Rescue Me TV show on 50GB Blu-ray
Sony starts releasing TV product day-and-date on high-def format
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 3/28/2007
Click for a full list of titles coming out on high-def.
MARCH 28 | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will start issuing TV shows on Blu-ray Disc with the June 5 release of Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season.
Other studios have already committed TV DVD product on the format, including Lionsgate’s March 29 first season release of Weeds. Rescue Me does represent the industry’s second confirmed TV Blu-ray product on high-capacity 50GB discs. Weeds included 50 GB discs in its set.
Rescue Me will be priced at $79.95 on Blu-ray. Its standard-definition version will be released the same day priced at $49.95. Orders are due May 3.
Both versions of the show, chronicling a squad of New York City firefighters, feature a bloopers reel, deleted scenes and six featurettes.
Going forward, Sony plans to release on Blu-ray primarily new series that best showcase high-def video and audio features.
“We don’t want to rerelease catalog TV product on Blu-ray,” said Marc Rashba, Sony VP of marketing. “Right now, we are choosing to get into this by launching day-and-date releases. This one comes out right before the new season launches on FX.
“We won’t necessarily see some of our classic sitcoms, but our focus is to stay on shows where [Blu-ray] will add to the viewing experience, like dramas,” he added.
Sony’s launch of TV product on Blu-ray is proof that the format is gaining traction, said Rashba.
“Blu-ray is growing with this marriage to a hot category,” he said.
