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Post by pawntake on Aug 31, 2019 19:28:08 GMT
How many MR Stories would feature in a Boxset?? Just wondered?
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Aug 31, 2019 19:30:22 GMT
Hmmm..The Main Range possibly being considered for boxsets? Interesting..this is certainly news to me. When was the idea floated? And what do those of you who subscribe regularly think of the possibility? And what might this mean for the Torchwood monthly range? A change of format for the Main/Monthly Range is a discussion that has popped up with some degree of regularity for several years now. As an overseas CD buyer, the MR switching to box sets would save me about $75.00 in shipping. Plus, as difficult as it is to say this, Colin & Sly are both in their mid to late 70s & Peter Davison is in his late 60s. What happens when we lose one of the Main Range Doctors? What if one of the MR Doctors decides to turn in their TARDIS key and retire? Having the MR as box set releases also takes some pressure off of maintaining a monthly release schedule. I'm not saying I don't love having my new Doctor Who adventure arrive every month because I do but there are certainly realities that have to be planned for as Big Finish looks several years ahead.
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Aug 31, 2019 19:32:37 GMT
How many MR Stories would feature in a Boxset?? Just wondered? I don't know but I would guess that The Third Doctor Adventures box sets would probably be a pretty good model.
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Post by barnabaslives on Aug 31, 2019 20:43:54 GMT
A change of format for the Main/Monthly Range is a discussion that has popped up with some degree of regularity for several years now. As an overseas CD buyer, the MR switching to box sets would save me about $75.00 in shipping. It sounds good at first glace but I have never quite figured out how that's really supposed to work. Unless they manage to get 4-6 releases ahead of schedule, wouldn't you still basically have to wait for all the releases in a set to have them shipped all at once? I think people can already wait for a whole set to be released and order a set as a retro-sub to save on shipping. (I also wonder what the Monthly Range/Adventures will be called if not released monthly but I suppose that part would be a relatively small issue).
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Post by chronotis on Sept 1, 2019 1:00:28 GMT
I think a shift to box sets from what is currently referred to as the Monthly Range would be a brilliant idea. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Early Adventures also switched to box sets.
The first three Doctors and David Warner's unbound Doctor would get one box set a year. The 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th would each get at lease two sets and McGann gets three. Same content they are currently getting, just in a more condensed format.
Less plastic, less printing, less postage. Same product.
It's also not like this is the first time this has happened. We adjusted when the 4th Doctor Adventures, the 8th Doctor Adventures, the Companion Chronicles, Gallifrey, Benny, Blakes 7, and Sherlock Holmes went from single releases to two box sets. I have no doubt we will adjust if/when this change happens too.
Speaking as someone who doesn't buy releases from every Doctor, I love the thought of being able to get everything I buy in only a handful of box sets.
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Post by tuigirl on Sept 1, 2019 1:08:14 GMT
I think a shift to box sets from what is currently referred to as the Monthly Range would be a brilliant idea. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Early Adventures also switched to box sets.
The first three Doctors and David Warner's unbound Doctor would get one box set a year. The 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th would each get at lease two sets and McGann gets three. Same content they are currently getting, just in a more condensed format.
Less plastic, less printing, less postage. Same product.
Speaking as someone who doesn't buy releases from every Doctor, I love the thought of being able to get everything I buy in only a handful of box sets.
I am certainly on board in making the Warner Doctor one of the regulars...
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Post by chronotis on Sept 1, 2019 1:42:05 GMT
I also wonder what the Monthly Range/Adventures will be called if not released monthly but I suppose that part would be a relatively small issue.
I imagine it would be three different ranges. The Fifth Doctor Adventures, the Sixth Doctor Adventures, and the Seventh Doctor Adventures. If they do go down the box set route, it would be great if they grouped them together in a bundle with similar savings and incentives to those that a Monthly Range subscription currently offers.
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Post by masterdoctor on Sept 1, 2019 1:54:01 GMT
And think about, every month would have a least one Doctor boxset, and even then there would easily be room for months to double up. I would be in full support as I think this is a great way to package up releases and still have monthly adventures. It would also help those with shipping being for a boxset cheaper than 2 separate packages over 2 months etc. I really hope this is the plan going forward, especially since each Doctor has their own boxset range already.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2019 8:06:13 GMT
And think about, every month would have a least one Doctor boxset, and even then there would easily be room for months to double up. I would be in full support as I think this is a great way to package up releases and still have monthly adventures. It would also help those with shipping being for a boxset cheaper than 2 separate packages over 2 months etc. I really hope this is the plan going forward, especially since each Doctor has their own boxset range already. I can definitely understand the initial knee-jerk reaction against the idea of boxsets, but... Yeah, I honestly can't remember the last time that I didn't purchase a trilogy all in one go. It wouldn't have to be themed or anything either. I'd probably be just as willing to pick up Memories of a Tyrant, Emissary of the Daleks and Harry Houdini's War all in one batch as much as individually. So that'd possibly be... Every three months with spin-offs filling the gaps? Would that qualify as a season, could we have The Sixth Doctor - Winter 2019 and so on?
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mbt66
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Post by mbt66 on Sept 1, 2019 11:16:29 GMT
Would they not just keep to Monthly release for download, but package each trilogy as a boxset when the final instalment is released?
I had hoped that when the new website came along it would allow trilogy subscriptions.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2019 0:41:19 GMT
Would they not just keep to Monthly release for download, but package each trilogy as a boxset when the final instalment is released? I had hoped that when the new website came along it would allow trilogy subscriptions. Yeah, that sounds logical. You still get a digital copy on the side as per usual with the added features of the boxset being the incentive for the longer wait. I do like that as an option, I wouldn't mind trilogy subscriptions (or a bundle option) being available at some point in the future. Even if it's only going forward from newer releases.
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Post by barnabaslives on Sept 2, 2019 1:27:11 GMT
Well, I was very fond of the idea that they could ship a set when complete and in the meantime customers could listen to downloads so they don't have to wait on a shipment to hear to the stories and everybody wins, but as good as it sounds to me it may not be a perfect idea. I suppose for example, what if someone wanted to cancel an order before the set is complete but had already received half the stories as downloads, and things like that?
As long as a scheme doesn't mean less of Colin, Sylvester, Peter or anyone else every year it maybe doesn't sound too terrible. FWIW I'm personally hoping Big Finish have stories recorded as far in advance for their respective Doctors as for the Fourth Doctor. I don't see why not but practicality sometimes clashes with my hopes.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2019 3:48:43 GMT
That's a good point actually. Looks as though the fairest way would be to hold off until the 3 months are completed for both digital and physical, then release it that way. The 6/12-release subscriptions would still have their appeal and it might be easier logistically anyway as they're all multiples of 3. The 12-story subscription would be the equivalent of 4 boxsets, for example.
Yeah... *nods* Yeah, I'd be happy with that as a listener, if it worked production-wise. Same four-episode content, but with a different distribution method.
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Post by chronotis on Sept 2, 2019 5:39:53 GMT
That's a good point actually. Looks as though the fairest way would be to hold off until the 3 months are completed for both digital and physical, then release it that way. The 6/12-release subscriptions would still have their appeal and it might be easier logistically anyway as they're all multiples of 3. The 12-story subscription would be the equivalent of 4 boxsets, for example. Yeah... *nods* Yeah, I'd be happy with that as a listener, if it worked production-wise. Same four-episode content, but with a different distribution method. Is that realistically what Big Finish will do though?
When the switch happens (and I firmly believe it is a matter of when not if), I would put money on the division being in multiples of 4 rather than 3. Surely they'll follow the pattern set by the Fourth Doctor Adventures and give the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors two sets each per year with four discs per set. The equivalent of a 12 month subscription.
The Fourth Doctor Adventures went from eight monthly releases to two box sets at the start of the year. Why do people think this would be any different? Sets of three two disc releases doesn't follow any pattern Big Finish use. Why would they start now when there is a much more straight forward box set model already available?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2019 6:53:14 GMT
That's a good point actually. Looks as though the fairest way would be to hold off until the 3 months are completed for both digital and physical, then release it that way. The 6/12-release subscriptions would still have their appeal and it might be easier logistically anyway as they're all multiples of 3. The 12-story subscription would be the equivalent of 4 boxsets, for example. Yeah... *nods* Yeah, I'd be happy with that as a listener, if it worked production-wise. Same four-episode content, but with a different distribution method. Is that realistically what Big Finish will do though? When the switch happens (and I firmly believe it is a matter of when not if), I would put money on the division being in multiples of 4 rather than 3. Surely they'll follow the pattern set by the Fourth Doctor Adventures and give the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors two sets each per year with four discs per set. The equivalent of a 12 month subscription. The Fourth Doctor Adventures went from eight monthly releases to two box sets at the start of the year. Why do people think this would be any different? Sets of three two disc releases doesn't follow any pattern Big Finish use. Why would they start now when there is a much more straight forward box set model already available?
*shrugs* Realistically, your guess is as good as mine. I've no idea what their production cycle looks like. It wouldn't be the first time they've reconfigured how the Main Range distributes content (we didn't have trilogies until 2009), so boxes of four could easily be on the table. The personal preference is for three as that's been comfortable to purchase and easy to listen to in blocks. I'm not fussed either way, I'd still buy it.
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Post by Whovitt on Sept 2, 2019 7:25:36 GMT
There are a couple of problems with either three- or four-story box sets. Firstly, Big Finish don't currently offer 12-month subs, they offer 12-release subs. My latest sub is a good example of how much difference that makes: I got both releases in December, all the releases from Jan-Aug, and I'm finishing off this month with both releases. That only covers 10 months. Secondly, the Main Range consists of 13 releases per year, so unless they're going to have three trilogies and one tetralogy per year (which would create differing costs for different box sets), I'm not really sure how they could keep with the current release schedule if they switched to box sets.
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lidar2
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You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
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Post by lidar2 on Sept 2, 2019 8:05:52 GMT
There are a couple of problems with either three- or four-story box sets. Firstly, Big Finish don't currently offer 12-month subs, they offer 12- release subs. My latest sub is a good example of how much difference that makes: I got both releases in December, all the releases from Jan-Aug, and I'm finishing off this month with both releases. That only covers 10 months. Secondly, the Main Range consists of 13 releases per year, so unless they're going to have three trilogies and one tetralogy per year (which would create differing costs for different box sets), I'm not really sure how they could keep with the current release schedule if they switched to box sets. The monthly range is monthly. Once you switch to say quarterly box sets it ceases to be monthly. That is stating the obvious, but it risks "breaking the habit" for customers who buy monthly, thereby potentially losing sales, plus a quarterly box set would mean no releases in the intervening months - out of sight, out of mind, etc.
Having said that I think there is merit in the idea of abandoning the MR as it currently is as it may help attract new customers. There is something very intimidating for a newbie about release 255
It's a tricky balancing act for BF - fewer long story arcs means more jumping on points for new listeners, yet longer story arcs can hook existing customers and keep them buying to find out how the arc ends.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2019 8:25:26 GMT
There are a couple of problems with either three- or four-story box sets. Firstly, Big Finish don't currently offer 12-month subs, they offer 12- release subs. My latest sub is a good example of how much difference that makes: I got both releases in December, all the releases from Jan-Aug, and I'm finishing off this month with both releases. That only covers 10 months. Secondly, the Main Range consists of 13 releases per year, so unless they're going to have three trilogies and one tetralogy per year (which would create differing costs for different box sets), I'm not really sure how they could keep with the current release schedule if they switched to box sets. The monthly range is monthly. Once you switch to say quarterly box sets it ceases to be monthly. That is stating the obvious, but it risks "breaking the habit" for customers who buy monthly, thereby potentially losing sales, plus a quarterly box set would mean no releases in the intervening months - out of sight, out of mind, etc.
Having said that I think there is merit in the idea of abandoning the MR as it currently is as it may help attract new customers. There is something very intimidating for a newbie about release 255
It's a tricky balancing act for BF - fewer long story arcs means more jumping on points for new listeners, yet longer story arcs can hook existing customers and keep them buying to find out how the arc ends. Yeah, that knife's edge between myths and the monster of the week. I can remember my impulse as a newcomer was to start off with some of the earlier releases first to get the gist of it. Different Doctors offered slightly different experiences as well. Five and Nyssa were standalone, Sixie and Evelyn grew into their character arc and I enjoyed the more tightly-knitted tapestry for Eight and Charley. Particularly given that the Sixth Doctor and her were a new release at the time and I was eager to explore how one linked to the other. There's something to be said for standalone releases that you can dip in and out of in the beginning before moving into more arc-heavy content later on. That kept me going. Kept me interested. Where the arc-welding faltered for me were the latter-day Hex stories after A Death in the Family. There were other contributing factors, true, but I didn't really feel the appeal of hunting for stories outside the range to have a complete picture. That's just me, though. Maybe it worked for other people.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2019 17:33:54 GMT
I'm not a fan of box-sets but the minute you put the Doctor Who Main/Monthly Range in to box-sets then it'll cease to be a monthly range. We don't know what plans are being discussed but there's no way we're getting 12 boxes of stories featuring the Fifth/Sixth/Seventh Doctor each year! I'd imagine each box-set - if BF decided that is the way forward - would at least be in the 2 x four part Doctor Who story per box format (similar to the 3DA's). The three x 2 CD stories in a box is not a format that Big Finish currently use for their box-sets, as already mentioned, but if they did go down that route then we'd definitely not be getting a box-set that often. Either way it'd be a quarterly range at best and the monthly four episode 'classic-era' story format dies. A format which has served BF well since 1999.
The three classic-era Doctors currently in the MR won't be around forever I know, but while they are with us - and happy to record for Big Finish - I don't think there's any need to mess with the monthly formula. There's nothing stopping the Eighth Doctor having odd random stories in the MR either, as he was a part of it from 2001 -2011. (We need more Eight & Mary Shelley!!!) I see the MR as a Doctor Who 'missing adventures' type of range so technically anything could be slipped in to the MR if BF wanted to do so...
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Post by polly on Sept 3, 2019 22:07:44 GMT
I'm of two minds on the MR/Box Set issue. The Monthly Range has been a two-decade institution and ostensibly the flagship of Big Finish's Doctor Who efforts. I think it would be sad to shut it down, and that's what it probably would be. A change to box sets would mostly likely mean 5/6/7 become their own ranges. I know they've got their own producers now, which is a very good idea, in my opinion, but it would mean the end of an unbroken line dating back to Sirens.
I would also worry that the 2-hour format would either get switched for 1-hour episodes like other some other box set ranges have, or we'd only get two stories per set. I think the trilogies work well enough, usually, and I would like to keep the variety the MR offers compared to something like Dark Eyes, which is really a 16-parter or whatever.
I also don't like having to cough up $35 for McGann box sets in comparison to $12.99 for a main range tale. Hell, that's still close to ten bucks more than if I bought two MRs. I know it saves CD buyers on shipping to have it bundled together, but for a downloader like me I'd prefer not to lay out that much in a lump sum for one release.
Having said all that, box sets seem to be the format Big Finish prefers nowadays, especially for Doctor Who related stuff. I'm kind of surprised we got a Torchwood monthly at all. And sadly, from what I can tell, the MR has not been treated like the main range most of the time anymore. Anything special or out of the ordinary is a box set instead. So, maybe its time really has passed.
If we simply must have box sets, I like the suggestion some others have made to have monthly releases continue as downloads, followed by a physical box set afterward. Seems pretty similar to compiling a TV season onto a DVD set after broadcast, or single comic issues into a trade paperback.
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