TV on the Web: NBC raises the stakes

CBS got to third base with its viewers. Now the Peacock is going all the way, offering all its new shows online, for free.

For now.

NBC knew all along that "Friday Night Lights" would have a problem getting noticed at 7 p.m. Tuesdays (in the midwest).  This confirms it. Thing is, every network has scheduling nightmares this fall. Why aren't they all going online, all the time?

NBC TO OFFER FREE STREAMING EPISODES OF ALL NEW PRIMETIME SHOWS
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> New Ad-Supported Content Will Be Showcased on > '> NBC 24/7> '>  - NBC Universal> '> s Video Player
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> New Live Premiere Blogs to Accompany Every Show on NBC
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> BURBANK - September 13, 2006 -- NBC today announced plans to stream full episodes of its new Fall primetime shows on www.nbc.com <http://www.nbc.com> for free.
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> The ad-supported model will allow viewers to watch episodes of their favorite NBC primetime shows on NBC 24/7, NBC Universal> '> s video player which will re-launch on October 1st with a new enhanced high-resolution, large-format version.
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> Additionally, nbc.com will feature live premiere blogs from the creators, producers or cast members for every show on the air (complete list follows below).  All new, returning, scripted or reality shows will host a live blog immediately after the premiere episode.  Viewers will be encouraged to engage in a dialogue with the creator, producer or cast member about the episode as soon as the broadcast concludes.
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> The announcement was made by Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, Digital Content and Cross-Network Strategy.
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> "> When you launch a new season, it> '> s important that you get the shows in front of as many eyeballs as possible,> ">  said Gaspin.  > "> We> '> ve created a variety of new, engaging digital offerings to generate excitement and drive viewership to the network.> ">
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> NBC.com will offer the following programming after the network broadcast:
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> The first four episodes of > "> 30 Rock,> ">  the new comedy starring Tina Fey (who also created the series), Tracy Morgan and Alec Baldwin and the new comedy > "> Twenty Good Years,> ">  starring Emmy winner John Lithgow (> "> 3rd Rock from the Sun> "> ) and Jeffrey Tambor (> "> Arrested Development> "> ).
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> In addition, nbc.com will provide eight episodes of the new dramas > "> Kidnapped,> ">  starring Jeremy Sisto (> "> Six Feet Under> "> ), Delroy Lindo (> "> The Cider House Rules> "> ), Emmy winner Dana Delany (> "> China Beach> "> ) and Oscar winner Tim Hutton (> "> Ordinary People> "> ); > "> Friday Night Lights,> ">  the new drama based on the theatrical film hit about high school Texas football starring Kyle Chandler (> "> King Kong> "> ); > "> Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,> "> the critically acclaimed new drama from Emmy-winning executive producers Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme (> "> The West Wing> "> ); and > "> Heroes,> ">  the controversial and fresh new drama about ordinary people who discover their have extraordinary powers, starring Milo Ventimiglia (> "> The Bedford Diaries> "> ).
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> The live premiere blogs will feature the following creators, producers or cast members from each primetime show:
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> "> Deal or No Deal> ">  - September 18th - The Banker> '> s Blog
> "> Studio 60> ">  - September 18th - Aaron Sorkin, Creator and Executive Producer and Thomas Schlamme, Executive Producer and Director
> "> Law & Order: Criminal Intent> ">  - September 19th - Warren Leight, Executive Producer
> "> Law & Order: SVU> ">  - September 19th - Neal Baer, Executive Producer
> "> The Biggest Loser> ">  - Wednesday, September 20th - Bob Harper, Trainer
> "> Kidnapped> ">  - September 20th - Jason Smilovic, Creator and Executive Producer
> "> My Name Is Earl> ">  - September 21st - Greg Garcia, Creator and Executive Producer
> "> The Office> ">  - September 21st - Greg Daniels, Executive Producer
> "> ER> ">  - September 21st - John Wells, Creator and Executive Producer and David Zabel, Executive Producer
> "> Law & Order> ">  - September 22nd - Dick Wolf, Creator and Executive Producer
> "> Heroes> ">  - September 25th - Tim Kring, Creator and Executive Producer
> "> Friday Night Lights> ">  - October 3rd - Peter Berg, Creator and Executive Producer
> "> 30 Rock> ">  - October 11th - Tina Fey, Creator and Executive Producer
> "> Twenty Good Years> ">  - October 11th - Marsh McCall, Creator and Executive Producer
> "> Crossing Jordan> ">  - October 20th - Robert Rovner, Executive Producer, Jon Cowan, Executive Producer and Kathy McCormick, Executive Producer>
> "> Las Vegas> ">  - October 20th - Gary Scott Thompson, Creator and Executive Producer
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