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NBC to Create Programs Centered on Sponsors

explosivejared writes "It sounds farcical when you first hear it, but NBC has teamed up with an ad agency to produce actual feature programs that are centered around promoting the products of the network's sponsors. The network has already begun production on one sci-fi program entitled 'Gemini Division,' which will act as a platform for products from Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco. The programming will be broadcast via the network's 'digital properties,' e.g. the NBC web site. I guess it was only a matter of time for something like this to come along after product placement became the norm."

21 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. So Easy! by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Funny

    Make TV shows from ads?! That's so easy a caveman could do it!

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    My work here is dung.
  2. sooo..... by hurfy · · Score: 3, Funny

    So that means Knight Rider was picked up as a series?

  3. Re:Who didn't see this coming? by DarkOx · · Score: 4, Funny

    No Scifi makes perfect sense, only in scifi could the protagonist succeed using Microsoft and Cisco products.

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  4. Gemini Division by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    re: Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco

    So the heroes, they fight these companies then, right? Because with their collective ethical track record, to put them on the side of good would be...

    Well, kind of fun actually. Like seeing darth vader sing a jaunty polka.

  5. Coming soon to Fox... by zamboni1138 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just wait, the "Mattel and Mars Bar Quick Energy Chocobot Hour" can not be far off. Check your local listings.

    It might actually be an improvement over current Fox shows.

  6. Oh My God by FranTaylor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Between that thing they called a debate and this, I'm beginning to feel like I am living on the set of the movie 'Network'.

  7. Sad thing is... by Secret+Rabbit · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... that I don't think that people will notice. I mean, with the crap that's on today people are used to sub-standard programming. And that's given story centric shows. So, if you're masochistic, try imagining the raging pieces of crap that are product centric.

  8. I Look Forward To This by rsmith-mac · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bring on the The Mattel and Mars Bar Quick Energy Chocobot Hour! I know that what I really want in TV is amazing advertising and a by-the-numbers plot, not cruddy shows where the writers are unconstrained by advertisers and free to write based on the artistic merit of their ideas.

    Now if they'd just replace the news (it's depressing and boooring) with this kind of quality programming, TV may be worth watching again.

  9. Re:Wow.. by azuredrake · · Score: 5, Funny

    I need a mod -1: Bad Font. :(

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    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
  10. But Will It Blend!?!!! by Bored+MPA · · Score: 1, Funny

    A blender show is about the only one of these I'd watch. And only if it lasted under three minutes: Two minutes of "wow this product is awesome!"

    followed by frappe.

  11. Re:50's here we come... by merreborn · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's not new and it's tiring to see all these people that think it is.
    Are you suffering from frequent fatigue? You may be a victim of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Have you tried new Sleepitrol? Sleepitrol: from the makers of Spleenhance. 4 out of 9 doctors agree, it probably won't kill you!
  12. Re:wait... by Deathlizard · · Score: 3, Funny

    If its The Microsoft Matrix" I'd watch it.

  13. Re:Easy response by maxwell+demon · · Score: 5, Funny

    You are trying to switch off a Microsoft sponsored show. Cancel or Allow?

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    The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
  14. Actually, you have that backwards... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    This is part of their war on piracy: make things so terrible that no one will want to download them.

  15. Re:If you've ever wondered why we're in the by Digi-John · · Score: 2, Funny

    Us Slashdot readers are far more intelligent, parking ourselves in front of a WoW screen with fly agape, saying "Thank you, Blizzard, may I have another month of grinding? Here's your cash".

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    Klingon programs don't timeshare, they battle for supremacy.
  16. Obligatory Futurama by CSMatt · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Tonight the world watches in horror as an Earthling is eaten alive on network television. This grim scene of unimaginable carnage is brought to you by Fishy Joe's. Try our new extreme walrus juice. 100% Fresh-Squeezed Walrus. Ride the walrus!"

  17. Re:Fibber Mcgee and Molly by jollyreaper · · Score: 5, Funny

    If sponsors could do their promos like that old show, it wouldn't be half bad. But most of the others were not nearly so slick. Guy 1: Wow, that is one ugly turd.

    Guy 2: You said it. But we need to get it polished up right proper if we're to meet the deadline.

    Guy 1: You know what this calls for.

    Guy 2: Sadly, yes. Hey, Bob!

    MS Bob: Did somebody call?

    Guy 1: Yeah, we've got a turd that needs polishing.

    MS Bob: No problem! Vista is a cutting edge operating system for your cutting edge lifestyle--

    Guy 2: No, wrong turd, Bob.

    Guy 1: We need to work your magic on this.

    MS Bob: Gee, I don't know if I can do that. This polish is only licensed for Microsoft products. I might get in trouble.

    Guy 1: Don't worry, I cleared it with tech support. They say it's totally cool if we do this.

    MS Bob: But only just got a new chair in my office, I don't want to lose it.

    Guy 2: What's this I see in front of me? Am I looking at a mangina? Gonna cringe and cry at the thought of a little harsh language?

    MS Bob: Ok, fine, I'll do it! Now what do you want me to polish?

    Guy 1: Got it right here, Operation Enduring Justice.

    MS Bob: But this is an invasion plan! It says Iraq here but you crossed out the 'q' and wrote in an 'n'.

    Guy 1: Told you we needed some help.

    MS Bob: I think I need more polish.
    --
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  18. Re:Vaporshows by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do you mean "early in the 21st Century"? Because even on Star Trek TNG, incorrectly predicting the past != correctly predicting the future. Even in the TV Show at the Edge of Being Entertaining.

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    make install -not war

  19. With one minor change by dreamchaser · · Score: 4, Funny

    Except that 'Allow' will be greyed out.

  20. Re:Wrong way round by lluBdeR · · Score: 2, Funny

    that's just it unpopular shows don't get watched.

    it becomes lose lose, as they lose both ad revenue, and viewers. It becomes lose lose win, since they get to blame piracy in the end.
  21. Re:Wrong way round by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 2, Funny
    Top five product-centered shows:

    5. 'Hair Club for Men's Animal Adventures'

    4. 'Cheaters, Best Buy Edition'

    3. 'CSI McDonalds'

    2. 'Tampax Space Patrol'

    1. 'Taco Bell Emergency Room'