DiC: Buena Vista Preventing AoStH and SatAM DVD Releases

The mystery surrounding the troubled development of the Sonic the Hedgehog SatAM DVDs continues, after a representative from production company DIC has reportedly revealed that Disney's Buena Vista group is preventing further home releases of both SatAM and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

According to a new report from Sonique Hedgehog (posted on Sonic HQ), Buena Vista is claiming ownership of the rights of both 1990s Sonic the Hedgehog cartoons, which is holding up any agreement on DVD releases from happening.

Previously, Sonique laid the blame at SEGA's door, so this would be an interesting new development if Disney is suddenly getting involved.

Sonic Underground is still on its way for a home video release, as its production or syndication was never associated with either Buena Vista or Disney. However, the DIC representative was said to have expressed that the company is doing everything in its power to release AoStH and SatAM DVDs, so there may be some hope yet.

We've included the full text from Sonique's latest update below (edited for spelling and grammar):

Quote

Sonmanic (some of you know him) just posted this on my site:

--------------

JUST GOT OFF PHONE WITH SOME INTERESTING NEWS!

OK, after I was transferred a few times, I spoke with this British woman that's in charge of distribution. Sonic Underground is being released first, 'cause it was produced [by] a low budget company that worked with DiC. There's a possibility that SatAM WILL be released sometime after Sonic Underground, cause DiC is trying to resolve this issue with Third Party Rights.

And what are the Third Party Rights?

Well, after a few minutes of building a steady [rapport] with this woman, she spilled the beans about who is preventing them from releasing AoStH and SatAM. Ever heard of a company called Buena Vista?

That's right, Disney's little company is holding back the release, since DiC released the first DVD without their consent. The other issue is that DiC transferred to a different distribution company from Lions Gates to DVDtoons. It's a company that was just started, so theres nobody to talk to yet.

Now this you will find a shock too - since SatAM had 26 episodes, it was going to be released as a box set. So rest assured people, DiC isn't the enemy, its Buena Vista 'cause they're claiming rights on [the] show when it was affiliated with Disney.

The only piece of optimism this woman gave me was that they are doing everything in their power to release AoStH and SatAM. Surprising enough, she said DiC's been getting a lot of responses regarding SatAM, so we might have a chance still. Here is that website she told me about. http://www.dvdtoons.com/

I'm glad I was able to solve this mystery

--------------

Well he did what several other FUSers (including me) could not, which is get info on this damn third party, so we all owe him a HUGE thank you. Now, here's their website

http://bventertainment.go.com/

I'm not sure if writing to these people (or Disney) will actually help, since it's a corporate matter. They don't care much about individuals >.< But for those who want to see this box set, it certainly can't hurt. As for the SU DVDs, it's a way to show Disney that they [should] actually release a whole Sonic series to the public, and hopefully that'll get the [ball] rolling with Disney. So as much as I hate to say it, BUY THE SU DVDs and help support SatAM when they come out. That is all ^_^;