The capability of the DVD medium to include complete season runs of TV series in one compact package is going to be increasingly important to retailers as the medium matures. Season-long compilations of cult series like The Simpsons and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have already appeared on DVD, and now Star Trek: The Next Generation is going to appear in boxed set collections covering the entire series.  Each season of ST:TNG will come in a burnished metallic box containing seven disks. The Season 1 Box includes all 26 first season episodes along with four newly created documentaries exclusive to the DVD release, and will be released in March.  A new season of Next Generation disks will be released every other month.  The entire series will be presented in newly remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound.   Paramount is not setting a suggested retail price for box sets, but the studio expects the Season 1 collector's set to retail for under $100.

 

Star Trek: The Next Generation is currently featured on the revamped TNN cable network, while Enterprise, the latest Star Trek series is appearing in its first run on the UPN network.  Enterprise has done surprisingly well in the ratings (see 'Enterprise and Buffy Ratings Strong') and given the entire Star Trek franchise a shot in the arm.  A new Next Generation motion picture is in production and should be in theaters by the end of 2002.  Meanwhile Paramount has begun to release elaborate DVD editions of previous Star Trek films (see 'Star Trek The Motion Picture: Director's Cut DVD'). 

 

Paramount is not re-releasing any of the Next Generation episodes on VHS.  All of them have been released previously and the sheer number (180+) of these videotapes made handling them a nightmare for all but the most dedicated Star Trek retailer.  With the advent of the DVD box set, the sku count for retailers is reduced to seven, and storage problems for consumers are reduced tenfold.  In addition, the Next Generation Season 1 Collector's set has lots of extras for the fans including four new documentaries.  The first of which, aptly titled The Beginning, focuses on the creation of the series and includes interviews with Gene Roddenberry, Patrick Stewart, Rick Berman, Jonathan Frakes, and others.  Other features include a documentary in which the principal actors all discuss their roles, an in-depth look at the makeup and visual effects used in the series, and a discussion by cast and crew of their most memorable missions.