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The Ed Sullivan Show DVD Sells 100,000 Units

March 13, 2007 | Video
To get a sense of the value of historical musical performances, consider what Andrew Solt has made of the archive of “The Ed Sullivan Show.” As a director and producer of rock documentaries, Mr. Solt kept returning to the Sullivan archives to license footage from Mr. Sullivan’s family, which owned the rights to the program under the terms of Mr. Sullivan’s deal with CBS.

Mr. Solt’s licensing costs became so expensive that he inquired about buying the rights to the show, which he did in 1990, for a price said to be below $10 million. “I paid every penny I had to lawyers and borrowed all the money from a bank,” he said. “I would wake up at night and say, ‘What did I do?’ ”

But it seems that Mr. Solt got a very good deal. He has used the material in the archives to produce television specials and DVDs, but he said that the most valuable material is the musical performances, including historical appearances by Elvis Presley and the Beatles.

He has released a DVD featuring the Beatles’ performances on the show, which he said has sold 200,000 copies; last fall, he released a similar Elvis package that he said has already sold 100,000 copies; and he licensed the material for “Ed Sullivan’s Rock ’n’ Roll Classics,” a box set distributed by Rhino, a subsidiary of Warner Music.
Source:Elvis Information Network

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FJE wrote on March 13, 2007
Goes to show what can be achieved when a genuine product is given the best treatment possible with regards to content and packaging which in my opinion could not be bettered on this release. So Mr. Solt, how about acquiring the rights to the Dorsey, Sinatra and Milton Berle Shows and have them released in a similar package? I'm waiting!
Rob V wrote on March 13, 2007
.....And The Steve Allen Shows as well.
Mystery Rider wrote on March 15, 2007
i have to say this one great set, if you dont own it get, if you cant afford take a 2nd mortage on your home, but in any event buy it.
SPK wrote on March 15, 2007
Absolutely great set! Please get us the rest of the TV shows - Berle, Dorsey, Allen... Thanks and God Bless.
curtrsim wrote on March 15, 2007
I still havn't gottin mine yet but i hope so soon.