Alternate versions

The director's cut (available in the US on VHS and DVD) contains the following additional footage that was cut from the theatrical release to get an "R" rating:

• During the "Samurai Dreams" scene, a dildo, only partly shown in the "R" rated version, is fully visible.
• The first shot of videodrome in Harlan's workroom runs longer.
• The next scene in Harlan's workroom shows a different, and more graphic take of videodrome broadcast.
• The scene in which Max pierces Nicki's ear has been extended.
• The shot of Max shooting his second partner is slightly longer.
• Barry Convex's death goes another shot.

The original UK cinema release featured the U.S R-rated print. The initial 1987 UK video version was pre-edited by 3 minutes before submission and the longer US R-rated version was released uncut on video in 1990 (this is the currently available UK DVD version). The unrated U.S 'Director's Cut' has also been released on laserdisc in the UK, rated 18.

The TV version first released to syndication is a significantly different edit with extra/additional material as follows:

• A very different and extended introduction with longer opening titles presented over red themed paintings.
• A longer version of Max's business meeting with the Japanese salesmen, including a reminiscence about a girl in a Hong Kong hotel, a sinister foreshadowing of the disappearing Videodrome performers.
• Extended Sales Meeting at Civic TV.
• A very brief additional line of dialogue in Harlan's lab.
• An extension of the scene with Max and Nicki watching Videodrome.
• Masha comments how Max looks tired and exhausted but makes her sales pitch.
• Max takes a longer walk down Skid Row, and gets offered two meal choices during an extended scene inside the Cathode Ray Mission.
• An extended version of Brian's monologue in which he comments, "You've got a nice little addiction going."
• Nicki calls Max and explains that she was behind his first major hallucination, and Brian makes a return appearance telling Max to take advantage of his position.
• Nicki picks up Max in a limo, and notes how much she likes his current incarnation, including his "sick and wonderful" hallucinations.
• Barry Convex offers a greatly expanded backstory about the optical accumulator as a military device.
• Max walks down the street and see a very different version of himself in a store window.
• "It's Always Painful to change the program".
• An alternate, shortened version of Barry Conex's assassination, made "safe" for US TV.
• Max nervously sees a news report about the shootings on TV and encounters a mentally disturbed homeless man.
• An extended version of Max's solo excursion deeper into the heart of the city and his own psyche, revealing more of the boat interior.
• TV Epilogue - Pivotal lines of dialogue from the main characters are reiterated over the same paintings seen over the opening titles. (All the above are available on the 2015 Arrow Video UK Blu-ray release).

The version released in Singapore is rated 'PG' and was heavily trimmed to remove sex and violence for VHS. The film was never re-submitted for an uncut 'M18' or 'R21' rating for DVD or Blu-ray.

The UK pre-cert video on CIC was heavily pre-cut, by the distributor themselves. The American 'R'-rated version, with a running time logged as 89 minutes, was submitted to the BBFC and passed without cuts on 08/03/1983. When first issued on video the following year, compulsory certification of videos had not yet come into force. CIC placed an 'advisory' BBFC 18 certificate on the reverse sleeve, but, wary of the video nasty controversy which was then at a fever pitch, cut out much of the graphic gore - notably the death of Barry Convex, which was excised entirely (strangely, more easily imitated instances of self-harm remained). This version, running 80 minutes was then formally submitted for video classification in February 1987. Perhaps this was an oversight on the part of CIC, or perhaps it reflects uncertainty as to what was permissible in the 'cert' or post-cert era. The cut material was restored when the film was submitted again for video re-release, in August 1990. In theory this was uncut, and later releases all follow suit. Since then, the BBFC have reexamined the film three times, as rights holders change. The run-times for these subsequent reissues given on the BBFC website vary between 84-88 minutes but this disparity is probably accounted for by frame-rate fluctuations as the media the film is viewed on changes (?).

Some TV prints of the film have an extended ending. While the original film ends with James Woods holding a gun to his head, the TV version continues on to show images of cast members as dialogue from the film is heard.