October 28, 2007
The networks are streaming ahead
When the networks first put their product in cyberspace for streaming, there was concern that the viewing on PCs would cannibalize the regular TV audience. Not to worry. The Denver Post reports.
"The research that we have done shows that it's additive," said Jeff Gaspin, NBC's digital-content chief. "Of course, there was some concern that, as you increase the number of streams of these shows online that it might cannibalize the on-air audience, but it's just not the case. Everything we have seen said that it helps people catch up."
In the case of "Heroes," by the time the ninth episode rolled around, the network posted the first episode online and it drew a crowd. Gaspin assumes "if they are watching the first episode, they are learning about the series, and there's a good chance that they will then catch up with the series on air."
... Whether streaming becomes a profitable goal in itself, or a way to direct the audience back to the primetime TV set, remains to be seen. For now, it may be time to get your feet wet. "
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