Showtime airs entire Sleeper Cell series on VOD

Filed in archive Video on Demand on October 24, 2006

If you understand the new media landscape of today, you also understand that "it's all about me." In other words, the viewer responds more favorably when they get to watch what they want, when they want it, and on whatever device they choose.

Showtime is stepping up to that reality. It will be the first TV network to make an entire series available On Demand simultaneous with the program's premiere. Now that's what I like to see in a VOD offering.



On Dec. 10, it launches all eight episodes of "Sleeper Cell: American Terror," on Showtime On Demand, the same day the second season of the serialized suspense drama returns. The "Sleeper Cell" strategy marks the first time an entire series has been made available On Demand before it has been shown on the network.

"Sleeper Cell" follows the deep-cover assignment of an African-American FBI agent who is Muslim and infiltrates Islamic terrorist organizations in the United States. The first season drew controversy and mediocre ratings, but won near-unanimous critical raves and several awards.

Oh, if only I could pray that Fox would do that someday with Jack Bower's story on 24. Heck, just give me access to all of last season! This may be easier for Showtime to do than for Fox because the former survives on subscription revenue while the latter needs advertisers. But, still a man can dream, can't he?