I'd love to include region 2 information, but I don't think it'll ever happen. We'd also have to include region 4, since we'd have people asking for that as well. The problem is the time needed to properly cover the other regions. I spend a great deal of time on the phone talking to the studios, asking them what they have coming, and suggesting other titles to look into. Then there's the time spent looking for press releases and announcements. Expanding to include region 2 would mean making new contacts, but with companies overseas (which makes it a lot harder to get ahold of them). Then there's the thought of researching all the region 2 DVDs that have already been released and get them added to the site. It would just be an extremely difficult thing to pull off, and I'd rather not do something than do it half-assed (like the alterations list).

Well, that's something that won't change. I've told TV Guide that I'll continue to handle the emails from the site since I feel it's important for me to keep in touch with the readers. It's something that would be hard to pass off as well, since the person who responded would have to know the industry, the DVDs that have been released, the news we've posted, and every other tidbit of information....it's just easier for me to do it. I've also made a number of "friends" through running the website, and I'd hate to miss out on the opportunity to make more.

Gord

Congrats, that has to be some feeling to work on site so long and succesfully and sell it like that. From business pointview I find that intesting. As fan I can only hope its integrity stays the same.

Since the site's integrity (and the willingness to stay intact) has been brought up a few times, I'd be interested in hearing how you guys view the integrity of the website.

I'm making a list of all these comments so I can give them to my bosses at TV Guide and say, "hey, here's the reaction to the announcement so far, now how to we ensure these things don't happen and the site grows?"

Seriously guys, I really appreciate the passion that you have for the site, and the information you're giving me. I'll admit it's a bit hard to hear some of the criticism, but I feel most of it is done in a constructive manner, and I'm taking note of the areas the site can improve.

Gord

Same here. I've always admired that about you, gord.

now they can use all that money to watch any dvd tv show they want.

I'm another daily visiter. I love the site. I use it strictly for press releases though due to the lack of alteration information. It doesn't even have to be that in depth of a description . Just note that music has been changed, or the episodes are syndicated cuts. I don't need a point-by-point breakdown of every song or minute missing. Just a line stating the fact. Usually just knowing is enough for one to decide to support the release or not.

As for the overall integrity, I equate TSoDVD with tvtome. TVTome was simple and easy to navigate. Once TV.com took over you have all kinds of flash ads, background ads, crap everywhere. Not to mention content that took one to two clicks now takes four to five. Quite honestly a nightmare.

Thanks for the information, Gord. An integration of your site and TV Guide does seem to hold promise, as you describe it. I like the idea of TV Guide providing the finer details of TV shows for you. Color me cautiously optimistic.

As for what I want to see, I'm going to join with those pining for the Alterations List. I depend on that whenever I'm pondering a TV on DVD purchase. If I learn that changes have been made, and they divert a show too much from its original television exhibition, I put on the brakes. The Alterations List at TV Shows on DVD is one of the few-- one of the extremely few-- places we can find that information, and we need it back. Not sure how to maintain its reliability, other than possibly confirming with the studios themselves when a modification is reported.

--THX

I guess I should have added to my original post that I would never expect you to handle all that yourself. I guess I was thinking a UK person could work with you on the information...I know that's probably unlikely to happen...but you had asked what we'd like to see.

For what I'd realistically like to see...well, kind of what others here have said...just keep the site simple and free of flash/pop up ads. I guess the only thing I would like to see changed is a price comparison thing on the DVDs when you click on the links to buy....if you were to offer links to like the top 5 DVD sites out there and the prices offered then your readers could click on the best deal straight away, if they were interested.

I'd hate to have your phone bill.

It's not that bad - I have a decent calling plan that gives me 3.5c/min to Canada and the US. I should look into signing up with Vonage, or one of the other VoIP companies.

Gord

As I've said via e-mail, Gord, I think this is great news. However, the comments in this thread have made me realize what it could really mean, and I hope the proclamations of gloom and doom are wrong.

I absolutely agree that the resources of TV Guide are going to be tremendously valuable, and the marriage of the two seems a perfect fit. The only thing I feel I should point out is that when you say "there's only so much a couple guys can do", I think a lot of what's making people nervous is that there's only so much a big corporation like TV Guide can say on their website. A couple guys can point out flaws in TV-on-DVD releases, complain about a lack of bonus features, warn people about better releases out-of-region, etc. I don't see TV Guide going along with stuff like that, even though they don't actually produce DVD sets (with the exception of the few compilations that have been done).

As long as the "suits" don't stop you from giving your honest opinion and continuing to operate in the best interest of the fans, I'll continue to be a daily visitor.

I love your site Gord, and will echo what others have said.

The alterations list is a must have. Without it, your site goes from a daily visit to a glorified press release database. We don't need scene by scene descriptions of changes, just the basics as Michael Corvin mentioned above.

And I must be honest and say that I still fear the worst, that "the suits" will someday restrain you and the site from being critical of releases that deserve criticism.

no kidding, i have never had anyone respond to e-mails so fast. i think tvshowsondvd.com is the best info site for tv on dvd, don't know what i would do without it.
& its the only place to find reviews on the corner gas dvds.

It's too bad others don't feel the need to respond to emails quickly. I do it because 1) I'm on the computer working, 2) I don't think people should have to wait for a response 3) if I don't respond right away then the emails build up and it looks more daunting than it really is.

Don't worry, my quick responses to emails won't be going away, unless I'm on a trip, which will happen a bit more often now than before. Even if that happens you'll receive a response within 24 hours because I can't go that long without being online (unless I'm on a *GASP* vacation).

I had a great day of meetings with TV Guide yesterday, and I'll be back for a half day today before flying home.

Gord

Just noticed that you posted a story about the theme (Low Rider) music being replaced on the George Lopez set and that that the package doesn't denote that.



A small step in the right direction.

Hey, new Site News on the front page! Let's click on this news item about Banacek!
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7331

Advertorial? Paid for? That's "Site News"?

Majorly deceptive and major thumbs down.

If you're going to have paid ads as "news" and stories, at least have the balls to label it "Paid Ad" on the front page.

"Advertorial"? Seriously? Someone needs to be punched in the nether-regions for coming up with that.

At least it's nice to know I'm definitely not missing anything at TVSOD these days.

I still regularly check them and haven't noticed much of a difference. If you're doubting their integrity, check it now. The announcement for S2 of The Tick has "missing episode" right in the headline. Seems like it goes both ways to me, it is a business for them.



(and what is with the missing episodes on the The Tick sets anyways? S1 and S2 are both missing an episode, are they saving them for a special release? )

Banacek's first season is being released by TVGuide so I can see why. Seriously though do you not have enough to do to complain over something so small. TVSHOWSONDVD.com is still the best site to find info on TV ON DVD releases, missing ep, syn eps, etc... I collect alot of TV shows on DVD so its helped me out alot.

It was a slow afternoon at work

But the problem is that is not "something so small." For a news site (which is what TSoD is) to pass off something that is a paid advertisement as news hurts their credibility. And don't say they didn't try to pass it off as news - it was listed under "Latest News" and categorized as "Site News." It wasn't until someone clicked on the link that it was noted that it was actually paid by the company releasing the set. This sets a bad precedent for the site.

Think about it - It's similar to if you're at CNN's Web site and they have a link to a story called "McDonald's Makes an Announcement Today." You click it, expecting to see news about the company but instead it's an "advertorial" for a new sandwich that McD's is launching that day, paid for by McD's. That's just wrong.

If Gord continues to allow these "advertorials" to be posted to his site, I hope he makes them look a little less "newsy" in the future.

P.S. I've also had a problem with the lack of Gord and Dave mentioning the site's association with TVG in articles about the upcoming TVG releases. It's pretty much a standard for news organizations to do that (i.e. MSNBC mentions their connection to Microsoft or GE when they do a story about either company; CNN is the same with Time Warner).

LOL those are SEC regulations!

I thought they had to do it, but I wasn't sure. Thanks.

The site is owned by TVGuide -> TVGuide has a hand in a DVD release -> they own a website that puts out news about said type of releases -> thus the site releases info about the release that was paid for -> they title site news so it is different than the regular news stories.

I don't see the problem. Maybe they could title it "Advertorial" next time, but it does not and will not affect my decision to visit the site daily. Geoff does stuff around here from time to time that is similar (ads in the post come to mind but that was axed and we have a thread specifically in the bargains forum for coupons from and contact with DVDPlanet founder Mark that is stickied) for advertisers - its called paying the bills - free sites have to get some money from somewhere (advertisers).