Here’s something…different.
Variety reports that Fox plans on running LESS commercials during their showings of Fringe and Dollhouse this coming 2008-2009 season.
Fox is calling it “Remote-Free TV.”
They will be showing only HALF the normal amount of commercial and promo time during an hour show, which will amount to only FIVE MINUTES according to Variety.
This is amazing stuff. Here is a big excerpt from the article, which is absolutely mind-blowing:
Fox Entertainment chairman Peter Liguori introduced the initiative as “less reason (for viewers) to grab the remote and change the channel.”
“We need to give viewers new reasons to come to network TV.”
Fox sales topper Jon Nesvig said the ads will air in smaller pods.
“It’s more entertainment for the viewer and more impact for your messages,” Nesvig told advertisers. “We’re committed to this format.”
According to Liguori, the initiative will add about six minutes to “Fringe” and “Dollhouse” segs.
“Fringe” exec producer J.J. Abrams said he appreciated the opportunity to expand his show’s segs.
“It’s always a struggle to get traction,” Abrams told Daily Variety. “And it feels like there are a dozen commercial breaks per hour. Anything that allows us to have more time is great.”
It doesn’t appear as if Fox is paying any additional license fees for the added minutes, but the net believes that the extra minutes will add value to their properties.
“It gives extra attention to the show, and helps series when they go to DVD, foreign and syndication,” Liguori said.
If only NBC had thought of this first and given Journeyman more attention…who knows what would have happened.
No doubt though, Fox is trying HARD to give these shows a chance. And I appreciate it.
About time!
this is nice to see, especially if you do not have a DVR. Will be interesting to see if other networks follow.
Best news I’ve heard all week.
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Ask my wife I have commericals, however there are on occassion some which are brilliant. Take the Cheetos one in the laundrymat, “Felicia those are her whites in the drier.” But you can take your dancing lizards and the like and keep them.
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The cool thing about this, is that I DO like watching some shows live, and now with shortened commercials, it wont be so bad.
Now if Lost would follow suit next year.
Yes Lost has way too many commercials.
DadofIanIs last blog post..Mr. Baseball