a DVD release of the series, and Kevin Dilmore confirmed with one of their reps that the March 15th release date was a rumor put out by somebody else. They have no immediate plans to release TAS, as their TREK priorities at the moment are on finishing out the 'collector's editions' of the movies and ENTERPRISE season sets."

You can read Ward's original post here.

Please bear in mind that official word from Paramount has yet to be released regarding the status of TAS on DVD.



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TAS Novels | Report this post to moderator
By: Capricorn Two (Odo's file, contact) @ 15:41:39 on Feb 09, 2005

Did Pocket Books or someone else ever novelize TAS episodes, like Blish's novels of TOS; or, were there ST novels that included TAS-reference characters or events?

Curious.


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RE: TAS Novels by Dayton Ward @ 16:10:43 on Feb 09
    RE: TAS Novels by Capricorn Two @ 15:18:59 on Feb 10
       RE: TAS Novels by Dayton Ward @ 05:53:16 on Feb 11
    RE: TAS Novels by BWilliams @ 06:16:50 on Feb 10

Just to clarify ... | Report this post to moderator
By: Kevin Dilmore (Odo's file, contact) @ 09:16:33 on Feb 09, 2005

If I might chime in here with a couple of things ...

While Bill chose to refer to me in his news item as "Pocket Books writer Kevin Dilmore," I certainly was not posting my musings on a TAS DVD release in that capacity, nor with any regard to the work I have done for Pocket Books. I get why he did it; he was trying to connect my name to something that might make me familiar to his readers. In reporting, we make those choices all the time. Do we say "Children's book author Madonna" or "Film score composer John Carpenter"? Nope. Inarguably, however, it's part of what they do.

To further clarify, I also wasn't posting on the subject of TAS DVDs in any OFFICIAL capacity at all. Don't construe my message-board postings on this as "official" in any way, shape or form.

So why did I enter a conversation about TAS DVDs on a message board? Since well before I wrote any published fiction, I have been a contributing writer to Star Trek Communicator magazine. As the Communicator is sanctioned by Paramount, I have enjoyed the opportunity to interview and maintain contact with Paramount sources for years. One of the stories on which I've been working recently is following the news/rumor mill surrounding the release of TAS on DVD, something that a number of ST fans have desired for some time. I had done some leg work that so far has yielded some information but nothing that constitutes a story for the Communicator as of yet. While there's nothing print-worthy on the topic yet, I decided to share what I know with the readers of the message board. I did so because 1) I want people to know that the Comunicator (through me and other contributing writers) is aware of the interest in this subject and is "on the job," and 2) I'm a big fan of TAS and I don't mind sharing what I understand to be the situation. Like any situation, it is subject to change.

That's the "deep background" and perspective of my original posting. I regret that readers of Bill's news item did not have the perspective of that background in which to establish the context of my post to the message board.

Kevin


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Paramount doesnt want the money??? | Report this post to moderator
By: cooper2000 (Odo's file, contact) @ 12:09:07 on Feb 08, 2005

I'm shocked with their high price tag of all the other Trek shows and they are passing up charging another 100.00 per boxset for the cartoon?
I am shocked!!


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Paramount tacitly acknowledges value of Animated series. | Report this post to moderator
By: Cylykon (Odo's file, contact) @ 11:11:46 on Feb 08, 2005

In the strongest message from Paramount Home Video yet, pirates are given a wink and a nod to begin distributing DVDs of LD rips of the Animated Series via bittorrent.

"The Animated Series really has no value to Paramount or the Star Trek franchise," sources close to PHV seem to be saying.

In other news, Master Replicas will soon release their TOS tricorder prop to myriad fans willing to pay $400 for it. "We understand what Star Trek fans want and are more than willing to give it to them," they seem to be saying.


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Too Bad - No TAS on DVD ? | Report this post to moderator
By: GustavoLeao (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 10:51:18 on Feb 08, 2005

I am a big fan of The Animated Series. Episodes like D.C. Fontana's Yesteryear, The Time Trap and The Counterclock Incident (the Captain April episode) are among my favorites Trek episodes, ever.

Image

Gustavo


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Well they have 3 years to fill... | Report this post to moderator
By: Gitch (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:51:02 on Feb 08, 2005

I wonder if the release of the TAS series may be staggered as part of a strategy to keep Trek in the public conciousness during the "hiatus"? It would make sense, if Paramount decided to release a new series or film in 2008 or 2009, to keep Trek ticking over. Slow down the release of the special editions of the remaining movies. Perhaps a video game or two and finally the release of the TAS boxsets. Perhaps even a little psychology. Give the bring back Trek campaigners a few small victories to keep them loyal and thus build up support and hunger for a relaunch of the franchise.

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Well, they don't... by Cylykon @ 12:56:03 on Feb 08
    RE: Well, they don't... by dx31701 @ 15:06:46 on Feb 08
       RE: Well, they don't... by Gitch @ 19:27:41 on Feb 08
          RE: Well, they don't... by dx31701 @ 17:00:32 on Feb 09
             RE: Well, they don't... by Gitch @ 23:23:18 on Feb 10
       RE: Well, they don't... by JediFonger @ 19:23:46 on Feb 08
RE: Well they have 3 years to fill... by Jadzia-Dax @ 12:17:20 on Feb 08

worst Trek news of the past few weeks... | Report this post to moderator
By: dx31701 (Odo's file, contact) @ 08:56:43 on Feb 08, 2005

I would definitely rather have TAS on DVD than a fifth season of ENT, or any ENT DVDs.

Surely it will happen eventually ... ?

Paramount's refusal to give us a legitimate retail release of TAS makes those DVD bootlegs of the old TAS LDs kind of tempting.


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???? | Report this post to moderator
By: Jadzia-Dax (Odo's file, contact) @ 08:50:26 on Feb 08, 2005

From above:

Quote:

"Anything you've heard about Paramount and TAS DVDs is unsubstantiated rumor," Ward said on the PsiPhi BBS. "Paramount Home Video never released any info that they were planning a DVD release of the series, and Kevin Dilmore confirmed with one of their reps that the March 15th release date was a rumor put out by somebody else. They have no immediate plans to release TAS, as their Trek priorities at the moment are on finishing out the 'collector's editions' of the movies and ENTERPRISE season sets."


It makes me wonder how anyone can actually know in any detail (let alone a book author), what the video side of the Viacom house is doing. Image I mean, the properties of Viacom are like a massive massive bureaucracy.

It's interesting but much of the talk about an upcoming release came from
Tvshowsondvd.com, which inturn got it from David Gerrold's website.

Of course Gerrold wrote TAS "More Tribbles, More Troubles" as a sequel to TOS "The Trouble With Tribbles" and it would make sense that assuming that commentary would be on such a release, his might be included, with him having been long involved in the TOS/TAS side of the franchise. Why would one doubt what might have occurred between Gerrold and other parties regarding this?

There is a post on that same site that clarifies some of the confusion (the poster also a regular on TrekBBS), as it was apparent that the distributers of the TAS tapes (Columbia House's tape of the month deal), may have actually been the ones looking into licensing to do the DVDs rather than Paramount.

SADLY, there are just alot of bad and bitter feelings among all of the folks who have worked in this franchise and it seems it just gets uglier and uglier and uglier and the yes it is, not it isn't continues.

--------

"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998

----

"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701


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RE: ???? by Dayton Ward @ 08:35:31 on Feb 09
    RE: ???? by Jadzia-Dax @ 19:27:08 on Feb 09
RE: ???? by Dayton Ward @ 08:35:11 on Feb 09

Ugh | Report this post to moderator
By: StillKirok (Odo's file, contact) @ 08:24:26 on Feb 08, 2005

So basically, force over priced garbage that has been rejected to the point of cancellation, yet don't release the one part of Star Trek that might actually sell.


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RE: Ugh by RussTC3 @ 12:54:49 on Feb 08
RE: Ugh by Mr. Xindi @ 08:45:24 on Feb 08
    RE: Ugh by Jadzia-Dax @ 09:10:50 on Feb 08
       RE: Ugh by BWilliams @ 09:20:06 on Feb 08
          The Infinite Vulcan.... by rabelais @ 14:24:56 on Feb 08
             RE: The Infinite Vulcan.... by Jadzia-Dax @ 16:01:17 on Feb 08
                RE: The Infinite Vulcan.... by rabelais @ 16:27:31 on Feb 08
                   RE: The Infinite Vulcan.... by Jadzia-Dax @ 20:39:34 on Feb 08
                      RE: The Infinite Vulcan.... by Sam Cogley @ 21:51:50 on Feb 08
                         RE: The Infinite Vulcan.... by Jadzia-Dax @ 03:28:59 on Feb 09
          RE: Ugh by Jadzia-Dax @ 09:52:14 on Feb 08
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