In what could signal the continuation of a trend begun by 24, the NBC mini-series Kingpin is going to be released on DVD two days before the series concludes Feb 16:

The move comes as networks look to such DVD releases to earn more from series.

NBC said the "Kingpin" DVD would include behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews and explicit footage not seen on broadcast TV. The show, about a Mexican drug lord and his family, has been characterized by many as network TV's answer to HBO's violent but popular crime drama "The Sopranos."

The show has met with some success in the ratings and also generated some controversy. The League of United Latin American Citizens has blasted the series for portraying Hispanics as "murderers and unpatriotic American citizens."

HBO has released seasons of "The Sopranos" on DVD, and Fox released a DVD of the series "24" last year not long after the show ended its first season. [Reuters]