NBC has caught the binge-watching bug.
The network had decided to take a page from Netflix’s book and just dump an entire season of a new show for viewers to stream at their pleasure. Following its May 28 premiere, the new David Duchovny – Charles Manson show Aquarius will land online. All of it.
NBC says you’ll be able to stream all 13 episodes of the first season for four weeks on NBC.com, the NBC app, and video on-demand. The show will also continue to air on a week-to-week basis in its normal timeslot.
“With Aquarius we have the opportunity to push some new boundaries to give our audience something no broadcast network has done before,“ said NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt. “We are fully aware how audiences want to consume multiple episodes of new television series faster and at their own discretion, and we’re excited to offer our viewers this same experience since all 13 episodes of this unique show have been produced and are ready to be seen. I appreciate the enthusiasm we’ve gotten from the producers of the show and our partner Marty Adelstein of Tomorrow Studios to launch this series in a new, forward-thinking way.”
It certainly is new and forward-thinking for a broadcast network. This is a first.
One name defined a generation of crime. @nbcaquarius premieres Thursday, May 28. https://t.co/uQuOsUB6RA
— NBC (@nbc) April 25, 2015
While the move to forgo the traditional release structure is a huge deal for a network, The Hollywood Reporter has something that’s possibly more interesting.
The episodes will only be available for the first four weeks of the run. And it makes sense considering producers have cut two versions of the series. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that one will be more broadcast friendly with the other intended to push the envelope on streaming.
This isn’t just R-rated bonus scenes – this is apparently two different cuts of the series. If online streaming becomes a place where networks like NBC, FOX, ABC, and CBS can push the boundaries and create content with more adult elements, boy would that be a game changer.
Image via NBCAquarius, Twitter