NBC is taking a page from Netflix—and is the first broadcast network to do so—offering all 13 episodes of its new crime drama, Aquarius, concurrent with the show’s premiere on May 28.
The series will run on VOD, NBC.com and the NBC app that same night. New episodes will debut each week on Thursdays at 9 pm, with the streaming plan running for the show’s first four weeks.
The move is a first for broadcast networks, who have experimented with releasing pilots before the official premiere date or releasing a few episodes at a time, but never with a full season.
NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt says that binge-viewing works for Aquarius because the first season has already finished filming and it gives the broadcaster the perfect opportunity to experiment with the release model.
“With Aquarius we have the opportunity to push some new boundaries to give our audience something no broadcast network has done before,” said Greenblatt. “We are fully aware how audiences want to consume multiple episodes of new television series faster and at their own discretion, and we’re excited to offer our viewers this same experience since all 13 episodes of this unique show have been produced and are ready to be seen.”
Aquarius stars David Duchovny as a detective in 1967 Los Angeles, trying to investigate a missing person case connected to the Manson Family.
Read more at Adweek.
Brief Take: A first for broadcast networks, NBC risks cannibalizing the on-air audience, but also opens up the show to plenty of viewers who may never have seen the show without traditional TV options.
[Image courtesy of NBC]
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