Saturday, January 11, 2014

Q. I am writing to inquire as to how it would be possible to track down the complete series of NAKED JOSH in any visual media format, for purchase. The production company tells me that DVD release is, of course, driven by consumer demand. However in the absence of reruns, Netflix, or the like, it is difficult to see how the series might be brought to old and new viewers. It is one of the very best series produced in Canada of the past decade or so. Television for grown-up viewers. When one considers some of the schlock that's readily available via DVD, VOD, etc, it is unfortunate that a quality production remains in limbo. I'm only one viewer and consumer, but I for one would happily pay for the privilege of revisiting "Naked Josh." If you can offer any direction, I would be entirely grateful. I of course fully understand that much is out of your control even as creator.

Yes, marketing has always been one of the places that Canadian showbiz traditionally falls down. Maybe people would like the show if they knew about it, right? They certainly can't like the show if they don't know about it, can they? You could, for example, release the pilot on YouTube for free, and see what kind of views it go. Or you could release the whole thing on iTunes, which wouldn't cost very much. Or if Apple charges too much, maybe Amazon would be willing to put it up there. Certainly Netflix ought to be willing to do a deal. Or what if the network put all their archived content up on their own site, with ads? And then if something really got a lot of views, they could then have the proof of concept to license it to Netflix or sell it on DVD. One almost gets the impression that the Canadian networks would prefer if they didn't have to distribute any Canadian content at all. I don't know why you can't get NJ on Netflix or DVD. But thank you for pestering Showcase. Maybe you'll put a bug in their ear, who knows?

7:09 PM

6 Comments:

Remember when I couldn't manage to find a copy of the TV poster? I do.

By  jmulligan, at 1:34 PM  

I know, right?

By  Alex Epstein, at 1:37 PM  

Posting in it in different outlets and social media platforms as teaser is generally an effective way to introduce a movie to the market.

By  Unknown, at 2:17 PM  

Alex, thanks for blogging my inquiry. The trouble is, I've talked to Showcase, and to the production companies, and now to the writer. Showcase tells me that, of course, these things are dependent on perceived consumer demand. But how is any demand supposed to be generated if a series is never shown in reruns, never released on DVD, and never available on Netflix, YouTube, etc? Short of saving up my pennies and taking out my own full-page ad, there's nothing that can be done on my end. Are these companies NOT interested in making residual profits off a series they already paid out to produce?I don't understand the business model behind letting a saleable gather dust indefinitely. My frustration with these folks is reaching the point of contempt, frankly.

By  Clay Poupart, at 9:29 PM  

Alex, thanks for blogging my inquiry. The trouble is, I've talked to Showcase, and to the production companies, and now to the writer. Showcase tells me that, of course, these things are dependent on perceived consumer demand. But how is any demand supposed to be generated if a series is never shown in reruns, never released on DVD, and never available on Netflix, YouTube, etc? Short of saving up my pennies and taking out my own full-page ad, there's nothing that can be done on my end. Are these companies NOT interested in making residual profits off a series they already paid out to produce?I don't understand the business model behind letting a saleable gather dust indefinitely. My frustration with these folks is reaching the point of contempt, frankly.

By  Clay Poupart, at 9:30 PM  

PS I just bought your Crafty TV book. Looking forward to getting into it.

By  Clay Poupart, at 3:15 PM  

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