Notes on release schedule of animated films

[raidermatt]

Maybe this was already known by everyone else, but I had missed it until I heard it on the earnings call...

Disney is changing the strategy on its video release schdule for its "Platinum" releases. The cycle is being reduced from 10 years to 7 years, with two films being released each year, March and October. All will be released on DVD by 2007.

There will be a two year selling perioed, followed by a 5 year off period. Eisner says that in the future, we may see the 7 year timeframe reduced further.

4 titles are being added to the Platinum list, Sleeping Beauty, Pinnochio, Peter Pan, and Fantasia.

Pixar releases are also going to a "4-5" year window (this I somewhat knew about because of the recent commercials about TS and TS2 going "back into the vault".)

 

[YoHo]

As usual I haven't been paying attention, Haven't Disney movies been on a 7 year schedual ever since Wells and Esner opened up the Library?

 

[hopemax]

I think they were on a 7 year, then it was bumped up to to 10, and now I think they dropped it back down to 7. All I know is it took 10 years for my Beauty and the Beast to be re-released. I was a Disney avoiding highschooler when it came out the first time and by the time I was a Disney-loving college student, it was out-of-print and everytime there would be a hint it was being re-released Disney would muck around with the release schedule and BatB was pushed back.

 

[raidermatt]

They've been on a 10-year schedule for a couple of years. There are (or were) 10 Platinum titles, and one was being released each year... Snow White in '01, Beast in '02, Lion King in '03, Alladin scheduled for '04, all in October.

I don't know if Alladin will remain October of '04 and something else will be released in March '04, or if Alladin will be moved up to March.

But I think you're right, heir Pirate... prior to a few years ago, I think the schedule was 7 years.

 

[All Aboard]

Odd that Pan, Fantasia and Pinnochio would be added to the Platinum Series, since each of these has been released in the last few years.

I would have expected Cinderella (which has never been released on DVD) to be part of the series. Does anyone know if it is in there somewhere?

 

[Sarangel]

Cindy has always been part of the Platinum schedule. My concern is what is this going to do to the Sleeping Beauty release currently scheduled for September?...

 

[raidermatt]

Good point... possibly March instead? Or, maybe it will keep its release date, and March won't be used until '05?

I just checked and its still listed as September at Disney.com...for whatever that is worth.

I believe The Little Mermaid is another that was previously released, but later became a part of the Platinum schedule.

I want to say The Jungle Book is another example, but I'm not sure. I think somebody posted it on this site before...

 

[raidermatt]

Here's the 10 Platinum titles, I believe in release date order. (so Aladdin was 2004, Bambi 2005, etc). Some were released under different programs, like the "gold collection".

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, Bambi, The Jungle Book, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians.

So now we add the new four, but I'm not sure where in the release schedule. Since Fantasia, Pan and Pinnochio have all been previously released on DVD, I'd expect them to go towards the end of the schedule.

 

[airlarry!]

What worries me more is that there does not seem to be a big pipeline of new animated hits coming in the next five years.

Ever since B&B, I've always seen 'lists' of the upcoming movies that were in development. What did they share in the call? Just Brother Bear? Home on the Range/Sweating Bullets/whatever the title?

Be scared. Be very, very scared.

 

[ROBINHOOD1]

you can get all the info from buena vista for the platinum collection.