August 04, 2004 - To hell with syndication. Warner Home Video has announced it will release the first season of its hot new teen soap opera The O.C. on DVD on October 26, 2004. The seven-disc set will have a suggested price of $69.98.

The show is a 21st century version of Beverly Hills 90210, but set a little further south in the tony Orange County ocean town of Newport Beach. The ensemble drama is centered on Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie), a troubled kid whose mother throws him out of the house and he's taken in by his public defender. A public defender with a house in Newport Beach? That's the best one we've heard in ages.

The DVD will be presented in full frame format with stereo audio. Extras include:

Additional scenes with introductions by creator Josh Schwartz.

Audio commentary on the pilot episode by creator Josh Schwartz and producer Stephanie Savage.

DVD-ROM features

Easter Eggs on three episodes.

Three Featurettes - Casting the OC, The Music of the OC and The Real OC featuring behind-the-scenes footage and cast & crew interviews.

The Music Of The O.C. - an screen music guide for six episodes.

-- IGN DVD