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Get a head start on fall TV premieres – thanks to the internet Get a head start on fall TV premieres – thanks to the internet
(6 days later)
We've all see the countless promos for the networks new shows coming up this fall (at least those of us who don't blow through the commercials on our DVR). It started in the spring, and the steady stream of advertising is meant to get us to tune into these potential hits in the fourth week of September, when most of them premiere. Well, what your TV isn't telling you is that several of the new shows are already available on the internet in advance of their premiere dates.We've all see the countless promos for the networks new shows coming up this fall (at least those of us who don't blow through the commercials on our DVR). It started in the spring, and the steady stream of advertising is meant to get us to tune into these potential hits in the fourth week of September, when most of them premiere. Well, what your TV isn't telling you is that several of the new shows are already available on the internet in advance of their premiere dates.
Five of the new pilots on NBC and ABC and the second season premiere of Fox's struggling The Mindy Project are currently up and running on not only the network's websites but also streaming video service Hulu (which, not coincidentally, is partially owned by NBC, ABC, and Fox). If you're so inclined, you can watch Blair Underwood wheel his way to solving crime in Ironside, Mike O'Malley deal with a pregnant teen in Welcome to the Family, James Caan torture his daughter and grandson as a washed up baseball player in Back in the Game, Malin Ackerman take on her new husband's two ex-wives in Trophy Wife, or The Goldbergs, which is just The Wonder Years moved forward to the 1980s.Five of the new pilots on NBC and ABC and the second season premiere of Fox's struggling The Mindy Project are currently up and running on not only the network's websites but also streaming video service Hulu (which, not coincidentally, is partially owned by NBC, ABC, and Fox). If you're so inclined, you can watch Blair Underwood wheel his way to solving crime in Ironside, Mike O'Malley deal with a pregnant teen in Welcome to the Family, James Caan torture his daughter and grandson as a washed up baseball player in Back in the Game, Malin Ackerman take on her new husband's two ex-wives in Trophy Wife, or The Goldbergs, which is just The Wonder Years moved forward to the 1980s.
On Hulu, the early debuts are clearly being promoted, but God forbid the channels they air on actually tell you about these advance screenings (or, God forbid, journalists write reviews of them when the content is first available to the public). In network TV, people watching a show live during its appointed time slot is still all that really matters, so putting these on the internet is really only a ploy to get more people to watch come showtime.On Hulu, the early debuts are clearly being promoted, but God forbid the channels they air on actually tell you about these advance screenings (or, God forbid, journalists write reviews of them when the content is first available to the public). In network TV, people watching a show live during its appointed time slot is still all that really matters, so putting these on the internet is really only a ploy to get more people to watch come showtime.
How does that work, exactly? Well, the early onset is supposed to create the ever elusive "buzz", and the idea is that people who find these things on ABC.com or Hulu or wherever are the type of people who will say "The Trophy Wife is awesome!" on social media, which will then get people to watch the premiere. It seems to me a message from a friend on Facebook or Twitter would just make people click the link and bring them right to the video, but whatever. Maybe this will get people to tune in live for episode two.How does that work, exactly? Well, the early onset is supposed to create the ever elusive "buzz", and the idea is that people who find these things on ABC.com or Hulu or wherever are the type of people who will say "The Trophy Wife is awesome!" on social media, which will then get people to watch the premiere. It seems to me a message from a friend on Facebook or Twitter would just make people click the link and bring them right to the video, but whatever. Maybe this will get people to tune in live for episode two.
Also, the people that are going to be watching this over Al Gore's greatest invention are more likely to be "cord cutters" – people who don't have cable or even a television set in their homes in the first place.Also, the people that are going to be watching this over Al Gore's greatest invention are more likely to be "cord cutters" – people who don't have cable or even a television set in their homes in the first place.
Giving audiences a sneak peek of shows has met with mixed results. Two seasons ago Fox tried this with New Girl, and it had huge ratings for its premiere. Whether it was because people could download the show before the broadcast or because of the ubiquitous marketing campaign in more traditional venues was never proven. A year ago, ABC put the first two episodes of Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23 on its website before its official launch and, well, now it's nowhere on the dial.Giving audiences a sneak peek of shows has met with mixed results. Two seasons ago Fox tried this with New Girl, and it had huge ratings for its premiere. Whether it was because people could download the show before the broadcast or because of the ubiquitous marketing campaign in more traditional venues was never proven. A year ago, ABC put the first two episodes of Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23 on its website before its official launch and, well, now it's nowhere on the dial.
This is the second time that Fox has tried to entice viewers to get hooked on The Mindy Project with a free taste. Last season it worked all right, but the hilarious show struggled in the ratings. But this year the solid first episode has James Franco making gay jokes and talking about penises. Sure, you can see that just about anywhere, but where else can you see it for free – and see it early?This is the second time that Fox has tried to entice viewers to get hooked on The Mindy Project with a free taste. Last season it worked all right, but the hilarious show struggled in the ratings. But this year the solid first episode has James Franco making gay jokes and talking about penises. Sure, you can see that just about anywhere, but where else can you see it for free – and see it early?
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