Mac Breck wrote:
 > "Andrew Swallow"  wrote in message
 > news:rd6dnVVQeNaFXYranZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d{at}bt.com...
 >> Mac Breck wrote:
 >> [snip]
 >>
 >>> If they were trying to make back 100% of the budget with this first
 > DVD,
 >>> it means that they had NO confidence at all in there ever being a
 > second
 >>> DVD.  That's entirely short term thinking.  To think like that is to
 >>> ignore all of the history of B5 universe sales (VHS, Laserdiscs,
 > DVDs,
 >>> etc.).  The very idea is ludicrous.  By now, I'd think they'd have
 >>> learned something about the B5 fanbase.
 >>>
 >> 100% of the money back on the prototype is reasonable.
 >
 > It is NOT reasonable regarding a known item like a B5 DVD.  They have
 > *some* history here, and SHOULD have had a helluva lot more faith.  It's
 > not like this is a 100% new show (previously unknown universe, new cast
 > and characters, etc.) that they're putting out only on DVD.
 >

They were taking a major gamble on audiance size.  I would have
set the budget at the same as two episodes.  That is less than
a pilot but more than a normal episode.

 >
 >> A good business plan soon makes a profit.
 >
 > And what is the result if you piss off the fans by going cheap on them
 > after having 10+ years of experience with those fans?  What is the
 > result if you put a $24.95 MSRP (available for $15.99 pre-order) on a
 > single, experimental disc, the first new stuff in *5-1/2 years*, for 72
 > minutes of shoestring budget material that for the most part cannot hold
 > a candle to what's gone before?
 >
 >

The first DVD had to be a radio play (cheap).

 >
 >
 >> What is not reasonable is
 >> betting your job on the high risk of not advertising the DVD.
 >
 > If the budget is extremely low, are they really betting their job?
 > Hmmm, I guess they might be doing exactly that if they end up killing
 > off the B5 universe with their lack of faith.
 >

They are betting not only Babylon 5 but the entire Direct to DVD
Division.  If they were not attached to that division they would
not be taking the spending decision.  If that Warner Brothers
Division is closed bye bye to the people who worked for it.  Even
if it was only a part time job they cannot be promoted into a full
time job with the new Division.

 >
 >
 >> No hype no sales.
 >
 > Sounds like they were betting on selling only to the few of the core
 > fanbase who are still interested, and that they underestimated the size
 > of that group.

Then make sure that everyone in that group knows about it.

The DVD is still on sale so it is not too late for some hype.
The financial news on the tv may like a story with some pretty
actresses in it.  Most of their stories show middle aged men
in suits.  Disguising the hype as a progress report on the
D2DVD department may work.

Unexpected places to advertise.  I read "New Scientist" and "The
Economist", does anyone else?  Also what do you read?

Andrew Swallow
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