TV Land on DVD

a presentation by Katherine Courtney
OLC NE Chapter Conference
March 28, 2007

I.Why television series on DVD?
The passion for viewing an entire season of a particular television series has brought the art of the couch potato to a whole new level. To quote from Stephanie Rosenbloom in her article for the New York Times “Lost Weekend: A Season in One Sitting (2005),”

Thousands of television series, from the era of “I Love Lucy” to that of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” are newly available on DVD. They have already made an impact on people's precious leisure time and given new meaning to the concept of the lost weekend. Viewers cram a 13-episode television series into one gluteus-numbing session in front of the set, forgoing sit-down dinners, party invitations and all manner of social obligations as they revisit a favorite series like “Lost” or “Six Feet Under,” or catch up on what all the fuss is about.”

II.Getting started
Once you've made the decision to begin buying television series on DVD, what are some of issues that should be considered? The logistics of starting and maintaining and collection of television series in DVD can be a little overwhelming and require some planning.

1.Packaging and shelf space
Most television series on DVD are multi-disc sets in large packages. Many shows have multiple seasons, and once you have made the commitment to a particular season, plan to follow through until the end. This will require a large amount of shelf space. Also, be prepared that once you start acquiring series, patrons will begin requesting their favorites.

1.Some sets can be repackaged into smaller, multi-disc cases to cut down on shelf space.

2.Security
Television series on DVD are expensive and are a theft target, especially when they can be resold on eBay. Some sort of security measures, either locking cases or alarm systems will be required to keep from losing your collection.

3.Keeping track
Once you begin to buy series, you will need to keep a reference list of which shows you have purchased and which seasons of those shows.

4.Handling requests
Be prepared to be bombarded with requests for favorite series. Determine in advance what you are willing to buy and to how many seasons you are willing to commit. Sometimes, interlibrary loan is a better answer.

5.Borrowing limits
Complete seasons often contain over 25 hours of programs. Consider if your current loan periods are long enough to accommodate patron needs. Also consider if you need to limit the number of titles a patron may check out due to collection size or value of the item.

6.Be prepared for theft and loss due to titles not returned.

7.Selection
What to buy? Where to start?
1.Decide on a core collection of 20-25 titles that will satisfy your patrons and will be easy to maintain storage space and security-wise.

1.Plan your budget accordingly, including allowing for growth of the collection as successive seasons are released.

2.Have a plan in place to handle patron requests. Consider a survey or a suggestion box.

3.Know how you will deal with packaging and security and be prepared for theft and loss due to titles not returned.

4.Check the ratings. Some series available on channels such as Showtime and HBO contain mature language and themes.

2.Buying tools and sources for review

1.TV Shows on DVD
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/

“This site allows you to vote for shows you'd buy on DVD, and how you'd want to buy them. We also list thousands of TV DVDs that have already been released. Browse our list of old, new, classic and cancelled shows. And if you're interested in seeing what's coming out, look at our release schedule which breaks down releases by month.”

2.Amazon.com Bestselling TV Series on DVD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/dvd/173580/ref=pd_ts_c_th_head/002-...

Lists the top 100 bestselling television series on DVD. Remember: these are sales, not rental. People will willingly borrow titles that they will not pay to own.

3.Entertainment Weekly Online DVD Reviews
http://www.ew.com/ew/dvd/reviews/0,,,00.html

Mostly theatrical films but does include some television series reviews. The reviews are written by well-known film critics such as Ken Tucker from NPR and include a letter grade for the show.

4.Common Sense Media TV Reviews
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/

Reviews television shows and rates them on their suitability for family viewing. The site is not specifically for shows on DVD but can be a useful tool for understanding the content of a particular series.

3.Subscriptions
Venders such as Midwest Tapes offer customized standing order plans which include “The Best of TV.” These can be tailored to fit library budgets and provide the newest releases of particular series.

4.When budgeting, consider limited series. These shows often won critical acclaim but only ran for a season or two.

5.What to buy
Patrons have as many reasons for wanting to watch particular series as they do for wanting to read particular books. Most fall into the following categories of viewers:

1.“I LOVE this show!”
Fans of a show who can't wait for the newest season to be released. (Remember “fan” comes from “fanatic!”)

1. Monk
2. 24
3. Battlestar Galactica
4. Star Trek

2.“I remember that!”
There is an unlimited supply of older series available on DVD from old comedies to westerns to family dramas to science fiction

1. I Love Lucy
2. Here Comes the Brides
3. McGuyver
4. Moonlighting

3.“I read about this in the Times”
Shows that have won awards and critical praise. Often these shows air on premium channels such as HBO and Showtime.

1. Sopranos
2. Oz
3. Sex and the City
4. Six Feet Under

4.“I just want something funny”
Walk-ins looking for something funny to watch on a Saturday night will often turn to the television section.

1. Friends
2. Seinfeld
3. The Office
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm

5.“This show is awesome!”
The teen audience has very definite ideas about what they want to watch. They are often the most devoted fans of a particular show.

1. One Tree Hill
2. Gilmore Girls
3. Charmed
4. The OC

6.“I want something the whole family will enjoy”
No sex, no violence, no bad language and a positive message.

1. 7th Heaven
2. Little House on the Prairie
3. Touched by an Angel
4. The Waltons

7.“You're fired!”
Reality shows. People love to watch an entire season in one sitting.

1. Survivor
2. The Apprentice
3. Fear Factor
4. America's Next Top Model

8.“This show is just so bizarre!”
Cult favorites, often British and limited series.

1. Kingdom Hospital
2. Freaks and Geeks
3. Red Dwarf
4. Twin Peaks

There are literally thousands of shows from which to choose. Once you make the commitment to have television series available for the public to borrow, you are opening Pandora's box. The decision, however, can be one of the most rewarding, by increasing patron loyalty, not to mention your circulation, and the most frustrating, through theft and budget contraints, you will have to make. Good luck!

Kathie Courtney
Louisville Public Library
330-875-1696
courtnka@oplin.org
kathie@4th.com

The URL for Stephanie Rosenbloom's article on TV on DVD, “Lost Weekend: A Season in One Sitting” New York Times, October 27, 2005: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/27/fashion/thursdaystyles/27dvd.html?ex=1...