Free Heroes Pilot on iTunes Sept. 1!

NBC released the following announcement about its intentions in promoting the network's new superhero drama "Heroes":

NBC's marketing in the digital arena takes a new turn as the network expands its corporate partnerships with National CineMedia, Nissan and Apple's iTunes to cross-promote its new Fall drama "Heroes" by finding new ways to incorporate the products into scripts organically and offering consumers the chance to be the first to see the series.

The announcement was made by John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBC Universal Television Group.

Beginning September 1st, iTunes will offer a free and exclusive download of "Heroes" - in its entirety - in addition to other bonus content from NBC, including series trailers and behind-the-scenes footage from the filming of "Heroes."

"We have an unusual opportunity to team with several excellent corporate partners to let moviegoers be the first to experience this daring new series with its own theatrical feel to it," said Miller. "We want to generate buzz across a variety of platforms long before 'Heroes' ever airs on NBC."

"Once again, NBC is using the cinema to enhance the movie going experience for our patrons with a fun and compelling promotion allowing everybody to have an even better time at the movies," added Cliff Marks, National CineMedia's president of sales and marketing. "Our marketing and content partnership with NBC continues to show how America's two favorite entertainment forums - TV and movies - can team to create exciting consumer engagement opportunities for cinema enthusiasts."

As the exclusive sponsor of the series broadcast premiere, Nissan will present the episode with limited commercial interruption.

Jan Thompson, VP Marketing Nissan North America, related her enthusiasm for the program as part of an ongoing approach for the automaker "This program is just one example of our strategy to engage consumers by delivering content to them in entertaining, high impact environments where we believe the contextual experience is as important as the message."

In advance of the broadcast premiere, NBC and Nissan will also create three million co-branded promotional "Custom Cards" to be distributed exclusively at AMC, Cinemark and Regal Entertainment Group theaters nationwide through box-office handouts. Moviegoers will be encouraged to view the free download and sample the wide-screen appeal of the "Heroes" premiere on iTunes before its broadcast on NBC.

Each co-branded card will feature a unique pin code that NCM patrons can redeem online at a special iTunes NBC Fall Season "preview site" that will provide a free download of "Heroes" plus a backstage look at its filming and the NBC preview trailers of other network series for Fall 2006.

The massive campaign includes a 10-second "First Look" tease produced by National CineMedia that will run on 5,654 digital screens in 428 theaters during August, informing moviegoers to return to the theater in September to obtain their free download card.

To coincide with the in-theater card handouts in September, NBC will air a schedule of co-branded 20-second promos on the network touting the free preview download of "Heroes" on iTunes and NCM, courtesy of Nissan.

In addition, "Heroes" will receive major in-theater play in August with a two-minute and 30-second content piece playing on select AMC, Cinemark and Regal Entertainment Group big screens. Additionally, the series will be represented throughout participating theatres with a 30-second spot featured on NCM's Lobby Entertainment Network plasma screens and will be branded on popcorn bags, among other promotional items, completing the integrated cinema marketing campaign.

From creator/writer Tim Kring (NBC's "Crossing Jordan"), "Heroes" (Mondays, 9-10 p.m. ET beginning this Fall) is an epic drama that chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities.

I just found this new article. Interview with Greg Grunberg, Masi Oka, and Tim Kring

Nice article! Thanks for posting it polia!

You're welcome... I'll be looking for more.

I found this from TV Week.com

NBC has given a full-season order to its freshman Monday drama "Heroes." NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly announced the order Thursday.

NBC is touting the 9 p.m. (ET) "Heroes" as the No. 1 debuting show this season so far in adults 18 to 49, tied with ABC's drama "Brothers & Sisters." The ensemble drama, which profiles a group of ordinary people who are slowly discovering they have extraordinary powers, has also improved NBC's fortunes on Monday night.

"'Heroes' has delivered exceptional ratings since its premiere, and we're even more impressed with the quality of the upcoming episodes," Mr. Reilly said in a statement. "We have complete confidence in creator-executive producer Tim Kring. The best is yet to come over the course of a full season with this newest drama sensation."

Joining Mr. Kring as executive producers are Dennis Hammer and Allan Arkush ("Crossing Jordan"). "Heroes" is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio.

The network had no comment on published reports that its struggling Wednesday 10 p.m. drama, "Kidnapped," which has steadily declined in the ratings since its premiere, may be headed toward cancellation.

If you have missed the last epi, or any epis from now on, NBC will be streaming them 24/7. NBC.com-Heroes

I found this cool little Heroes site, you can find clips, pics and info on upcoming epis. There is also a competition that is being run by NBC, check it out. TV.com - Heroes.

Enjoy.

Well I went to download the free pilot episode and I found out that NBC was being sued by the company that manufactured the garbage disposal used in a scene where the cheerleader is testing her powers of regeneration. So....... no free pilot ep until the suit is settled! Bummer.

Can you imagine that? Unbelievable!

You'd think they would want the free advertising!?

Exactly!

And anyway, the disposal did what it was supposed to do. Would they rather it hadn't worked, and be branded as faulty?

I realised recently that the Pilot wasn't free also, I wondered why...

You know, I wonder if the makers of the movie "Firestarter" avoided filming the 'garbage disposal' scene from Stephen King's book for this same reason.
Poor garbage disposal companies, they have such a bad image!

This smells like a publicity stunt. Opportunists trying to profit off the popularity of a new hit series.

Or maybe, I'm just a skeptic.

Hey I heard they are doing a mini-marathon on Oct. 22nd at 8pm...3 eps in a row.

You're right, WildB. The back-back episodes are great for us fans who may have missed a few things, and for new fans to get caught up!

you guys are lucky! I wish it was being aired here..

Hopefully, you'll get it soon!

I hope so too. I've been trying to tell people about it, but it's not the same.

Are you watching it online then?

Yeah...

At least nowdays you can watch tv shows online.

Yeah, but that's only if my cnnection is good.. which it norally isn't..

Ah, that's rough.

Well that's a bummer then.

Has Heroes cracked the Lost formula?

Interesting article about it at BuddyTV.

Hmm they do have a good point in that article. LOST only gives us more questions and certainly not enough answers, lately. I mean I love that show too, but they are right. This at least is slowly revealing something every episode here.

I agree. They're revealing something every episode, and still managing to keep up in suspense.

Yep that is exactly right.

Hopefully, tomorrow more answers will be revealed.

They are showing Heroes Friday nights on the Sci-Fi channel at 7/6 central.

I instantly became hooked on this show from the first episode. I paricularly am a fan of Masi Oka's character, who plays Hiro.

I recently read a review by a blogger who's an avid fan of reality television, and is now hooked on Heroes. Check it out: here.

And here is a very interesting blog entry in response to the previous blog written by Tim Kring himself: at MediaVillage.com.

Thanks for the link to Tim Kring's blog response. It was interesting to see what he was saying. I figured so much but I guess others did not understand what he was trying to show with Mohinder.

Sci-fi is having a HEROES marathon today starting at 6pm ET. I am setting my recorder. It starts with the very first episode.

Very cool for you Sci-fi viewers!

Watching the marathon now

Upcoming tv appearances for cast.

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, syndicated
Mon 12/4: Masi Oka, Ali Larter, Hayden Panettiere, Sendhil Ramamurthy

The Megan Mullally Show
Mon 12/4: Adrian Pasdar

I just watched the Megan Mullaly show. She had a brief behind the scenes on the set of Heroes. She talked with Adrian and Masi and they were goofing around. Then she was talking with Sendhil and Greg. They said they have nicknames on the set. Sendhil said as a child everyone called him "Sandle" instead. Well now he said the cast upgraded him to "Flip Flop." Greg is called the "Big Cop".

I saw the epsiode of Ellen. It was so great, they were all super charming. Especially, Hayden, who was adorable, and Sendhil, who was super embarassed, as Masi was talking about how all the ladies love Sendhil.

On a side note, someone I know met Masi and Milo when they were in NY doing the talk show circuit, and said that they were super nice. She said that Milo seemed really shy

Milo does seem very shy from the interviews I have seen him in.
I do love Sendhil...or Flip Flop as they call him on the set.

I found out from FF that Heroes is goin gto be aired here in Australia in Feb. You ladies have no idea how happy I am about that.

I will be back with exact details!!

I just checked the channel 7 site and it says: Heroes, coming soon on 7 in 07! YaaaaaaaaaaaY!!!

Glad you are finally going to get it.

Me too!!

Congrats!

Golden Globe nominations:

Best Television Series - Drama
24 (FOX)
Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox Television i.a.w. Real Time Prods.

Big Love (HBO)
Anima Sola and Playtone Prods. i.a.w. HBO Entertainment

Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Touchstone Television;

Heroes (NBC)
NBC Universal Television Studios i.a.w. Tailwind Prods.

Lost (ABC)
Touchstone Television

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Thomas Haden Church – Broken Trail (AMC)

Jeremy Irons – Elizabeth I (HBO)

Justin Kirk – Weeds (SHOWTIME)

Masi Oka – Heroes (NBC)

Jeremy Piven – Entourage (HBO)

Congrats to Heroes for their 2 nominations for the 2007 Golden Globe Awards:

Series, Drama: "24," Fox; "Big Love," HBO; "Grey's Anatomy," ABC; "Heroes," NBC; "Lost," ABC

Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden Church, "Broken Trail"; Jeremy Irons, "Elizabeth I"; Justin Kirk, "Weeds"; Masi Oka, "Heroes"; Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"

Congrats to Heroes for being a People's Choice Nominee for Favorite New TV Drama!

You can cast your vote HERE.

Some tough competition! 24 was great this year too but Heroes still stands a good chance and I think Masi is a lock for supporting character!

I think Heroes has a great shot in both categories!

Hey everyone, good news!!!

NBC RENEWS HIT SERIES 'HEROES' FOR FULL SEASON OF EPISODES IN 2007-08

NBC Press Release