Perceptions sometimes get clouded by various rooting interests, and I saw a lot of "Dollhouse Season One is on top of Amazon pre-order list!" chatter, but didn't see anyone chiming in about Battlestar Galactica season 4.5. That's not particularly surprising when you consider that everyone knows BSG's fate, but a lot of fans of Dollhouse and lovers of all things Whedon are not sure what's in store for Dollhouse beyond the current order of 13 episodes.
Dollhouse - Season One came in second for the week among the TV show DVDs, in both sales in total units in its first week of release. Number one Battlestar Galactica - Season 4.5, also in its first week of release, bested Dollhouse by a wide margin. BSG sold over $5.5 million worth of DVDs on over 173,000 units, while Dollhouse sold $1.8 million on over 67,000 units.
If Dollhouse's chances for a back nine pickup or season 3 hinge on big DVD sales (and I'm not saying that they do), things don't look great after week one. The typical trend is that the first week's sales are the largest. For additional comparisons: Last week, Psych, in its first week sold over 69,000 units and earned $2.251 million. A couple of weeks ago Mad Men sold nearly 100,000 in its first week before falling out of the top 30 we see on a weekly basis. True Blood, sold over 500,000 units in its first week, and over 175,000 in its second week.
After falling out of the top 30 the previous week, True Blood climbed back in for the week ending August 2, with over 44,000 units and after 11 weeks of release has sold over $42 million worth on over 1.2 million units.
So far this year, only two DVD shows have earned more than $17 million in revenue. The aforementioned True Blood and 24, which has sold $17.6 million worth in 11 weeks.
Update: Sorry Torchwood fans! I forgot to include the data for Torchwood: Children of Earth either above or in the chart below. But it sold $601,944 worth on 41,542 units in its first week.
US TV Show DVD Sales for Week Ending August 2, 2009:
| Title | Units this week | %Change | Total Units | Sales this week | Total Sales | Weeks in Release |
| Battlestar Galactica Season 4.5 | 173,579 | - | 173,579 | $5,528,491 | $5,528,491 | 1 |
| Dollhouse - Season One | 67,226 | - | 67,226 | $1,826,333 | $1,826,333 | 1 |
| True Blood | 44,127 | ? | 1,220,896 | $1,679,474 | $42,302,985 | 11 |
| Psych- 3rd Season | 27,580 | -60.20% | 96,859 | $1,378,724 | $3,629,599 | 2 |
| Robot Chicken | 34,992 | -56.90% | 116,105 | $476,941 | $1,541,955 | 2 |
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Because of the way we see the data, I am not sure of the exact % change for True Blood week over week, but the prior week (week ending July 26) it sold around 12,000 units.
You can see past weekly lists of TV Show DVD Sales numbers here.
Source: the-numbers.com
I knew that Dollhouse would sell less than BSG, but it didn’t bother me as DH only needs to move a lot of units. If it did that then everything would (probably) be fine for the show and it’s fans.
As strictly a fan, I don’t know what expectations are or what level would need to be achieved to be considered a success, but these numbers definitely seem worrisome.
I still am wondering if they include the 5,000 ComicCon Exclusive DVD’s and BR’s sold directly by Fox. If those weren’t included then it makes the results a bit better looking, though not significantly so.
AO, I don’t think another $100,000 or so either way is very meaningful in this case.
My understanding is the data is gathered from a variety of sources and includes input both from retailers and the studios, but I have no idea whether the ComicCon DVDs were included.
i am watching BSG as we speak (from the BSG complete series box set – which is FRAKKING amazing btw)
that is all.
Are Canadian sales included in that number? Everyone I know bought their set from Amazon.ca because they offered the Blu-ray for around 22$.
Robert,
I know this may be asking a lot of the archives but would you still have the figures for Firefly’s DVD sales anywhere, and maybe even the Serenity movie, just to compare them with how Dollhouse’s DVD sales are currently doing?
@Samuray, the numbers are only for US Sales and do not include Canada or any other country outside the US. (edit: but I assume in the event that there were orders placed at amazon.ca that were shipped and billed to addresses the US — if that’s what you’re saying — would be counted).
Dave, unfortunately not. All we have access to is the-numbers.com, and their weekly charts only go back to Feb 2006 and I think Firefly was released on DVD in ~2003.
A couple of people have made the mistake of using the-numbers.com’s search feature to conclude Firefly grossed over two BILLION in revenue, but the way that feature works unfortunately is to add up the sales of every DVD the actors listed have been in (it only lists a few of the actors if I remember right).
I think its more meaningful though to compare Dollhouse’s (or ANY show’s) sales to how other TV show DVDs are selling now. If Dollhouse had sold 300,000 units, I’d be looking for a renewal announcement soon. Especially given past ratings, the first week sales strike me as more in the “enjoy the 13 episodes while they last” zone.
Thank you very much for the response Robert
I have heard that this was the first time that Fox ever tried anything like this program, so it’s not surprising that some of the details are unknown.
That is one of the reasons that I was interested in finding out more info. Since Fox sold these Sets directly to the public themselves, for full MSRP of $49.99 (2500 DVD) and $69.99 (2500 BR), then I would assume that they retained all or almost all of that nearly $300,000 generated.
If that was the case, then those Discs represent a fair amount of the overall revenue generated. Again, I know that no matter which is the case then this was not a good debut, but I find the subject interesting and I appreciate your allowing me to speculate on it.
Well, I did my part. I bought both DH and BSG. I think DH has promise – I’m only up to episode 5 now – so hopefully it won’t have a “sophomore slump,” but will instead improve. If it doesn’t, I’m not hopeful for anything more than the next 13.
I do love all the Firefly talk, having just become addicted to the series and the Serenity movie from all the chatter on this and other web sites. I never knew about the show when it was on – was in the seminary and TV time was a premium – so I watched ALIAS and Smallville and that was about all I could find time for. It’s too bad that series got cancelled. It was just SO GOOD and SO ENTERTAINING. The cast was FANTASTIC and the mix of characters on that ship/boat was simply GENIUS.
I was curious. I know that the likelihood of the series being resurrected is probably nil because it would be so difficult to resurrect the cast, but what about another feature film. Did “Serenity” the movie do well at the theater, or was is mediocre or I would hate to think, a dud. The movie was GREAT. I’m just not sure if the public responded or not. If you have any info. regarding Serenity’s $$, that would be interesting to note, especially in relation to other sci-fi movies of the recent past. I know it wouldn’t compare to the blockbusters, but I’m wondering how it compared to other more “midle popularity” sci-fi flicks.
Thanks guys, and keep up the GREAT work!
Peace, all!
Bought BSG. Waiting for the great Black Friday DVD sales to get Dollhouse & Psych.
Dollhouse’s renewal was unexpected, so the DVD might have legs and actually hang in there and not do the expected “the first week is always the biggest week in sales”. Who knows, but it’s just plain fun to watch and debate the show. I can deal with the fact that the Nielsen meters aren’t ticking off the charts for the show. I’m sure the show will last in fan fictiondom to infinity after these 13 possibly last episodes are aired.
Anybody have a clue how the 2nd season of Knots Landing did?
Dollhouse has always destroyed expectations! I am confident that the number of DVDs will continue to grow, grow, grow!
I have bought SO many copies of the DVD that I’ve lost count! I know for sure it’s more than twenty, because I use my fingers and toes to count that high, but after that, who knows?! Let’s see: I have a DVD playing at all times in my bedroom, obviously! And one in my kitchen! I have another DVD playing in the bathroom, for two reasons: one, because Joss came up with Dollhouse in the bathroom, which makes it the most awesome of all the rooms! And two because when I’m in the bathtub watching the DVD it’s like I’m naked with Joss and Eliza and all of them! Then I have another DVD playing in my car! Some people might think it’s unsafe to keep my eyes on the TV there instead of the road, but those people are fools! After all, I’ve only been in 3 accidents since getting that DVD player in my car!
As someone who wants to make sure the ratings grow, grow, grow, I’ve also bought LOTS of copies for other people! I made sure my local library has a copy! I sent all 2 of my friends a copy! I think it’s ideal to reach kids when they’re young, so I’ve tried approaching small children at playgrounds, but you’d be surprised to learn that sometimes their parents don’t like that! I’ve randomly left copies around outside, knowing that someone would come along and pick it up and go home and watch it and become a Joss fan for life! There are SO many places where a conscientious Joss fan can go to spread the word of Joss, and I’ve just begun the fight!
Dollhouse returns in 45 days! Watch it or else!
Dollhouse is one of those shows I can watch once and forget about it. On the other hand, I am snatching up the BSG DVDs as I see them in costco ($20-30 vs $50-60 at Best Buy). I like both shows, but BSG is the one I remember. Good for True Blood, though, I enjoy it every Sunday!
I feel it’s worth noting that 20th likes Whedon shows because they’re steady earners in the long run. I doubt if any of his shows have had DVD releases that were a smash success in the first week. But I’d put money down that the Dollhouse DVDs will continue to sell well (though indeed, probably not better) beyond the first week.
“I still am wondering if they include the 5,000 ComicCon Exclusive DVD’s and BR’s sold directly by Fox.”
It’s doubtful that 5,000 copies were sold. I’d estimate only 20% were bought online, no idea how many were actually purchased on the day at Comic Con.
Rick Holy Serenity was not a box office success, sadly. It was a great movie but the public just didn’t come out for it. I don’t have numbers but if its important to you I could probably find some for you. End result is it didn’t make enough to justify a sequel.
I am without a doubt a Browncoat, but I am not one of those that are living in the world of denial that thinks the show or a second movie is going to happen. Its not that Joss or the cast wouldn’t love to do it but the funding is never going to happen. I honestly wish it would, but realistically I know better. So instead I do my best to support the BDH current and future projects such as Dollhouse, Chuck, V, Goners and Castle.
Dollhouse really wasn’t doing well on amazon anyway, True blood was #1 at amazon for weeks before its release…it seemed like it would blow up. It needs to be pretty high on amazon or bn to have a major impact. It can’t be sitting at 20-30 ranking.
how do the sales for 24 Season 7 compare to previous seasons? this is the first season for the DVDs to be released right after airing, so i am curious how it compares.
Well compare Dollhouse to the CW last year offerings on DVD
1st week sales
Gossip Girls 92,196 units
One Tree Hill 97,239 units
Supernatural 104,979 units
Smallville 202,000 units
And what sales in units they were at when they fell off the list.
Gossip Girl 135,719
One Tree Hill 141,709
Supernatural 180,606
Smallville 336,760
When all of the CW offerings beat you, that can’t be that good (though in all fairness the CW does do better then many shows, probably due to the fact that parts of the country dont get the CW).
If it weren’t for Epitath I would believe that these rather small DVD sales would spell the end for the show. Now I’m not sure. That episode is a bit of a game changer.
Well its just one revenue source, but it is an important one (more important in dollar value then internet viewing and probably DVR viewing). And the other large revenue stream (overseas broadcasts) I don’t think have happened yet (though I coul dbe in error).