I've also wondered why this hasn't happened, since there is a ready mass market, so I checked into the reasons. It seems that ITV do intend to release it but the problem is getting permission from the owners of the various songs used in the soundtrack.

They don't seem to have a problem releasing these songs on compilation CDs, so I wonder what different rights and permissions are required for a DVD release.

So, it might be a while, before Heartbeat fans can buy the series on DVD.

The Cat wrote:
I've also wondered why this hasn't happened, since there is a ready mass market, so I checked into the reasons. It seems that ITV do intend to release it but the problem is getting permission from the owners of the various songs used in the soundtrack.

They don't seem to have a problem releasing these songs on compilation CDs, so I wonder what different rights and permissions are required for a DVD release.


This is a very frustrating problem in the UK that has prevented the release of many shows on DVD. Its all down to rather complex and costly copyright clearances which the rest of the world sewem to have no problem with.

Using music shows for example, when Marc Bolan's 1977 series "Marc" was released on DVD in the UK, all you got was Marc's performances. Nothing of his musical guests, so the shows were heavily edited. Yet in Japan, they have a DVD set containing all the shows uncut and as broadcast. They can't be released complete in the UK but can almost anywhere else in the world.

The BBC have faced this problem a few times. Recently they released the first 4 series of "Grange Hill" on DVD. Unfortunately, edits were made to them. Scenes that contained copyrighted music were simply snipped out!

Its a farcical situation. Many want to see complete editions of "Top Of The Pops" on DVD, but there is absolutely no chance this will happen under the current climate.

It can also depend on whether the raw materials have survived or not for a program. A couple of 1980's editions of "Doctor Who" featured copyrighted music but these ended up being replaced for the DVDs because they had access to original tapes featuring just the dialogue making it possible to redub the necessary scenes.

So, "Heartbeat" I would guess would be a legal nightmare and in fact it would cost so much to clear everything that the released product would probably never make a profit to make the venture worthwhile.

Interestingly licensing fees can also be pricey. Bands who want to issue a DVD of TV appearances for example have to pay the BBC

If a snippet of my music was used in a TV show which was then to be released on DVD, I'd be quite happy to just be given credit at the end. It can only help to further promote an artist, and is much better than getting zero publicity from the DVD never being released. I'm sure there must be other artists who feel the same.

Hopefully, one day, common sense will prevail. However, I won't hold my breath.