Batman TV on DVD?

[9/23/08] The latest mumblings on the efforts to bring the TV series to DVD.

Currently the situation has Fox filing suit against Warners and other connected companies over the rights to produce and distribute the upcoming "Watchmen" movie, based on contracts signed a considerable while ago. And it appears that they have a very good case indeed.

But do Fox really want to make a “Watchmen” film of their own? Do they want the money from the Warners “Watchmen” film? Do they want a cut? A payoff? Or just holding up a rival?

None of the above. Sources tell me that Fox want the 1960s Batman TV series. Currently Fox own the TV footage, but Warner Bros own the characters and trademarks, via their ownership of DC Comics. The rights to a DVD release have been held up for a long time now, and this case looks like it may be the instrument to release them.

Oh, Fox will get a wodge of cash as well - many millions of dollars it seems. But it seems they also want the rights to release the Adam West-starring Batman on DVD, something long denied fans of the series. And Warners will get the “Watchmen” film, to release as planned.

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But everybody will have to remember that DC Comics is only ONE of the rights-related hurdles that Fox needs to leap over! Fox has to work their way out of a very large "rights hell" situation that not only involves DC (albeit in a smaller and less contentious way than people are imagining), but many others, too! In fact, the sheer scope, depth and breadth of all the rights-holders who have to be brought into various agreements, to get this program released on DVD, can be absolutely frightening!

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[2/18/11] Adam West interview

[6/7/12] Hope springs eternal.  For the first time in 40 years, Warner Bros. Consumer Products will be able to use the likeness of the show's stars, including Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero and Burgess Meredith, on everything from apparel to toys, home goods, publishing and promotions.

WBCP will introduce the new "Batman" product opportunities to potential partners and retailers at next week's Licensing Expo, running June 12-14 in Las Vegas. First products will launch in the spring.

[7/19/12] Some episodes available on youtube uploaded by MrHJona (uploaded starting July 14, 2011, we'll see how long they last)  Actually, looking further, he uploaded all of them!  Also uploaded by Bat-Channel11 including the unaired pilot episode of Batgirl [bonus 2011 unaired pilot episode of Wonder Woman]

Batman The Movie
Return to the Batcave

Birds of Prey 1.1

[7/18/13]  Batman on Blu-Ray sighting?  No, not really.

Meanwhile all of MrHJone's Batman uploads were deleted.  And pretty much everything in the 7/19/12 post above. However BestFanofBatman has uploaded seasons 1 and 2 (plus 2 episodes of season 3).

[1/15/14] Holy nostalgia, Caped Crusader! The original 1960s Batman show is finally getting a home-video release, and Conan O'Brien couldn't be happier.

USA TODAY confirmed the news that the late-night talk-show host tweeted to his 9.75 million followers Wednesday: Warner Bros. Entertainment will be releasing the complete series this year in a box set. He also added a picture of himself and the classic Batmobile with the quip, "The seat smells like Adam West."

The original series, which ran 1966-68 on ABC and in later years in syndication, was many people's introduction to the superhero outside of comics, especially before the Tim Burton Batman movie was released in 1989. And compared to the "Dark Knight" era that began in the 1980s with comics icon Frank Miller and others, the TV show was a lighthearted, campy affair starring West as the earnest Batman and his alter ego Bruce Wayne, Burt Ward as Robin and Yvonne Craig as Batgirl.

However, the many colorful villains they faced on a weekly basis were arguably more of a draw, with a stable of mainstays including the Joker (Cesar Romero), the Penguin (Burgess Meredith), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and three different women to wear the tight leather of Catwoman (Lee Meriwether, Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar). Celebrities of the day were regular guest stars, including film director Otto Preminger as Mr. Freeze, Milton Berle as Louie the Lilac, Vincent Price as Egghead, Liberace as Chandell and his twin brother Harry, and Zsa Zsa Gabor as Minerva.

[yay!]

[7/2/14] Coming in November 2014

[7/17/14] 11/11/14  (Kind of expensive though.)

[11/3/14] Lots of options for the collector

[11/4/14] How Batman finally made it to DVD

[11/9/14] interview highlights with cast members

[11/13/14] Adam West is delighted

[5/5/15] Batman DVD big winner at the 2015 Home Media Magazine Awards