CBS: Will You Promote Jericho ?

Once again Rich of Copywrite Ink hits the CBS nail on the head. I find the article to be quite revealing as well as interesting.



"Buddy TV has been running an online poll that reveals the fan base fractures over the decision. Only 10 percent of Jericho fans like the new time slot, 67 percent don’t care (they’ll watch anytime), and 23 percent think it is a mistake."


It's evident fans are not voting like we once did. Since the return was announced I haven't even seen any major promotional efforts underway. Are we burned out ? Probably. Have we done all the marketing while CBS did nothing ? Yes.

"A mere 145 people voted, which is indicative of CBS giving up its engagement with the thousands of fans that convinced them to bring it back. Equally telling is that the Jericho Season One DVD sales did not measure up, hindered by the network’s lack of the commitment to the cause. We cautioned fans to promote the DVD heavily, as if CBS would not market it."


CBS should be ashamed of the non-marketing they did for the DVD. Is it that they want to see Jericho fail this time?

"CBS primarily made four promises to Jericho fans when they reinstated the series in June:

• Re-broadcast “Jericho” on CBS, which they did with an odd order, until the series was pre-empted by football.
• Stream online episodes and clips online, but without much marketing support for the varied platforms where you can find it.
• Release the first season to DVD on Sept. 25, which was postponed and lacked any substantial marketing support.
• Continue the story of Jericho in digital media, which they almost did but not in any real tangible sort of way."

And, Rich, don't forget that CBS gave us the most insane chat room for Jericho known to man. Porn, threats, you name it. They haven't even tried to moderate it just as they let the Jericho message board go downhill.

So we have all this plus the fact that few bloggers are blogging Jericho, the message board is dead, and CBS is sitting back watching. Personally, I don't think we can blame the holidays for the apathy I see.

If Jericho fails again the blame lays in the lap of CBS. And, I doubt they even care.

Jericho: The Devil Inside

Rich at Copywrite Ink always knows how to hit the Bullseye. His latest post is no exception. He breaks the article down into three sections.




1) The Good:

Not real good but he discusses Amazon sales of the DVD as well as sales at Barnes and Noble. Sales, hopefully, will get better.

2) The Bad:

Carol Barbee recently stated that two endings have been filmed for Season 2.
One alternative ending will show where the show would go in a Season 3. The other ending, she says, “gives you a huge mythology so that you understand so much about what has happened."

According to Rich (and I agree)"Alternative endings mean exactly what one might think. Jericho’s continuation on CBS is about as certain as the day it was first placed on the bubble."

Think about that. No certainty of a Season 3. What would we do then?

3) The Ugly:

I will let Rich's statement about this speak for itself:

"If there is any distraction from promoting DVD sales at the moment, it comes in the form that frequently surfaces from the fan base. Someone places too much weight on their own shoulders, distracting otherwise like-minded fans.

It’s the kind of story worth following up on when you’re tracking the promise and pitfalls of spontaneous consumer marketing efforts. Jericho fans are not alone. If there is any reoccurring theme in the scheme of social media, it is in the abundance of people who suddenly find themselves in the semi-public spotlight without any real leadership training. Here’s one tip I picked up almost a decade ago …

“Angels have wings because they take themselves lightly.”



I used to believe we all wanted the same thing- Season 3 of Jericho. I don't believe that anymore. That's sad to say but, while there are angels among us, there are some devils too.