With 2007 firmly behind us, we're all looking forward to future DVD releases. 2007 saw Season 1 being released in Region 1 (USA & Canada), we hope to see Season 2 & 3 being released this year. But so far, almost 7 months after first hearing of a R1 release and 5 months after the DVD hit North American stores, international fans have no word on if or when they will see any 8 Simple Rules DVDs.

What do we know?

So far no news has hit any DVD news site which reports on the U.K. market, we try to keep up with the entire Region 2 market and more, but we can't follow everything.

No DVD information has hit any UK, French, German or Australian retailers.

Buena Vista has not submit 8 Simple Rules for official classification in the United Kingdom, Ireland or Australia.

We've tried to contact Buena Vista Home Entertainment U.K but its very hard to actually get a response - we did contact B.V.H.E France a while ago and at that point in time, we were told there were no plans to release 8 Simple Rules.

And then there is past experience, in the U.K. market some U.S. sitcoms have not gone down well at all. Home Improvement and The Golden Girls (also released by B.V.H.E) are currently in limbo in the U.K, after releases stopped at Season 3, although Season 4 has been classified by the BBFC & releases have now continued elsewhere in Europe & Australasia. Roseanne, Cheers and Frasier, are also other US sitcoms that haven't fared well this side of the pond, with releases being halted - in some cases indefinitely.

What are the chances of a release?

Right now, no release is planned internationally and Season 2 hasn't even been officially announced in North America (this could be one reason why we have not heard anything on International DVDs), there are two main arguments as to why a DVD might not happen at all - poor sales for similar series in the past and the fact 8 Simple Rules continues to air across Europe on TV (although it is off-air in the U.K. now), making a DVD quite unattractive.

So while we can hope for releases, until we hear anything, it's worth being cautious. I would strongly advise not buying any bootleg DVDs which offer all 3 seasons or similar, wherever you are, but those with multiregion DVD players can always import the Region 1 DVD (but bear in mind it won't have as many subtitles as most Europeans are accustomed to) - but for most people, thats not a possibility, so the wait continues.