The Wall Street Journal reports that NBC will air “newpeats” of their popular comedy ‘The Office’ as a way to draw fans back to their televisions, and away from unofficial re-runs posted online. These “newpeats” will be remixes of old episodes combined into one, and infused with previously unaired footage.
“In an age where old TV episodes are widely distributed online — in some cases just hours after they air — networks are struggling to attract audiences to the repeats on their schedules. The Big Four networks in decades past could count on a significant audience to turn up for reruns because there wasn’t that much competition. But with video games, the Internet, DVDs sporting extras and the continued proliferation of cable all competing for their time, audiences expect something more.”
This is a fine example of a traditional media company taking an innovative approach to competition from the Internet. Perhaps NBC could teach the RIAA a lesson, so they can figure out that adding value to your products will retain more customers than suing them for beer money in retaliation for their disinterest.
