Exclusive: Hit Entertainment on UK Blu-ray question

Hit Entertainment have revealed the reason behind the lack of Blu-rays for the UK.

2011 brought the first high-def release for Britain with the Day of the Diesels double play but remained the singular story met with the treatment.

The US has continued its collection of feature-length specials on HD disc from Misty Island Rescue up to September's Tale of the Brave triple play from Universal Home Entertainment.

Roll Along Thomas talked with Hit in the spring to find out about the lack of future UK Blu-rays.

We release content in formats that best suit the needs of our fans and consumers. We therefore have no plans to release Blu-ray formats in the United Kingdom.

'Dinos & Discoveries' DVD and two new episodes due

New episodes and a DVD are to appear in the next year with the arrival of tie-in books.

The origins of the Dinos & Discoveries book double with Emily Saves the World are unveiled for a DVD release of the same name.

One of Random House's next books for January comes in the form of Thomas and the Volcano. Its artwork of Millie and Thomas places them against a backdrop of a dinosaur and an erupting volcano.

Teasing, As seen on DVD! Dinos & Discoveries, its summary tells more; Thomas and his friends see a volcano in the new Dinosaur Park! Could it erupt?

Boys who love trains will thrill to this Step into Reading adventure, featuring a shiny foil cover and two sheets of stickers, and based on an episode from the newest Thomas & Friends DVD release, Dinos & Discoveries!.

Another title due on the same date is Thomas and the Dinosaur, sharing the same themed setting.

Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend Percy are startled and scared to see a dinosaur in the forest! Train and dinosaur obsessed boys will get a double thrill from this Thomas & Friends Little Golden Book.

The three Dinos & Discoveries books from Random House hit US book shelves on January 6th 2015.

PRE-ORDER THE 'DINOS & DISCOVERIES' BOOKS FROM AMAZON.COM

DINOS & DISCOVERIES/EMILY SAVES THE WORLD

THOMAS AND THE VOLCANO

THOMAS AND THE DINOSAUR

Thanks to SteamTeam for the alert.

'Tale of the Brave' songs and extras on US DVD/Blu-ray

The content due to feature on the Tale of the Brave US DVD/Blu-ray has been revealed.

The first foray for Thomas & Friends on home video by Universal Studios Home Entertainment will come in a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack with Ultraviolet digital copy included for mid September.

A week prior will give US fans the chance to see the special early in digital HD on iTunes.

For extra content, two new music videos of Tale of the Brave and Monsters Everywhere are joined by four rounds of puzzles with Guess Who?.

Tale of the Brave: The Movie from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Hit Entertainment hits US iTunes digital on September 9th and on DVD/Blu-ray shelves on September 16th.

'Tale of the Brave' US DVD/Blu-ray date confirmed

Tale of the Brave: The Movie's DVD/Blu-ray release date for the US has been confirmed.

The standard and high definition combo is scheduled for a mid September outing, according to VideoETA.

It leaves America the third country to receive the special after Australia's world premiere screenings and Britain's cinema date and DVD.

A second trailer showing more scenes from the action adventure tread online last week.

Tale of the Brave: The Movie hits US DVD/Blu-ray shelves on September 16th.

Second 'Tale of the Brave' movie trailer debuts online

The second trailer for Tale of the Brave: The Movie has been released by Hoyts.

The new minute-long trail adds more scenes from the 2014 special with voices from the UK dub heard.

Primarily focusing on the action, newcomers including Timothy and classics such as Bill and Ben appear.

Highlights involve a few rockslides, a freak accident for an engine and the return of an old location last seen in the Ninth Series.

Australia will once again play host to a special's world premiere with a month's worth of cinema screenings. Vue are to follow suite in the UK while the aforementioned and the US await DVD releases in September.

Tale of the Brave: The Movie arrives for its world premiere in Australia at Hoyts cinemas from July 19th to August 19th.

WATCH THE NEW 'TALE OF THE BRAVE' TRAILER FROM HOYTS

'The Complete Series 15' bargain pre-orders at ASDA

ASDA have launched special pre-orders for The Complete Series 15 DVD in the UK.

The collector's edition of the full 2011 season is to arrive in the country in less than three weeks time for July.

ASDA's direct store have in anticipation placed pre-orders of the disc for a bargain price of £4.

Happy Hiro and Henry's Happy Coal meanwhile mark their debuts on UK DVD for the first time.

The summary reads; All 20 episodes from the 15th series of the children's animation following tank engine Thomas and his locomotive pals on Sodor Island.

In this series, the trains compete to become the 'Sodor Search and Rescue Engine' and Thomas and Bertie encounter some trouble on the Shake Shake Bridge.

The Complete Series 15 from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on July 7th.

PRE-ORDER 'THE COMPLETE SERIES 15' FROM ASDA DIRECT

Season 13 and 14 stories in fifth Awesome Adventures

Two episodes from the modern era are to appear on Hit Entertainment's next brands DVD.

For the UK, Mighty Messes is the fifth volume in the Awesome Adventures collection.

Four of Hit's shows including Thomas and two episodes from the 13th and 14th Seasons fill the 84 minute feature.

Episodes include;

Thomas & Friends in

Thomas and Scruff and Splish Splash Splosh.

Fireman Sam in

To Outfox a Fox and Stuck in the Muck.

Bob the Builder in

Start from Scratch and Super Scrambler.

Mike the Knight in

The Flying Corgis and The Big Swap.

It follows a similar version seen on US DVD in June 2013 instead opting for two Season 13 episodes.

Awesome Adventures: Mighty Messes from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on July 21st.

PRE-ORDER THE 'AWESOME ADVENTURES: MIGHTY MESSES' DVD FROM AMAZON.CO.UK

Thanks to Hawk01 for the alert.

Exclusive: Hit explains UK and US DVD format changes

Hit Entertainment have revealed the reasons behind format changes to recent DVD releases.

2014 saw a shift in focus with the brand's DVDs, reflecting the TV series' fresh continuation in Season 17.

In late January in the UK, The Thomas Way's associating credits were removed in between episodes, allowing a better flow through its feature.

In March, rumours proved true when Spills & Thrills became the first regular US DVD to be presented in widescreen, continuing with Trouble on the Tracks.

On the now popular changes, Hit spoke with Roll Along Thomas about the initiatives, starting with the US.

As most TV households have televisions that show programing optimally in widescreen, we are pleased to offer Thomas & Friends in a widescreen format that best showcases our content.

Their answer also applied to the UK market; We work closely with our distributor to release content in formats that best suit the needs of our fans and consumers.

Last week saw Universal Studios Home Entertainment announced as the successors to Lionsgate Entertainment, distributing future US DVD releases beginning in October. 

'The Complete Series 15' UK DVD receives front cover

The Complete Series 15's cover for UK DVD has been published by amazon.co.uk.

Coming three years after its first broadcast, the full 2011 season will arrive as a single disc release in July.

The cover takes a step back from Series 14's instead opting for an orange colour as opposed to a blue cloudy sky background.

A shot of Thomas, used for this May's Really Useful Collection, is placed on the artwork.

An approximate 200 minute duration is applied featuring all 20 episodes. A Complete Series 16 is confirmed to follow.

The Complete Series 15 from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on July 7th. 
 

PRE-ORDER 'THE COMPLETE SERIES 15' DVD FROM AMAZON.CO.UK

Universal Home Entertainment takeover US DVD range

Universal Studios Home Entertainment have been announced as the new distributors for future US DVDs.

The deal, announced today, with Hit Entertainment will oversee new releases made by Universal taking into effect from October 1st.

Tale of the Brave's DVD is among the new titles to be helmed by the studio, set for a fall 2014 dating. 

The takeover ends Lionsgate Entertainment's tenure as distributors after an eventual six year stint. Hit's other brands such as Barney & Friends, Pingu and Kipper are part of the move. 

Universal Home Entertainment's President, Eddie Cunningham, spoke of the initiative.

Pairing Hit's superior entertainment properties with Universal's formidable home sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure effectively positions our companies for an enduring and prosperous collaboration.

Hit's Vice President of The Americas, Sid Marthur, gave his thoughts; With its strong expertise in content distribution, we are thrilled to partner with Universal to distribute and market Hit's preschool franchises in North America.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE FROM NEWSWIRE

Exclusive: UK Series 18 air in 2014 and 'Tracks' in 2015

The 18th Season is on course to be broadcast on British television later this year.

Hit Entertainment's tenth series of the show at the helm, heading for the US in the autumn, is set to be on Channel 5 milkshake! sometime in 2014.

The plans were confirmed by the makers to Roll Along Thomas, as was a DVD release for the British version of Trouble on the Tracks.

In the UK, Series 18 will broadcast on Channel 5’s milkshake later on this year with Trouble on the Tracks being released on DVD in 2015.

Mark Moraghan and Teresa Gallagher both tweeted recently about their recording sessions for the run of new episodes.

Thomas & Friends' 18th season marks its network premiere on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK later this year, with Trouble on the Tracks coming soon to DVD in 2015.

'Tale of the Brave: The Movie' UK DVD date confirmed

Tale of the Brave: The Movie's DVD release date has been confirmed for the United Kingdom.

As announced, 2014's coming attraction will appear on home video in the country on the first day of the month.

Its cover adopts the US' version, glimpsed at New York's Toy Fair in February. A 68 minute run time is applied to the disc.

Hit Entertainment revealed their intention for Tale's DVD and extras along with a new Christmas US DVD to Roll Along Thomas earlier this month.

The blurb reads; Thomas and his friends face their fears in their boldest adventure yet! After a monstrous storm on the Island of Sodor, a landslide unearths some very unusual footprints.

Thomas and Percy are eager to find out what could have made these marks but obstacles and danger seem to appear around every bend in the track.

With the help of new friends, a little digging, and a heap of courage, they discover the surprising answer and, along the way, uncover the true meaning of bravery. 

Tale of the Brave: The Movie from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on September 1st.

PRE-ORDER THE 'TALE OF THE BRAVE: THE MOVIE' DVD FROM AMAZON.CO.UK

'Really Useful Collection' DVD boxset cover published

Play.com have published the cover art for the UK's Really Useful Collection DVD set.

The collection of existing titles Thomas in Charge!, Up, Up & Away! and Rescue on the Rails is heading for a late May arrival.

Its front artwork shows a new promo shot of Thomas, similar to another used for the Hero of the Rails release.

Episodes involve the 13th to 15th Seasons coupled with Watch with Mr. Perkins, songs and other extras.

Really Useful Collection from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on May 26th.
 

PRE-ORDER THE 'REALLY USEFUL COLLECTION' DVD SET FROM PLAY.COM

Exclusive: New Christmas DVD coming to US in October

A new forthcoming DVD release is to head to the United States for the Autumn.

The as-of-yet named title will feature Christmas themed episodes, although it is unknown if it would be related to the 18th Series.

A representative from Hit Entertainment confirmed the plans to Roll Along Thomas.

In the US, we recently released two episodic titles on March 4, Spills & Thrills which includes six never-before-seen episodes and Railway Mischief.

Trouble on the Tracks [was] released on April 8 exclusively at Walmart. This autumn, we are thrilled to offer our new movie Tale of the Brave on DVD and digital download followed by an all-new Christmas themed DVD in October.

The studio also reaffirmed minor details for Tale of the Brave's DVD; Tale of the Brave will introduce new engines and characters and an exciting new destination on the Island of Sodor.

The DVD will have some bonus features, which are still to be announced.

'The Complete Series 15' coming to UK DVD in July

The Complete Series 15 has been confirmed for release on UK DVD in the summer.

The 15th run of the TV series will be gathered together for completists on one disc in July.

Its date was revealed by the Thomas & Friends UK facebook, to come almost a year after the previous volume of Season 14 episodes.

Asked by a fan on the possibility of further Complete Series releases, the page responded with the intention for more.

Complete Series 15 out 7th July 2014 and Complete Series 16 out date TBC. The Thomas Team.

First airing in the UK in March 2011, the series was panned by fans as the worst in the show's history.

The Complete Series 15 from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on July 7th.

'Trouble on the Tracks' release date reverts to original

The Trouble on the Tracks US DVD from Walmart is to be released on its original date.

The Season 18 preview disc, to be exclusively available by the consumer, was presumed to have been pushed back to April 15th last month.

It has instead reverted back to its original date by a week, albeit its shipping time, mirroring its iTunes download version.

New episodes Thomas the Quarry Engine, Not So Slow Coaches, Flatbeds of Fear, Disappearing Diesels and Toad's Adventure are confirmed to appear.

Trouble on the Tracks from Lionsgate Entertainment hits US DVD shelves in Walmart stores only at the new date of April 8th.

PRE-ORDER THE 'TROUBLE ON THE TRACKS' DVD FROM WALMART

Thanks to Bass Tbone for the alert.

'Tale of the Brave' movie trailer UK version previewed

The British version of Tale of the Brave's trailer has been previewed on a UK DVD release.

The UK's teaser appears on the Spills & Thrills DVD out now today, carrying the same visuals seen in the US trailer.

The regional voice cast of Ben Small, Keith Wickham, Steven Kynman and Matt Wilkinson however replace certain US dialects.

In January, the American and debut trailer for the film was released, offering the first sights of Gator, Marion, Timothy and Reg in the film.

Tale of the Brave: The Movie is coming soon to UK DVD and US Blu-ray in September.

WATCH THE 'TALE OF THE BRAVE' UK TRAILER ON YOUTUBE 

'Thomas in Charge!' DVD to arrive for late Australia

Animated Series DVD Thomas in Charge! is to make way for a late release in Australia.

The disc originally holding two Season 13 and 14 episodes each is to head Down Under almost three years after the US' and two years after the UK's debuts.

To compensate, A Blooming Mess, Henry's Good Deeds, Thomas in Charge and O the Indignity are joined by the non-released Birthday Express' episodes Double Trouble and Percy's Parcel.

The summary reads; Thomas and his friends are preparing for the Railway Inspectors visit to Knapford Station. But when the coal trucks crash covering Gordon in soot, can Thomas take charge and help straighten out the mess?

Thomas in Charge! from ABC for Kids hits Australian DVD shelves on June 11th.

PRE-ORDER THE 'THOMAS IN CHARGE!' DVD FROM EZYDVD

UK 'Spills & Thrills' preview clips released on minisite

The remaining episodes of Season 17 for the UK have been previewed on the Thomas & Friends website.

Ahead of the country's DVD launch for next week is the Spills & Thrills minisite UK edition. It coincides with the now released HD iTunes version of the release.

As with the US', two minigames and colouring pages are available alongside previews of the yet for broadcast episodes.

Seen is a trailer and clips from Away from the Sea, No More Mr. Nice Engine, The Afternoon Tea Express, The Smelly Kipper and Thomas' Shortcut, with Gone Fishing however omitted.

Spills & Thrills from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on March 31st.

VISIT THE 'SPILLS & THRILLS' UK MINISITE ON THE THOMAS & FRIENDS WEBSITE

Lionsgate previews Season 18 'The Quarry Engine' clip

Lionsgate Entertainment have released a teaser clip from the 18th Series on YouTube.

Promoting the Walmart Trouble on the Tracks US DVD, the second preview of the 2014 season presents the opening to Thomas the Quarry Engine.

It shows Thomas and Diesel debating on who should be the back engine to a quarry load for Brendam Docks.

Arriving at Ffarquhar Quarry, a busy Mavis obliges to taking the load with Thomas. But Diesel's ideas get the better of Thomas, leaving him to do Mavis' work on his own.

With Arry, Bert, Stanley and the Trucks cameoing, Mavis is seen with a fixed brass lamp. Not So Slow Coaches, Flatbeds of Fear, Disappearing Diesels and Toad's Adventure are the other four episodes appearing on the DVD.

Despite being pushed back for a week, its availability on iTunes is still scheduled for April 8th.

Trouble on the Tracks from Lionsgate Entertainment hits US DVD shelves in Walmart stores only on April 15th.

WATCH THE OPENING TO 'THOMAS THE QUARRY ENGINE' ON YOUTUBE