In a first for a broadcast network, America Online is teaming up with The WB to stream a preview of an upcoming network series exclusively on AOL's broadband service.
A commercial-free episode of "Jack & Bobby," will be available online and on-demand exclusively for AOL for Broadband subscribers starting sometime later this month. In the first week of the two-week promotion, subscribers for AOL's broadband and dial-up service will be able to view trailers of the series, set to debut on The WB network on Sept. 12.
During the second week, only AOL for Broadband subscribers will be able to view the entire pilot episode, which will also include promotional information on how viewers will be able to access the show on broadcast TV. Although the two companies-both owned by Time Warner-previously teamed up to stream an episode of "Everwood" earlier this year to an estimated 150,000 subscribers, this marks the first time a network series has first been made available to broadband subscribers prior to its network debut.
"In a crowded environment, we have be aggressive in finding ways to get our shows sampled and this is definitely aggressive," said Suzanne Kolb, executive vice president of marketing at The WB.
