Online video streaming is the wave of the future. Everyone says so anyway, but most big media companies are taking a "wait and see" approach, mostly out of fear of upsetting already reliable revenue streams. Some Supernatural fans believe the time is now, because the show's sinking network isn't doing much to build viewership and it’s time to try new things.
Support Supernatural this week kicked off a petition drive designed to bring in new viewers for this often under-the-radar show. How is this different from the numerous other fan campaigns that have happened in the last year? Instead of targeting The CW, the petition is asking Warner Brothers Television Group to make season one of Supernatural available for online streaming.
Why Supernatural?
The idea is simple. Supernatural is a cult show with a heavy mytharc that cannot be picked up easily by a casual viewer in its third season. It must be watched from the beginning. Fans have been trying to get friends to watch, but are getting increasingly frustrated by not having easy access to prior episodes. Since many people connect online, loaning out DVD sets isn’t practical when a friend is miles away and these potential viewers certainly aren’t going to buy the DVDs for a show they haven’t seen. Season one also doesn’t air anywhere in form of repeats, nor does season two.
By introducing Supernatural from the beginning via free online streaming, the hope is it will attract new viewers and also get the attention of those who have lost track of the show. Best case scenario — viewers will get interested enough to catch up on season two and three either through Netflix, buying the DVDs or downloading on iTunes, and then there will be a new audience to tune in when new episodes air for season four. Take that logic, along with the announcement from Warner Brothers recently that they are going to beta with The WB.com and would be live by August, and a campaign is born.
Time For Creative Ideas
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Article comments
1 - Crogos
I totally agree. Today people are just running all over the place at all times and hours of the day. As much as I would love to have appointment television, the fact is I simply cannot. Supernatural is a show with a substantial mytharc, and is not easy to get involved in after 3 seasons of story. You hit just about every nail on the head in your article. I would just like to add that if the networks do decide to stream online, could you at least make it available to those in Canada? I know the CW puts the episodes on their site to stream, but I can't catch them north of the boarder.
2 - Sharon
I agree with everything you've said... I got into SPN through my American friends (I'm in the UK) and rented out the first season and got hooked! I've now bought the first two seasons to own, and waiting for the rest of the season to air over here later in the month...
Making the show accessible to more people is the best way of getting viewing figures up AND allowing new fans to get into it.
3 - Ann Byassee
I think this is an idea with great potential. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I have signed and will certainly encourage fellow Supernatural fans to do so. New people join the fandom all the time and it doesn't take much to get new viewers hooked. This could be a wonderful opportunity to bring in new fans.
4 - Ayame
I totally agree. If Supernatural could be streamed online, then it would help the CW with their ratings and it would show people who've heard of it and always wanted to see it a chance to indulge (if they wish to do so).
I got one think that this is a great idea.
5 - LindsayW
Thank YOU, Alice, for so cohesively putting this together from the start. We are happy to promote this and I know we will reach our signature goal!
6 - Kyle Burnett
Yes! More people need to get into the show, online streaming and all episodes on demand!
Also, showing a marathon of every episode on TV would be good.
7 - Andre Parsons
Go to in2streams.com its a monthly cost of like $20 but you get hundreds of different shows and they usually have the new episodes a day or 2 after it airs
8 - Alice Jester
I did some quick checking into in2streams.com and a few comments about this site on various forums haven't been too favorable. It seems suspicious at best, and there are many warnings out there questioning its legitmacy. They use paypal for payment, and that's usually a red flag to me right there. I won't discourage people to check it out without knowing more, but beware.
9 - Alex
in2streams is not exactly legal but I can confirm it is lagit. lots are poor quality but watchable.