Due on Blu: SoHo Heroes

Sky’s showcasing of HBO product on its new SoHo channel isn’t delaying the release of key series on Blu-ray.

Often Blu-ray buyers in this territory are disadvantaged by boadcaster holdbacks on series that can’t be released on disc until clearance from licence holders TVNZ or MediaWorks.

That can lead to delays if a show is pulled mid-run and not rescheduled for months.

Cases in point: Human Target (which ends Friday), and seasons two and four of V and Chuck while Nikita’s no closer to coming out on Blu-ray, despite being released in the US five months ago and across the Tasman in November.

Fears of Sky wanting a holdback on top shows because of its costly investment in SoHo happily aren’t being realised.

A couple of comedies, like Eastbound and Down and season two of Bored to Death, have been delayed until after they’ve aired on SoHo.

But not so big guns like Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones, The Killing and Treme.

Empire came out last month, Thrones and Killing bow on March 7 and season two of Treme on April 4 (which also is when season one of How to Make It in America is due).

Thrones’ extras will include Complete Guide to Westeros, Making Game of Thrones, character profiles, Creating the Show Opening, From the Book to the Screen, The Night’s Watch, Creating the Dothraki, In-episode Guide, Anatomy of an Episode, audio commentaries, and Hidden Dragon Eggs.

Next month Warner Home Video also will release on Blu-ray the mini-series Mildred Pierce, along with DVDs of HBO movies You Don’t Know Jack, Temple Grandin, Grey Gardens and Into the Storm.