• No DVD or Soundtrack in the works for Ponies!

    Seriously?!

    I really don't think Hasbro is on the same page here.

    Anyway here is an Email sent to Pacce
    "Dear Viewer,

    Thank you for contacting The Hub.

    We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to write us with your inquiry.
    At this time there are no plans to create DVDs or CDs of My Little Pony:
    Friendship is Magic. Please know that we will take your comments under
    advisement.

    Thank you for expressing your interest in our programming.

    Sincerely,

    Viewer Relations
    The Hub"
    No plans at all...

    Even G1 had DVD's, and that came out in the tape era!

    So what can YOU do to combat this?!
     To contact them use this:
    Takes only a minute to register.
     Or the people that actually produce their cartoon dvd's

    RHINO HOME VIDEO
    3400 West Olive Ave.
    Burbank, CA 91501
    Phone: 800-546-3670
    Email: www.rhinocustserv@emsi.echomail.com

    They have blu-ray quality saved somewhere! Also be sure to ask nicely for some commentary and behind the scenes yah? 

    55 comments:

    1. So Hasbro will churn out crappy toys like they're doing everyone a favor, but I can't get a freakin' dvd?

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    2. 1) Hasbro doesn't produce DVDs, they license their proporties to another company (paramount handled several recent shows, Rhino and Shout Factory handled 80's shows)
      2) 80's cartoons are more likely to get releases. To companies, old cartoons will be bought by adult fans for nostalgia, new cartoons will be bought by parents for kids, so they're seen as 'less profitable'. It's also why modern cartoons tend to get volumes more often than season sets.
      3) they aren't going to take anything into consideration, they'll just continue swimming in their pools of money.

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    3. @cinostr

      Just tell them we'll buy DVDs. More money for them. Tadaa.

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    4. If they did have plans for DVDs and Blu-Rays, they wouldn`t go around telling people in casual e-mails now, before the first season has even finished airing on television yet.

      As for the soundtrack release, I have less trouble believing what they say there is true. Few children`s television series get CD releases, and prior to Friendship is Magic, MLP never had any quality songs that were popular to even bother releasing on a soundtrack. While contacting that viewer relations regarding the soundtrack may eventually get word back to Hasbro (though the people at that e-mail, I would suspect, primarily deal with issues about The Hub, and only The Hub; their involvement in home video or soundtrack releases would be minimal, if they`re involved at all).

      I`d recommend contacting the actual composer for the series, Daniel Ingram, who`s responsible for all the catchy songs we love so much:

      http://www.techniche.net/other/dingram/

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    5. We need to spam them with "We need dvds" letters now. They just asked for it.

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    6. Someone on IRC was asking for a copypasta to send. I really thing a copypasta would be a BAD idea. Just a simple message saying, "I want to buy the soundtrack & DVD" Will go over better than the same message copied by hundreds. Just my two bits. But, stress that you would buy the DVDs or soundtrack! Money talks!

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    7. But if they start selling DVDs, won't they then want to take down the videos on youtube so that more people buy them ?

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    8. @Anonymous

      When is it not a double edged sword?

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    9. The copies up on Hubworld.com are practically DVD-quality, already. If we`re going to mass e-mail them for a home video release, it may as well be both DVD and BD.

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    10. Well, the first season hasn't even ended yet; I imagine they'll probably at least wait for it to be over before they make any official announcement about releasing DVDs or Soundtracks.

      If we're still getting the same response about this issue several months after the season ends, THEN I might be concerned. But it's too early to be worrying about this sort of thing now.

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    11. This sucks,but spamming them would probably just annoy them really.

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    12. For all the people who are suggesting spamming, don't do it.
      What we need right now is to send them several "proper" letters, so they know just how many devoted fans out there would buy a DVD.

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    13. I just sent a brief, polite message via the feedback form. I noted that I have already put around $200 into pony merch and videos (bought the Season 1 pass on iTunes), and that I will happily put more in. I stated that I (and many others) would love-- and would buy-- a DVD/Blu-Ray release.

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    14. I will happily send the same sort of thing as a paper letter, if someone could dig up appropriate contact info?

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    15. And I quote "At THIS TIME there are no plans to create DVDs or CDs of My Little Pony:
      Friendship is Magic. Please know that we will take your comments under
      advisement."

      So there still is a possibility of a DVD release.

      ReplyDelete
    16. @Anonymous

      You`ve got the right idea. There`s nothing worth panicking about at this point, based on that e-mail. Doing so would assume a few things to be the case:

      1) The person who replied to that e-mail is actually a person and not a machine, and that (if it was a flesh and blood person) the message was actually written by them. It`s entirely possible (and likely) the message was just copied & pasted from a list of approved responses. The grunts who deal with customer relations have no authority to make public announcements about as-yet unannounced products. Since a Blu-Ray and DVD release have yet to be announced by the company, what do you expect them to say?

      2) The person who wrote that message is even in a position to know whether Blu-Rays and DVDs are being planned. This one`s easy; they`re not. They have no way of knowing, at all.

      Additionally, e-mailing The Hub`s viewer relations about this isn`t going after the right people. The Hub is the channel that airs MLP, and while it does exclusively air Hasbro properties it isn`t the same part of the company that makes decisions about Blu-Ray & DVD releases.

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    17. Seriously, this needs a voice of reason here. Contact Hasbro, if anyone. The Hub doesn`t call the shots on DVD & BD products.

      Also, it`s probably just a copied & pasted response, anyway. If the company hasn`t announced a DVD and Blu-Ray release yet, what makes anyone think someone in the customer relations department has the authority to make a definitive statement about it.

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    18. Hasbro's contact page is at http://www.hasbro.com/customer-service/contacts/

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    19. What is this madness!?!
      I hope it's just a copypasta for the hub, and a DVD is in the works, but seriously? This is probably their most popular show by far, and the only reason many of us even know the channel exists!

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    20. I sent them an e-mail about this exact thing a while ago, and I was told to write to Rhino Home Video instead.

      "Hi,

      Thank you for contacting Hasbro, Inc. regarding My Little Pony Friendship is Magic on DVD. We appreciate your interest in our company.

      We license the Hasbro name, and the names of many of our brands to other companies who specialize in particular types of products.

      If made, this would actually be manufactured, distributed and supported by the following company. Please contact them directly for further information:

      RHINO HOME VIDEO
      3400 West Olive Ave.
      Burbank, CA 91501
      Phone: 800-546-3670
      Email: www.rhinocustserv@emsi.echomail.com

      Thank you for your understanding."

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    21. Yeah, I had totally never heard of 'The Hub' until this show.

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    22. Contacting Hasbro directly would definitely make them aware of interest for DVDs/Blu-Rays, but they aren't the ones doing the actual manufacturing of such products. They wrote back to me to tell me to write to Rhino Home Video instead.

      The response I received:


      We license the Hasbro name, and the names of many of our brands to other companies who specialize in particular types of products.

      If made, this would actually be manufactured, distributed and supported by the following company. Please contact them directly for further information:

      RHINO HOME VIDEO
      3400 West Olive Ave.
      Burbank, CA 91501
      Phone: 800-546-3670
      Email: www.rhinocustserv@emsi.echomail.com

      ReplyDelete
    23. @Anonymous

      And, of course, Rhino has a music division as well that's been responsible for the release of many a cartoon soundtrack.

      Rhino is certainly a better candidate for requests than The Hub, who wouldn't be aware of plans for DVDs, Blu-Rays or CDs one way or the other.

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    24. Nigga whaaaaaat?
      That is beyond stupid.

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    25. HASBRO'S SNAIL MAIL ADDRESSES:


      Hasbro, Inc.
      Consumer Affairs
      P.O. Box 200
      Dept. C-847
      Pawtucket, RI 02862-0200

      Corporate Mailing Address:
      Hasbro, Inc.
      1027 Newport Avenue
      Pawtucket, RI 02862
      Phone: 401-431-8697

      ReplyDelete
    26. Actually I'd been meaning to bring this up on the blog. I really think there should be an entry here dealing with "How to write a letter that doesn't end up in the trash folder or shredder." Just a little tutorial about how to write a letter that will get your point across without sounding like an asshole. I think one of the last things we need is a thousand letters that all say "Are you stupid? WTF is this shit? Where's Derpy??" I don't think a form letter is any good either, cuz then you're not really showing any more passion than it would take to hit ctrl-c ctrl-v. A few well written, polite letters could probably get us much farther than a pile of vitriol laced demands. I already sent a letter via snail mail myself to Hasbro. I'm no pro, but if you're looking for examples, I'd be happy to provide a slightly edited copy.

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    27. Season one isn't finished yet so I don't see them having dvd plans in the near future. so chillax everypon and wait a little while longer

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    28. @Ajin

      YES! Please do so. I'm in college and was recently taught how to write proper letters as well. I don't have time to put together a lengthy tutorial, but if you'd like my assistance, I'd be willing to help out.

      If you need me, I go by the name Senn555 on both DeviantArt and FurAffinity.

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    29. Zecora hasn't even come to town yet, and we're already acting like background ponies. Seriously, season 1 isn't over yet, and it won't be over for...let's see...two months! Emailing guys like Hasbro and Rhino is a great idea, but have some self control and exercise a little reason.

      ReplyDelete
    30. Yeah, I contacted Hasbro first who linked me to discovery.
      But it would probably be a good idea to politely contact both and Rhino.
      I know the season's not over yet, but we really need to show that there's consumer interest.

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    31. Shut up and take my money, Hasbro!

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    32. aaaaaaand request sent to discovery.

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    33. For everyone's information:

      They HAVE made CDs of the cartoons that coincided with the G3 line. The soundtracks were for "A Very Minty Christmas" and "The Princess Promenade."

      I own both, and they're awful. Each have the 3-4 (not great) songs from the featured movie, and 8 or so public domain Christmas carols/children's songs as filler.

      I would DEFINITELY take that as a good sign. If they released two different CDs for the Pony line when they only had a handful of mediocre songs to choose from, then it seems almost certain that they would do a release for a cartoon with an abundance of fun original songs.

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    34. @Jenny
      That is a good sign.
      I just... I dunno.
      It's become important to me to support this show.
      There's so very little quality family programing these days.

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    35. I wouldn't count on it, Jenny. Hasbro couldn't find their own flank with all four hooves.

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    36. I've so far sent emails to the Discovery site, Hasbro directly, and Hot Topic (to see if they've been in contact with either about MLP stuff). Haven't heard back yet, but we'll see.

      I'd like to bring up, though, that in addition to letters, postcards can be a good way to get a company's attention. They're cheaper to mail, require no return address, and you can send as many as you want. Postcard writing campaigns have worked with other shows in the past; it's a large part of why, for example, "Forever Knight" eventually got a DVD release.

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    37. You guys are really jumping the gun here - the first season hasn't even finished airing. They usually don't even start planning DVD released until they can wrap the broadcast season, take a look back, and assess whether or not it'll be worth their time. Just be patient, it'll happen.

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    38. @Anonymous
      It NEVER hurts to let a company know you're interested.

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    39. @Anonymous

      It certainly doesn't hurt to send an e-mail and let them know you support the idea.

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    40. Give them an chance! FFS the show hasnt even done its first season yet. Transformers Animated Season 1 didnt come out untill midwy thorugh Season 2. It happens, they have to find a producer and distrobuter for the DVDs this wont happen yet maybe on the run up to xmas they will start making plans.

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    41. @Anonymous
      Of course, Star Driver (a currently airing anime) had a half season DvD put out only ONE episode after the half season point. If we go by that standard, this DvD is long overdue.

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    42. @FightingFire

      Except that's got to be the stupidest release methodology I've ever heard of. The only other show I can think of that got a DVD released in the middle of a season was the very last season of 24, which had the opening episodes released to DVD a couple days after airing.

      But that kind of thing isn't commonly done.

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    43. @Pacce: Yeah, I've been doing what I can to support the show. I've bought a season pass to Season 1 in HD on the iTunes store, I've bought plenty of ponies, etc... When a nice show like this comes around, you have to support it!

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    44. As my girlfriend is deaf, I feel personally insulted by their decision to not have any plans for a DVD. Finding English subtitles for web episodes is a real bitch. Neither Hubworld nor iTunes has Closed Captioning available. Thus, the only way my girlfriend can get her pony addiction is with crappy fansubs with mispellings, missing episodes, mistranslations, or unnecessities (read: Nathan2000 on MLP Wikia), or wait a week for Friday to roll around, forcing her to miss out on the previous episodes.

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    45. I'm not sure about DVDs, but I would DEFINITELY buy a soundtrack if they released one. I'm holding out hope that they will!

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    46. Shout! Factory released a recent My Little Pony DTV movie, making them a likely candidate to release FIM on video (and maybe CD). You can request it on their website's forum: http://www.shoutfactory.com/community.aspx

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    47. @Lockesly
      Relax. You are not being personally insulted. Hasbro has not "made a decision not to have any plans for a DVD"; that's absurd. They haven't made any plans for a DVD yet. Have patience.

      For what it's worth, if you'd like to start making some high-quality fansubs for your girlfriend, it should be a fairly easy job. Just use the transcriptions that somepony always puts up on the wiki in ten seconds flat as a basis and sync them to the screen action.

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    48. @Anonymous

      Everyone do your part and write to them! I just wrote to Rhino requesting it and I am about to write to Hasbro. We can even get a petition going. I may start one and post! In fact, I will get right on that.

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    49. Here is the link to a petition. Even if season one isn't over it never hurts to show them they have a big fan base. http://www.change.org/petitions/we-want-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-on-dvd-please#?opt_new=f

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    50. Well, I wrote in and signed the petition, though I don't know how optimistic I actually am...contacting everyone concerned is definitely worth a shot, though. I could certainly imagine a DVD release of some sort coming eventually.

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    51. @Anonymous
      SAY WAT!!!!!! Hasbro must be crazy!! Over millions of viewers whatch it but you are not making an dvd? Come on people, i have been waiting for months and this is the news.. I am very VERY upset! And wat is up with the toys? I have 2 ranbow dashes but they don't really look like the real deal?

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    52. amazon com has a few fim dvds now due to the holiday time tho they are just little episodes on dvd not a full season yet

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