The trouble is shows that haven’t been around for four or more seasons, like Supernatural, aren’t available for cable syndication yet. If Supernatural season one was available online, especially this summer, that would expose it to many curiosity seekers and might help with the cable syndication prospects when there are enough episodes. Also, catering to an online audience would attract more 18-34 year olds, which is both the WB.com and The CW's target demographic. It could also help promote the future sales of season one DVD sets once it’s available on Blu-ray, not to mention increased sales from season two and three sets since those won’t be available online.
Will this idea work? Who knows, but it’s worth a try. This could be a great way for smaller shows on small networks to find audiences that they can't get during regular TV viewing hours. Warner Brothers should take this chance, for there’s not much to lose and everything to gain.
Viewers who think this seems like a worthwhile cause can go to Support Supernatural and click on the link for “Support Streaming Supernatural Season 1”. Thanks so much to Lindsay and Heather for taking this crazy idea and running with it. Let’s hope Warner Brothers is willing to explore the possibilities the online world can create for them.
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.