Saw QAF 5 about to be released. Checked it out at Amazon and nearly fell off my chair!!! US$100 for one 13 ep boxset. AU$150 after shipping and converting to Aussie $. Even in Australia they are selling for under $AU100.

Why so expensive?? And not just the latest and final season, but previous ones as well. I've held off buying them only because of the outrageous cost.

Can anyone cast some light on this?

VyperDD

It's probably because the show airs on a pay cable channel here in the U.S. (Showtime) and that the production costs are very high. Thus, they have to pass it off to the consumer.

Most of the HBO original shows are pretty expensive on DVD as well. Deadwood costs over 5 million an episode and the 2 seasons that have been released retail for around 100 bucks.

Basically what 'DJariya' said. HBO and Showtime TV shows don't make any money with advertisements, commercials, and product placement like broadcast and cable TV shows, and thus they try to offset some of the costs with the DVD prices.

The first two seasons are readily available for about $30 (American), while legit seasons 3 & 4 boxes can be found for around $50 if you look good enough. The cheapest I have yet to see season 5 is $62 though...