I fully believe if the Powers-that-be would allow, the Donna Summer Special could be released from original 2-inch edited-master videotape in true stereo remix with about a month's work. I edited the special during the last three months of 1979 and know for a fact that although it was mixed in mono (widespread use of stereo TV was five years in the future at the time), all of the original audio tracks were simultaneously recorded and saved on either 16 or 24 tracks from the Hollywood Bowl or 8 track one-inch tape at ABC/Prospect Avenue. I insisted on the show being sweetened (rerecorded for applause,etc.) at 30 inches per second at the time. The legal hoops would be the biggest hassle in getting the material together to reconstruct the show for DVD, but I feel strongly that it would stand up beautifully against today's standards, both in video and audio quality. I'd love to spearhead the effort if there is enough interest.
TC
TC