Dr Who, Reginald Perrin and the Two Ronnies are among the characters who will relaunch the BBC into the home video market in the wake of a 18-month agreement between the corporation and unions representing actors, writers and musicians. Prior to the new agreement the BBC video catalogue was restricted to certain sporting and musical events, documentaries and a small selection of old films.
The new titles are — The Best of the Two Ronnies, Butterflies, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin and Dr Who (Revenge of the Cybermen).
According to BBC research, 85 per cent of video cassettes used in the home are rented. That accounts for about 4.5 million transactions a week and makes the rental cassette market worth about £400m a year. The videos would be expected to be popular in the rental market although they will also be available for sale.
The first four titles will be available from October 10 and three or four will be released each month over the coming 18 months. In November Grange Hill, Ripping Yarns, The Good Life and Blue Peter Makes will be released which will be followed in December by Target, The Goodies and the Beanstalk and Top of the Pops (based on 15 performances by groups on the programme during 1982).
The corporation which has launched its titles under the banner Video Tasties is also making plans to sell its video products overseas.
The corporation has not disclosed the precise selling price of the videos they are expected to retail for £30 to £35.
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