The Sci Fi Channel will debut season 4 of Doctor Who on April 18 (after the April 11th start of the second spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures), with the broadcast premier of it's last Christmas special, Voyage of the Damned. The official season opener, Partner's in Crime, will air on April 25.
One of the reasons the cable net will air the show only three weeks after it's debut on the BBC, other than airing it in the summer, as it's done the last few seasons, is to curb viewer loss, as many can see the show on bittorents almost within moments of its airing (this was why, I'm also guessing, BBC America began showing Who spinoff Torchwood only 2 1/2 weeks after its BBC debut). So, wait a few more hours, and it's up on Youtube.
While the show does well on Sci Fi, how many people don't tune in because they've seen it already on the net, is one thing all the broadcast networks are wrestling with. All of them advertise now that you can watch your favorite shows on their websites, semi-commercial free. Even Sci Fi does it. It's an attempt at putting a band aid on what has become a major issue for them -and the people who produce, write, direct and act on them.
But to while the calculation of how many are not watching is questionable, there is no doubt that shows -especially newly produced shows - are losing viewers. Part of the recent drain can be blamed on the 100 day writers strike. And while broadcast network shows are finally returning, the shadow of an actor's strike this summer could further push people to the net to watch more shows not produced here in the states.
But still, the net offers -much like Tivo, DVD's and the almost forgotten VHS - people to watch shows at their convience. Don't want to wait three weeks to see Doctor Who, just wait because you can see it on the net in only moments.
Eventually, I see most shows available in any type of format almost instantly. Which means, that shows like this British import, will air on the same day here as it does in England. And while on Sunday, I did watch the season opener -and Voyage of the Damned - on Youtube, I'll still catch it on the Sci Fi Channel and will buy it on DVD.
I may have cheated by doing it -after all, I guess I can be like the majority of Americans who can no longer wait for anything - but I'll still catch it on Sci Fi. Of course, I'll DVR it so I can pass by all those pesky commercials.
One of the reasons the cable net will air the show only three weeks after it's debut on the BBC, other than airing it in the summer, as it's done the last few seasons, is to curb viewer loss, as many can see the show on bittorents almost within moments of its airing (this was why, I'm also guessing, BBC America began showing Who spinoff Torchwood only 2 1/2 weeks after its BBC debut). So, wait a few more hours, and it's up on Youtube.
While the show does well on Sci Fi, how many people don't tune in because they've seen it already on the net, is one thing all the broadcast networks are wrestling with. All of them advertise now that you can watch your favorite shows on their websites, semi-commercial free. Even Sci Fi does it. It's an attempt at putting a band aid on what has become a major issue for them -and the people who produce, write, direct and act on them.
But to while the calculation of how many are not watching is questionable, there is no doubt that shows -especially newly produced shows - are losing viewers. Part of the recent drain can be blamed on the 100 day writers strike. And while broadcast network shows are finally returning, the shadow of an actor's strike this summer could further push people to the net to watch more shows not produced here in the states.
But still, the net offers -much like Tivo, DVD's and the almost forgotten VHS - people to watch shows at their convience. Don't want to wait three weeks to see Doctor Who, just wait because you can see it on the net in only moments.
Eventually, I see most shows available in any type of format almost instantly. Which means, that shows like this British import, will air on the same day here as it does in England. And while on Sunday, I did watch the season opener -and Voyage of the Damned - on Youtube, I'll still catch it on the Sci Fi Channel and will buy it on DVD.
I may have cheated by doing it -after all, I guess I can be like the majority of Americans who can no longer wait for anything - but I'll still catch it on Sci Fi. Of course, I'll DVR it so I can pass by all those pesky commercials.
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