by kthulhu » Sun Jan 19, 2003 3:24 am
Well, I'm not so sure about the PAL TV part, since Region 2 also includes Japan (which is definitely NTSC).
Anyhow, perhaps the anime companies need to be more proactive in their licensing? Considering that many good fansub groups have a two week (at most, and typically shorter) turnaround time from TV capture to Internet distribution, releasing a series months (years?) after fansub release is not a smart business idea, if fansubs do cut into profits that much.
Distro rights may have to be worked out even before the series airs in Japan, or right after, and distribution preparation would need to be sped up. If people are downloading subbed series, and it's hurting a company that much financially, then they need to release a sub only DVD, ASAP. A dub can be done later if sales look good, or as part of a special edition. Arrange for shelf space with Sam Goody, Best Buy, video rental stores, places like that.
Basically, for a while now, the anime distribution industry has had something of a monopoly, and has been lazy. The Internet (which allows for real time collaboration, as well as distribution) is changing that, and the anime distro companies need to adjust accordingly.
I'm out...