Release the DVD, Give Me Catch Up Time

There are a lot of TV shows that I watch, as I am sure most of you do as well.  But, most of us are only going to try a few new shows every year.  Also, some shows might not sound that intriguing but then become so popular we have to give it a shot.  Obviously, there are ways to catch up on certain shows now with the Hulu's and the recent episodes available on broadcast sites, but what if you miss an entire season.  What if you start in the 3rd or 4th season of a show and want to catch up in the offseason? 

For example, I started watching 24 in the fourth season of its existence.  After a couple of episodes, I decided that I needed to see the initial seasons before going further with season four.  I went and bought one at a time and went through the seasons pretty quickly and decided I would get the fourth season of 24 on DVD as well and pick up with the TV again in the 5th.  One problem.  The 5th season premiered before the release of the 4th season DVD!  How could this be?!  So, from then on I only watched 24 on DVD and never watched it unfold on TV. 

Fast forward to this year.  I am a season behind on Bones and the season has began and will be three or four episodes into the new one before the 5th season will be released on DVD.  I was overseas last year and unable to view season five.  I know this is not a show that you HAVE to see in order, but there are little side stories and I don't want to be that far behind on them and be watching the current season.  Surely there are others that feel the same way.  The season ended back in May what is the hold up in offering these seasons.  Plus decent DVD sales do not keep a show on the air, the networks need people watching the shows on time.  They could gain viewers in the middle of a series' life if they got the DVD's out and on sale with enough time for the consumer to watch them and be ready for the future season!  Is this really that hard to think of?  I know some series, like Glee try to do this and the network tries harder early in the season's life thinking it can still attract viewers but they could do the same with other shows and it would not hurt at all.  Let me know how you feel and if this has been a problem for you!