
NBC and Clear Channel have struck a deal to turn five of their stations into "CHUCK-FM" according to Business WireAlso in these markets, from 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., stars of a new NBC fall show "Chuck" are taking over the airwaves to discuss their new show. During these hours, all five stations will refer to themselves as "Chuck-FM," and Zach Levi and Josh Gomez (who play Chuck and Morgan respectively) will introduce all station content reports (news, traffic, weather, sports) with no other commercial breaks or advertisers running concurrently.
The stations involved are: WHTZ-FM (Z100) in New York, KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, KYLD-FM in San Francisco, WKSC-FM in Chicago, and WIOQ-FM in PhiladelphiaFor the entire day on September 24th, those five stations will air nothing but NBC ads, as well as extra content like vignettes and exclusive content, mostly focusing on Chuck and Journeyman.
The lines of advertising are blurring more every day. Product placement is getting headlines, everybody is talking about how to reach people in new and innovative ways. Is this the first of a new trend? Television has allowed single sponsors to "take over" a program with them before, so it seems natural for radio to do the same. But will viewers respond to it at all? Specifically when you consider that September 24th is the day that Chuck is set to premiere. Is that getting the word out in time, or catering to people who are already planning to watch the show?
And how much money did this cost NBC? I imagine it must have been a tidy sum. All I know is I'm very happy I don't live in any of the five markets. I subscribe to satellite radio to get away from obnoxious ads that play repeatedly, so I know this particular campaign would make me less likely to watch.
This post was Authored by Elizabeth, Our Resident Authority on all things Chuck
Posted by Rodney Brazeau at September 19, 2007 9:28 PM
You should listen to one of the stations today (I'm listening to KIIS right now) - as there is actually far less advertising than would normally be the case. It's like a single sponsor tv show where there are limited commercials. And the ads are pretty funny - so far . . .
Posted by: Tim at September 24, 2007 10:34
Sadly I missed it because I don't live in any of the target markets (why they didn't hit D.C. with promos for a spy show, I'll never know). As long as it wasn't similar to the "limited commercial interruption" on Heroes last night. If I saw that Nissan Rogue commercial one more time I think I was going to go crazy.
Posted by: Elizabeth at September 25, 2007 09:19