Do You Like Watching TV Premieres Early Online?

September 19, 2008

Earlier this week, I told you about a bunch of NBC shows that were premiering online early. Two Showtime shows that premiere later this month, Dexter and Californication, are also getting into the act with free online premieres (just enter the password "Lady Killers"). All of this has made me wonder: Do you actually like watching premieres before they air on TV? Or does it take the fun out of it when you just have to wait longer to see the next episodes?

Source

TV Buzz Poll Online TV

11 Comments

Phil 4 years 35 weeks

Yes, I do enjoy watching a show before it airs, though it's not necessarily to find out what happens sooner. Typically when an episode is posted online before air, regardless of whether it shows up on a torrent site or through an official source (like Showtime with their streams of the season premiers of Californication and Dexter), it's a rough. In that sense, I do enjoy watching a lightly edited version of what will eventually become the final product, especially in regard of judging if the show actually has potential for growth throughout the season.However, there's a communal quality to watching a show when it finally premiers on television that is totally lost when the episode goes online. For instance, I can't imagine how I'd feel if I had watched the Lost pilot before it actually aired. When the first hint of a "monster" was dropped, there was a collective "WTF" moment that millions of people felt, and millions more felt when the episode aired on the west coast! Then surely thousands of people after the episode, turned to or called their friends or family, or went online to discuss what they'd just seen. With an episode that gets viewed days or weeks or months in advance, that feeling is lost.

Phil 4 years 35 weeks

Yes, I do enjoy watching a show before it airs, though it's not necessarily to find out what happens sooner. Typically when an episode is posted online before air, regardless of whether it shows up on a torrent site or through an official source (like Showtime with their streams of the season premiers of Californication and Dexter), it's a rough. In that sense, I do enjoy watching a lightly edited version of what will eventually become the final product, especially in regard of judging if the show actually has potential for growth throughout the season. However, there's a communal quality to watching a show when it finally premiers on television that is totally lost when the episode goes online. For instance, I can't imagine how I'd feel if I had watched the Lost pilot before it actually aired. When the first hint of a "monster" was dropped, there was a collective "WTF" moment that millions of people felt, and millions more felt when the episode aired on the west coast! Then surely thousands of people after the episode, turned to or called their friends or family, or went online to discuss what they'd just seen. With an episode that gets viewed days or weeks or months in advance, that feeling is lost.

lily8206 4 years 35 weeks

I don't really like watching things on my computer as I only have a desktop. That point, along with not being able to discuss the show and the longer wait for epi 2 makes me wait to view it on tv at the regular time. I will watch on the computer if I happen to miss the televised program.

lily8206 4 years 35 weeks

I don't really like watching things on my computer as I only have a desktop. That point, along with not being able to discuss the show and the longer wait for epi 2 makes me wait to view it on tv at the regular time.I will watch on the computer if I happen to miss the televised program.

ilanac13 4 years 35 weeks

i like the thought of being able to see the premier online but i' have a big screen TV for a reason and i feel like i'm missing out a bit when i watch it online. besides - i feel like there's something about watching a show online that takes away from the TV feel of it all.

sexymotherfakir 4 years 35 weeks

I think to an extent television for me becomes about a routine of watching certain shows on certain days. Watching them online throws that off. The only times I will usually watch shows online is shows that I missed, which means watching after they showed on television, or instances where I just couldn't wait, last season's Dexter finale.

sexymotherfakir 4 years 35 weeks

Francoisehardly 4 years 35 weeks

I avoid watching things online unless something I didn't think I would be able to find/see is posted somewhere. I did find a movie I wasn't expecting to find on Hulu. But generally speaking the whole point of watching something or reading something is to be away from the computer and I don't have to keep moving a mouse around when the screen darkens if I'm watching something on TV.

Francoisehardly 4 years 35 weeks

wickedcupofjoe 4 years 35 weeks

I have to wait longer so that stinks, but, there's also something about hunkering down on the couch, all comfy and cozy, excitedly waiting for the premiere of the show. :)

tlsgirl 4 years 35 weeks

I'm definitely impatient, but I prefer the bigger screen for the TV, and it just makes it even harder to wait for episode 2.

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