PBS chief Paula Kerger unveiled a host of new programs Tuesday as she said the public broadcaster would be putting a heavier focus on both digital and drama.
“We make sure that wherever people are going for content, we’re there,” Kerger told the TCA summer press tour.
In that spirit, she said the upcoming seven-part Ken Burns film “The Roosevelts” would be made available for streaming on local station websites in its entirety the day after the first episode’s broadcast premiere on September 14. It’s the first time PBS is offering a Netflix-like binge experience for one of its major programs.
“Because it is such a big and important series, we believe—and we have seen this through audience numbers from ‘Downton Abbey’—we found that by offering it in multi places, people could catch up and come in and out of the broadcast so that the broadcast audience, rather than being impacted negatively, is impacted positively because the people who miss an episode or two can catch up and come back into the series,” Kerger said.
“Downton” fans shouldn’t hold their breath for such an arrangement: Kerger said they still wanted to encourage appointment viewing and protect fans from spoilers. Subject matter like “The Roosevelts” doesn’t really lend itself to spoilers, she joked.
As for “Downton,” the new series is returning on January 4, and PBS is happy with how it rolls out the new seasons Stateside several months after their U.K. premiere, pointing out that season four ratings were up 16 percent.
Kerger wouldn’t give a return date for another hit drama, “Sherlock,” saying only “because it’s coming from our partners in the U.K., we have to wait to know when it will be finished. Whenever it comes we’ll put it in a wonderful place.”
Ditto for “Mr. Selfridge.” But Kerger did announce that PBS would bring back “Call the Midwife” for season four on March 29.
Kerger also hinted that PBS might have an announcement about original drama content—rather than acquired British series—some time soon.
“I’m smiling and we’ll be able to tell you something sometime soon,” she told the assembled critics.
Among the other major programming announcements Monday:
-“American Experience” will debut a two-part Walt Disney biopic in fall 2015.
-“The Brain with Dr. David Eagleman” will tell the story of the inner workings of our brain in a six-part series premiering in 2015.
-PBS will reveal “the untold story” of the Navy Seals for Veterans Day 2014.
-PBS Arts Fall Festival kicks off Sept. 26 with “Sweeney Todd” in concert with the New York Phil. Kristin Chenoweth debuts as host this season. Other featured performances: the 40th anniversary of Austin City Limits, Great Performances featuring Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, and Porgy and Bess from San Francisco Opera.
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