Next Mutation Theme Replaced
 

So a few months back I bought a DVD of that show for my nephew, and when we watched it the theme song was changed. Same thing happened when I went to watch it on Netflix. Was there some issue with the rights to the original song or something?

Probably...

Yeah, someone here will know the exact details but basically Saban somehow retained the music rights to TNM. Even the background music has been swapped out.

I used to have the region 2 UK series set, and it had the original music. Only difference being, they couldn't say ninja in the theme song, even though it was still titled Ninja Turtles rather than Hero Turtles on the DVD.

So it was: Na na na na na na, Hero Turtles

Instead of: Na na na na ninja, Ninja Turtles

Yea, after the show ended Saban retained the rights so Netflix created its own intro and they used it for the DVDs because Saban still didn't want to give it up. I think there are some DVDs that still have the old theme, maybe a VHS is they had any of that show. (also I think your thinking about the UK dub of the intro, there are 3 versions)

You mean Disney, right? Because Saban is who currently owns the show after buying it back with the rest of the Saban library from Disney and I doubt they'd have any issues with using music they own in a show they own.

I mean whoever retains the rights to the original NTTNM theme

Not just the theme song, but at least the 1st episode has at least 1 edit I know of. My favorite riff, "But the rat had a stick..." is removed. Not sure what might be excised from later episodes as the only reason I know of this edit is because of my East Meets West "movie" VHS tape.

I hate it when they make these kind of edits, legally necessary or not, because they create weird versions that float around for years. Even once (if) they’ve solved the rights issues, you still get the crap versions on TV, or DVD due to screw-ups, or budget, or general indifference.

That one is a devastating loss, considering how little else there is in that series to appreciate. :tlol:

The thing is Saban had a music label and which he never got rid of when he sold Saban Entertainment to Disney, this is why the Disney seasons could never use any sound effects or music from the pre-Disney era since they'd have to pay Saban. Shortly after he bought Power Rangers (and other Saban shows) back from Disney he decided to sell it oddly enough but based on what we've seen with Power Rangers he was able to keep the rights or license the PR themes/music but he did apparently lose all the other rights.

Because of that TNM not only got a new intro but also all the background music was replaced in all 26 episodes. Any DVD releases with the old background music and intro are from the Disney era and all Saban releases since he bought the rights back have had the new music. Shout! Apparently messed up big time while including the old theme song in the menu for the first volume of TNM on DVD but in the actual episodes it was nowhere to be found.

I agree that it sucks, the new theme is not too bad but the original theme was probably the best thing fromt he show, cheesy but fun. As far as the background music I can't comment since I've never heard the new version but I don't really recall liking or even remembering any memorable tracks from the original soundtrack so.......but as a purist I still think it sucks. I think most torrents you can find online are actually the old TV Rips with the old music though, the quality isn't as good as the DVDs but they're great rips all things considered.

I believe that VHS in general is a slightly different cut of the 5 parter so a few scenes are different between episodes.

Even with all these explanations I still can't get my head around how a TV show can lose its theme tune. It just sounds too unbelievable.

Funny how on the Vol. 2 DVD it has the music video which is basically the intro with more dancing and has the original full theme

I think I saw the original intro on a 5 year old video on youtube. I have to say the netflix intro is much better.