POWERFUL SLATE OF TV-TO-DVD IN 2005
AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SHOWS THAT DEFINED THE MOST-WATCHED ERA IN NETWORK TELEVISION HISTORY NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON DVD
FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
POWERFUL SLATE OF TV-TO-DVD IN 2005
INCLUDES FULL SEASONS OF LAS VEGAS; MIAMI VICE; MONK; LAW & ORDER;
KOJAK; COLUMBO; MURDER, SHE WROTE; MAGNUM P.I.; KNIGHT RIDER;
THE A-TEAM; QUANTUM LEAP; NORTHERN EXPOSURE AND MORE...
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- January 20, 2005 -- Further underscoring its position as a leading provider of TV-to-DVD, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) is proud to announce its 2005 slate of award-winning, era-defining television programs. These titles, almost all of which have never been available on DVD, revolutionized the entertainment industry and set the standard for event television. The 2005 slate includes such unforgettable hits as MIAMI VICE, KOJAK, LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, COLUMBO, and MURDER, SHE WROTE as well as hugely popular, current series such as MONK and LAW & ORDER. Many of these collections feature extensive bonus materials and collectible packaging, boosting their appeal to TV fans and DVD collectors alike.
"With TV-to-DVD among the fastest growing segments of our industry, we are well poised to capitalize on NBC Universal's treasure trove of television assets," said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "With award-winning series that redefined the television landscape, consumers will now have the freedom to own and enjoy some of the most beloved shows for the first time ever on DVD."
USHE's impressive slate of TV-to-DVD collections in the first five months of 2005 features the debut seasons of LAS VEGAS (available now); MIAMI VICE; MURDER, SHE WROTE; KOJAK and THE HARDY BOYS NANCY DREW MYSTERIES, all of which are available for the first time ever on DVD. In addition, Universal is releasing second and third season DVD collections of some of television's most popular and enduring series, including MONK, COLUMBO, MAGNUM P.I., KNIGHT RIDER, LAW & ORDER and THE A-TEAM. The first few months of 2005 also will see the release of Season Three collections of QUANTUM LEAP and NORTHERN EXPOSURE.
Following the smash success of last year's MONK: SEASON ONE DVD comes MONK: SEASON TWO on January 11, 2005. He's phobic, he's obsessive-compulsive and he's the most brilliant crime solver since Sherlock Holmes. Emmy� and Golden Globe� Award winner Tony Shalhoub plays San Francisco police consultant Adrian Monk, "TV's most original sleuth ever" (Los Angeles Times), in the critically acclaimed series the New York Post called "the best detective show to come along in decades." The release of the 16-episode DVD set is timed to coincide with USA Network's January 21, 2005 Season Three premiere. On four discs including never-before-seen bonus features, MONK: SEASON TWO is priced at $59.98 SRP.
Universal is proud to announce the highly anticipated DVD release of MIAMI VICE: SEASON ONE on February 8, 2005. This stylish and groundbreaking series revolutionized the television crime drama and launched a worldwide cultural phenomenon in fashion, architecture and music. Starring Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas and Emmy� winner Edward James Olmos, MIAMI VICE is executive produced by the dream-team of triple-Oscar� nominee Michael Mann (The Insider, Collateral) and Emmy� Award-winning producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order"). In addition to its trademark heart-pounding action, glamorous settings, and hip fashions, the first season of this series boasts memorable guest performances by the likes of Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Jimmy Smits, Ed O'Neill, John Turturro, Pam Grier, Dennis Farina and Eagles' singer Glenn Frey. It also features original music by Phil Collins, U2, Elvis Presley, Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, The Police, Glenn Frey and other pop superstars. The three-disc MIAMI VICE: SEASON ONE DVD, including 22 episodes plus loads of bonus materials, is priced to own at $59.98 SRP.
Who loves ya' baby? USHE of course -- that's why we're releasing KOJAK: SEASON ONE on DVD. This beloved series starring Telly Savalas as the lollipop-loving sleuth Lt. Theo Kojak makes its DVD debut on March 8, 2005. It boasts 22 exciting episodes of the Top-10 rated series about a brash, stylish, streetwise detective who battles criminals on the gritty streets of 1970s New York. Savalas won two Golden Globe� Awards for his unforgettable portrayal of the tough, wisecracking but compassionate cop. The multiple Emmy� -nominated hit, which People Magazine dubbed "a TV classic: slick, well-plotted and entertaining," also features memorable guest appearances by Harvey Keitel, James Woods, John Ritter and Dabney Coleman. The three-disc set is priced to own at $39.98 SRP.
Available for the first time ever on DVD on March 8, 2005, COLUMBO: SEASON TWO marks the return of everyone's favorite disheveled, cigar-chomping detective. Starring four-time Emmy� winner Peter Falk as the incomparably shrewd Lt. Columbo, this four-disc collection includes two episodes written by acclaimed television producer Steven Bochco ("NYPD Blue," "L.A. Law," "Hill Street Blues"). Guest stars include Robert Culp, Valerie Harper, Dean Stockwell, Leonard Nimoy and Martin Landau. Price is $39.98 SRP.
USHE has a treat in store for aficionados of classic television and 1970s pop culture: THE HARDY BOYS NANCY DREW MYSTERIES: SEASON ONE arrives on DVD March 22, 2005. Featuring '70s teen idols Shaun Cassidy, Parker Stevenson ("Baywatch") and Pamela Sue Martin ("Dynasty"), THE HARDY BOYS NANCY DREW MYSTERIES: SEASON ONE is on DVD for the first time ever. Based on the ever-popular young adult book franchises, this wholesome and entertaining series follows the exploits of multi-talented teen super-sleuths who can expertly investigate spooky mysteries -- and carry a tune. Shaun Cassidy performs the songs that made him a pop music sensation, including the hits "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "That's Rock 'N' Roll," and the series features appearances by guest stars including Mark Harmon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Crane and Rick Nelson. The two-disc set, which includes all 14 hour-long episodes of the first season, is priced at $39.98 SRP.
On March 29, 2005, Universal will bring one of television's most popular and acclaimed series to DVD with MURDER, SHE WROTE: SEASON ONE. Featuring 12-time Emmy� nominee and Golden Globe� winner Angela Lansbury as mystery writer-turned-super-sleuth Jessica Fletcher, MURDER, SHE WROTE was the highest-rated drama on TV for an unbelievable nine consecutive seasons. In addition to series regulars William Windom and Tom Bosley, Lansbury is joined by a veritable "Who's Who" of guest stars, including Jerry Orbach, Leslie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Andy Garcia, Martin Landau, Peter Graves, Milton Berle and many others. The three-disc set, which includes all 21 episodes from the unforgettable debut season, plus the pilot movie "The Murder of Sherlock Holmes," is priced at $49.98 SRP.
Thomas Magnum is back in action, when the second season of one of television's most popular series, MAGNUM P.I.: SEASON TWO, makes its DVD debut on April 12, 2005. Set in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and starring Tom Selleck as the charismatic, Ferrari-driving private eye, the three double-sided disc collection, featuring all 22 action-packed episodes, is priced at $49.98 SRP.
KNIGHT RIDER: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON arrives on DVD April 12, 2005 featuring lone crusader Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) and his tricked-out sidekick K.I.T.T. Believed to be dead and given a new face and identity, Detective Knight is assigned to fight crime with the help of an artificially intelligent talking supercar. KNIGHT RIDER: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON features 21 exciting episodes and is available to own on DVD for the first time ever at $49.98 SRP.
One of television's all-time greatest action-adventure series returns to DVD on April 12, 2005 with the release of THE A-TEAM: SEASON TWO. On the heels of last year's hit Season One DVD, THE A-TEAM: SEASON TWO features all 22 thrilling episodes from the highest-rated season of this Top 5 series about four wrongly convicted U.S. military commandoes who escape prison and vow to fight evil and for justice wherever it exists. This iconoclastic and heroic band of brothers features the inimitable Mr. T, one of television's most unique and popular superstars, in his most memorable role as Sgt. Bosco Albert "B.A." Baracus. Created by Stephen J. Cannell ("The Rockford Files," "21 Jump Street"), THE A-TEAM: SEASON TWO is priced at $49.98 SRP.
Also from USHE comes NORTHERN EXPOSURE: SEASON THREE on May 10, 2005. Reunite with the quirky, endearing citizens of Cicely, Alaska for the best NORTHERN EXPOSURE season yet. Nominated for an astonishing 16 Emmy� Awards and the winner of six, including Outstanding Drama Series, this is the must-own season of one of television's most original series. Packed with 23 hilarious and touching episodes and loaded with never-before-seen extras, there's never been a better time to own NORTHERN EXPOSURE on DVD. Priced at $59.98 SRP.
Fans of the extraordinary time-travel series QUANTUM LEAP have a third chance to bring home their favorite show on DVD. QUANTUM LEAP: SEASON THREE arrives on May 10, 2005 and delivers even more excitement with 22 unforgettable episodes of Dr. Sam Beckett's (Scott Bakula) extraordinary epoch-hopping personal transformations. Accompanied by his wisecracking holographic guide Al (Dean Stockwell), Sam never knows when, where or who he'll be next. Guest appearances include Tia Carrere, Josie Bissett and Patrick Warburton. Nominated for eight Emmy� Awards including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, QUANTUM LEAP: SEASON THREE is priced at $49.98 SRP.
Also coming to DVD this year is LAW & ORDER: SEASON THREE on May 17, 2005. The hugely popular franchise from executive producer Dick Wolf that is currently celebrating its 15th year in television. Featuring one of entertainment's most beloved actors, Jerry Orbach, in his first season on "Law & Order," the show also stars Chris Noth, Michael Moriarty, Richard Brooks, Steven Hill and Dann Florek in this crisply plotted, intriguing crime series. The LAW & ORDER: SEASON THREE DVD will be released just as this year's season finale airs on television, giving fans 22 gripping, ripped-from-the-headlines episodes to watch between seasons. Priced at $59.98 SRP.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
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