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."

Comments

Wrong way round

[jmpeax]

Product placement is, at best, a necessary evil to fund content that is expensive to produce. Normally, product placement is worth the effort because the content is very popular - for example, the promotion of brands like Apple and Cisco in 24.

The significant point, however, is that the show comes first. By reversing the creative process and using product promotion as a starting point, not only is the quality of content likely to suffer, but the effectiveness of the advertising along with it.

What's worse, it seems these plans will give the brands involved an unprecedented level of influence over the content. From TFA:

[It will be] a unique way of giving brands a seat at the table with writers and producers in developing episodic programming that ties directly to brand needs

Re:Wrong way round

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't mind product placement in shows as long as it's subtle. The giant-sized HP logos on laptops always makes me chuckle, but ruins the immersiveness of the show (seriously, they're bigger than the emblem on the 9040 monster printers we use). When I saw the summary, my first thought was how advertising was done when TV first came out. One sponsor would pay for the whole show, and you would get "The Coca-Cola Variety Hour", or something like that. There would be regular interruptions to hawk the product of that particular company, or if it was a contest, the winners would get the advertiser's featured products. As things got more expensive, more sponsors shared the expense, and today you have the modern commercial. Radio was like this as well. Obviously, at that time, advertisers had a lot of power over content (to ensure proper placement).

Things almost look like they're coming full circle.

So Easy!

[eldavojohn]

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

Re:Wow..

[azuredrake]

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

Re:Easy response

[maxwell demon]

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

Fibber Mcgee and Molly

[A nonymous Coward]

I've been listening to old radio shows on Sirius satellite when I take long drives, and I have come to look forward to the Johnson Wax spot on the Fibber McGee and Molly show. They usually did a pretty good of working it in more or less naturally; for instance, when getting a spare room ready for a boarder, the sponsor's guy comes for a visit and marvels at how good the floor looks because of its Johnson Wax coat. Part of the fun of it is them not pretending it's not a sponsor's spot. Usually Fibber will make some comment to the audience about cover your ears, once he gets going he doesn't know how to stop, and there's always some good natured ribbing. In fact, I end up looking forward to them. I imagine it was much the same for the listeners back in the day.

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.

Re:Fibber Mcgee and Molly

[jollyreaper]

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.