Is that why Fox ordered 22 more episodes in early June?

FYI, for those who care...I am not reading the long ass replies to points already dragged out. I agree to just not give a crap, so let's move on with the topic of the thread.

I actually like this idea. As you mentioned, putting recognizable actors in it would help, but then again plenty of shows fail anyway with a famous actor in the cast. I don't really like your idea of putting it out like 1 or 2 eps at a time or the high price. I was gonna say maybe it would be put out & I could rent it & if I liked it buy it. Then again if I only sort of liked it I probably wouldn't buy it & most video stores only rent the most well known shows (aside from online rental places). I never really think about downloading shows (like a lot of people do). I still have dial up & it would take me forever. Plus the few times I tried to download stuff in the past I often ended up with something I wasn't trying to download in the first place.

Great thread folks. ALthough the OP's ideas are interesting, I understand the criticisms as to why straight to DVD series would probably not be commercially viable. However, I'd like to expand on the original idea.

I wouldn't be likely to purchase a DVD for a series I had not seen yet. However, if a networked advertised that we could go online to purchase a DVD of 5 pilots they did not pick up, starring Jenna Elfman, JLH or other random TV/celebrity, then go to their website and poll my opinions of the pilots. I just might put down $10 -$20 every once in a while, out of curiosity. And then if the show got picked up, I might actually watch and see what happens to the characters and the plot and if the network implements online suggestions, etc. Failed pilots always seemed like an incredible waste of resources, time, money, etc., to me. They might as well try to make a buck off them. I'll acknowledge that this would probably not be possible, because the number of people out there that would actually go out and purchase a DVD of failed pilots would probably be miniscule, not be and accurate sample of the viewing public, and not even enough for them (the network) to bring back a show, it would still be kinda cool to be able to reply opinions and actually feel like an active part of the process. This, of course, does not take into account the time and resources it would take to produce, advertise and distribute a DVD, then have producers, talent and production co.s wait around on hold for entire year just to see what us geeks think, if the experiment works. People have to move on with their lives, I know.

Another Idea expanding from the OP. As I and others have said, we wouldn't likely buy a DVD (or multiple DVD's for that matter) for a series we've never seen. However, If the straight to DVD could truly take advantage of features that network TV and cable TV could not, namely interactivity and content, then I might subscribe or buy the first couple DVDs. More specifically, if at the end of a segment a menu gave the viewer an oportunity to "choose your own adventure" or choose the next line of dialog, that might be cool too. I know, this is beginning to sound like a video game?! If you could choose Chandler's or Kramer's punchlines, or if you could choose who to kill off, that would be kinda cool and entertaining. If the content could be that which could not be shown on Network television in this post-Janet Jackson Super Bowl sensitive day and age, thaen that might be a draw as well. FCC fines could be avoided. however, to go beyond that which is availbale on cable or pay services, we would be treading inot the realm of pornography and Faces of Death (not that there's anything wrong about that).

Anyways, might point being is, to make it wrth while and work, the content would have to be exclusive somehow, yet appealling to a mass (or smaller than mass) audience.

VOD is the only solution. Forcibly play ads before the show, and then let the games begin. The only "free" TV would be channels advertising shows to download so you can see the ads before the show.

I know there is a new Adult Series for gay men that has been released. Maybe more will follow suit.

Didn't see this anywhere else in the thread but this is being done with Futurama. Not sure if it's going to be a series of eps or full lengh features but it is coming back in a direct to video format.

I believe all that's being rumored so far is one feature-length video. However, even if it was a series released on DVD, it'd be of an existing property from TV, and not an original concept that the original post was speculating about.

Family Guy almost went this way too, with a feature-length video, before the show was uncancelled. The video movie is still on the way.

From my understanding gotfuturama has it confirmed from Groining that there will be something however I do hope it'll be more than 1 TV movie.

As far as new content arriving on DVD first I tend to think that wouldn't be the best way to go. Shows that don't get the market share on regular TV/Cable/Pay Cable but who form a cult following could carry a dvd only series nicely however for a new proptery to launch it'd have to have a *big* name behind it. I'm sure Groining could could do it but I'm not sure who else.

From one of the Kim Possible DVD commentary tracks (from gotfuturama):

Someone else: This one's just for John. I think Cinescape reported that FOX is thinking about bringing Futurama back straight to DVD. Have you heard that?
John: Actually, I was at the 350th episode of The Simpsons party over at FOX and ran into David X. Cohen and Matt. And David said "Yeah, we're gonna do some straight to DVD movies." I said "all right, well, when I hear Matt say it I'll know." Then I said "Matt, what's up? Give me the straight stuff." And he said "Yeah". So basically, I think what they're gonna do is they're gonna ... do straight to DVD movies that'll be on the air quality. And if FOX wants to put them on, Matt will be like "Guys, put'em on." Looks like we're gonna do it. I haven't heard anything contract-wise or anything like that. So ... anything can happen. But once I sign my name on the dotted line, I'll be singing in the streets.

I wonder if Fox ever regrets cancelling that great show?

I think Fox is already doing this. I think they put on great shows like Wonderfalls and The Inside with little intention of giving them a chance, knowing they have DVD or a cable station buying the rights. I personally would buy a series I have never seen. I have over 50 TV seasons on DVD, and only a few were shows I actually watched. Now I'm a huge fan of Buffy, Angel, Firefly, X-Files, and Wonderfalls and I never watched one episode on TV. So if a Studio released a show straight to DVD I would give it a chance especially if had any writers or actors that I like. I bought Firefly and Wonderfalls just because of the creative teams involved

It doesn't make sense for FOX, the network, to do this though. FOX, the network, pays for every episode produced, yet doesn't see a dime from the syndication rights and DVD sales. The only way FOX makes money from these shows is through the advertising they sell when it airs.