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Counting Down to the End of....Downton Abbey
Aloysius J. Gleek:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2011/10/13/downton_abbey_season_2_is_streaming_illegally_shouldn_t_pbs_just.html
Downton Abbey Season 2:
Shouldn’t PBS Just Air It, Already?
By Cindy Y. Hong
Posted Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, at 11:59 AM ET
Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery in Downton Abbey.
The second season of Downton Abbey premiered on September 18, 2011 in the U.K. But U.S. fans still need to wait until January 8 of next year to find out how the aristocratic Crawley family weathers modernity, entails, and World War I. Of course, impatient American viewers may seek unauthorized online sources in the meantime. Given that illegal streaming and downloading have become so common, why is PBS waiting almost four months to release the second season of Downton Abbey?
PBS says it comes down to the logistics of editing episodes and fitting Downton Abbey in with a busy fall season. “Programs are made for U.K. broadcast lengths, which require re-editing to fit our PBS time slot,” PBS’ Masterpiece producer Rebecca Eaton stated in an email, “And, since our Masterpiece schedule showcases our Classic programming in the winter, we’re beginning Downton Abbey season 2 in January 2012.”
PBS’s decision will disappoint American fans of British television who had hoped that BBC America’s Doctor Who would usher in a new era of same-day broadcasting of U.K. shows. Earlier this year, the entire final season of Doctor Who aired on the same day worldwide in an attempt to bring fans together. “We listened to our fans who wanted to be part of a global conversation,” said Richard DeCroce, Senior Vice President of Programming at BBC America. Same-day airings limited spoilers while also staving off potential revenue loss from illegal viewing of the show.
PBS, however, may have less reason to be concerned with erosion from online streaming and downloading than BBC America did. Derek Kompare, a film and media arts professor at Southern Methodist University, believes that it’s valuable for networks to consider demographics on a show-by-show basis. For instance, delaying broadcast could build anticipation among older viewers who are less likely to use online streaming. Though a PBS spokesperson acknowledged via email that “resourceful fans will try to find a way to watch season two before the … PBS broadcast,” they also believe that many fans will tune in come January. “Also, we know that true Downton addicts will watch the series more than once.”
brianr:
I have been watching the reruns of Downton Abbey series 1 on Saturday night and, after not likeing episode 1, enjoying the rest. It finishes this Saturday. Just checked when series 2 is starting and am most upset to find it is next Tuesday. I am flying to Australia on Tuesday for a school reunion that night returning on Thursday. Will have to research how to find it on the net.
ifyoucantfixit:
I purchased the first CD from them when they put it up for sale. I did not
know however, that there is to be an episode 2.
Does it have the same cast?
brianr:
--- Quote from: ifyoucantfixit on October 13, 2011, 08:19:21 pm ---
I purchased the first CD from them when they put it up for sale. I did not
know however, that there is to be an episode 2.
Does it have the same cast?
--- End quote ---
I have read there are to be 3 series. The promos for series 2 shows many of the same characters as in Series 1. It is set during WW1
brianr:
I managed to set up my VHS recorder back in October (had not set it up since I moved from Australia to NZ in January 2010 (I do not watch much TV) and recorded the first episode of 2nd series. The series finished last night in NZ (has not started yet in Australia and I gather in US). Now I cannot wait for series 3 :(. Much was left up in the air.
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