NBC To Put New Shows Online First
For the third year, NBC execs are trying to build buzz for their new and returning shows online.
Knight Rider, Kath & Kim, Crusoe and My Own Worst Enemy, along with several second-year shows, will be available on NBC’s Web site, Hulu, iTunes, Amazon Video on Demand, Microsoft’s Xbox Live and Zune, as well as on-demand from TV providers such as Comcast, Cox, Charter, Dish and Verizon Fios. Knight Rider and Lipstick Jungle, due Sept. 24, are available today.
Other networks have dabbled with online premieres in the past, but none have had the success that NBC has had. The Office and 30 Rock are still alive partly because of online downloads from NBC sources. And since NBC is now using a ratings metric that factors in online video views and VOD, they will find a measure of success even if some of their new shows (namely Kath & Kim and My Own Worse Enemy) are being eulogized before they premiere.
The other networks are using other means of building buzz. CBS is screening their new shows the old fashioned way, ABC will be putting premiere eps of returning shows online but not the new stuff. CW waited until after the premiere to put 90210 online, and Fox only offered streams for their premieres of Fringe and The Sarah Connor Chronicles during the on-air premiere, and limited use to on-campus college networks.
(NBC Photo: Mitchell Haaseth)
2 Comments
[...] NBC to put new shows online first – Media Scribbler [...]
It makes sense to me! It probably saves money if the show is a bomb on the internet.