[robertaloud30]

I know there are websites that sell bootleg copies..BUT why don't they release official dvds of past events? (is it copyright/royalties issues?)

and has anyone had experience with any websites that sell dvds? I really want to watch some old 90s contests but all I have our bad vhs to dvd copies

on another note why can't the official dvds from 2005 onwards have optional commentary from a country you could choose from? (e.g. Terry Wogan for UK) and put a disclaimer how the commentaries comments are personal opinions bla bla bla

[globbits]

The EBU are busy working their way through the archives cleaning everything up ready for the 60th anniversary in 2015. No idea how they plan to release those archives, but I'm hoping it'll include a giant dvd boxset as well as dumping them all on itunes

But yes, I think it'll be a safe bet that part of the challenge will be getting the rights to release all the old contests - the idea of selling recordings wouldn't even have been considered back then, so they might not have put any clauses in the contracts to allow it.

The commentaries will probably be off limits though as I'd guess they would be still be owned by the broadcasters. And the act of trying to clear the rights, hunt down and clean up enough different commentaries to make it worthwhile (I'm quite sure most of Europe wouldn't care what Mr Wogan had to say) would push the costs of a project like this up too high - the same would be true with modern contests. I agree it would be nice though.

[robertaloud30]

thanks for that..that is kinda what i thought too..but didn't know about the 2015 thing!
I wonder what sort of contracts everyone involved would have signed?

[AcerBen]

I don't think they will bother because there won't be enough of a demand. Some of the bootleg DVDs I've bought have been really good quality anyway

[globbits]

Originally Posted by AcerBen

I don't think they will bother because there won't be enough of a demand. Some of the bootleg DVDs I've bought have been really good quality anyway

They're spending a lot of time and money going through the archives at the moment, so they'll definitely find some way of making that money back - it's way too much effort just to find a few shots for a clip show.