'Simpsons' Takes Two At First-Ever TV DVD Awards From Video Store Magazine

22-Oct-04

The complete fourth season of ""The Simpsons"" on DVD was named Best 1990s Series and Best Animated Series at the first-ever TV DVD Awards, presented last night in Century City, Calif. The irreverent Fox comedy was the only two-time winner at the awards, established by Video Store Magazine to recognize achievements in the DVD release of TV series. The boxed set, hailed for its colorful menus and wide assortment of extra features, was released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Other winners, selected by consumer vote from a field of 36 nominees in 12 categories: Best 1950s SeriesI Love Lucy: The Complete Second SeasonParamount Home EntertainmentBest British TV ReleaseThe OfficeBBC WorldwideBest 1960s SeriesStar Trek: The Original Series Season OneParamount Home EntertainmentBest Made-for-TV DocumentaryThe World at WarA&E Home VideoBest 1970s SeriesBattlestar Gallactica: The Complete Epic SeriesUniversal Studios Home VideoBest CompilationThe Ultimate Johnny Carson CollectionR2 EntertainmentBest 1980s SeriesThe Kids in the Hall: Complete Season OneA&E Home VideoBest Miniseries or TV MovieShogunParamount Home EntertainmentBest 2000s Series24 Season Two20th Century Fox Home EntertainmentBest Special Feature24 Season Two: ""Exposed Part One & Part Two"" featurette20th Century Fox Home EntertainmentIn addition, Image Entertainment and producer Paul Brownstein received a Best of Show Award for their five ""complete season"" sets of ""The Dick Van Dyke Show,"" and Carl Reiner received a TV DVD Lifetime Achievement Award. The TV DVD market is the fastest-growing segment of the DVD business; a recent report from Merrill Lynch projects consumers will spend $2.3 billion this year on buying their favorite TV shows on DVD, with subsequent annual gains averaging 30 percent. The awards were launched by Video Store Magazine, in cooperation with The Hollywood Reporter and DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, to honor the top TV DVD releases of the past year. Nominees were selected by a panel of film critics and DVD writers from a field of more than 150 entries submitted by studios and independent suppliers that offer TV DVD product. All TV DVD titles released in the United States between Sept. 1, 2003, and Aug. 31, 2004, were eligible. Judging criteria focused on the DVD treatment rather than the actual shows, from ease of navigation and menu design to packaging and bonus materials. Once the nominees were selected, consumers had three weeks in which to vote for their top picks. More than 10,000 votes were cast in the Internet survey, accessible through links on the Video Store Magazine Web site, the TV Shows on DVD Web site and dozens of TV show fan sites. Tony Orlando, whose hit 1970s variety show will be released on DVD early next year by R2 Entertainment, was master of ceremonies for the TV DVD Awards. The awards show was part of the second annual TV DVD Conference, also produced by Video Store Magazine with The Hollywood Reporter and DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.

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