Colorado Media Newsroom
December 4th, 2013, 12:17 PM
From The Denver Post:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/wp-content/blogs.dir/49/files/2013/12/musiclive-495x330.jpg
The live three-hour broadcast of “The Sound of Music” on NBC Dec. 5 will cost some $9 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. But the price tag is mostly irrelevant since the show is in line with the network’s stated intention to “eventize” — horrible word — more TV.
That is, by making an “event” out of the telecast, NBC hopes to draw more eyeballs to the screen in real time, which is still broadcasting’s unique ability. Walmart is the exclusive sponsor (another way to sell the show as an “event”). And with a huge promotional blitz accompanied by DVD and music sales, plus planned repeat broadcasts, NBC aims not only to make its money back, but to create an enduring show that will keep giving to the bottom line for years.
With Carrie Underwood as Maria, “True Blood’s” Stephen Moyer as Capt. Von Trapp, Broadway heavyweight Audra Mcdonald as the Mother Abbess and Christian Borle (“Smash”) as Max, and with Broadway adaptation masters Neil Meron and Craig Zadan (“Hairspray,” “Chicago”) as producers, the show has the potential to become not just a hit but, NBC hopes, a holiday perennial. Right up there with Rudolph.
The NBC version is based on the original 1959 Broadway play that starred Mary Martin, not the 1965 movie with Julie Andrews. The darker themes of prejudice and the political vibe of the Nazis taking over Austria beam through more than in the movie.
A note on what “live” really means: the acting and singing will be live but the orchestra is pre-recorded, so the actors sing to a track. Also, the show will be delayed an hour for this time zone, so it will be “live to tape,” from 7-10 p.m., on KUSA in Denver. (It’s airing 8-11 p.m. ET).
More... (http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/2013/12/04/nbc-banks-on-sound-of-music-live-broadcast-dec-5/17197/)
http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/wp-content/blogs.dir/49/files/2013/12/musiclive-495x330.jpg
The live three-hour broadcast of “The Sound of Music” on NBC Dec. 5 will cost some $9 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. But the price tag is mostly irrelevant since the show is in line with the network’s stated intention to “eventize” — horrible word — more TV.
That is, by making an “event” out of the telecast, NBC hopes to draw more eyeballs to the screen in real time, which is still broadcasting’s unique ability. Walmart is the exclusive sponsor (another way to sell the show as an “event”). And with a huge promotional blitz accompanied by DVD and music sales, plus planned repeat broadcasts, NBC aims not only to make its money back, but to create an enduring show that will keep giving to the bottom line for years.
With Carrie Underwood as Maria, “True Blood’s” Stephen Moyer as Capt. Von Trapp, Broadway heavyweight Audra Mcdonald as the Mother Abbess and Christian Borle (“Smash”) as Max, and with Broadway adaptation masters Neil Meron and Craig Zadan (“Hairspray,” “Chicago”) as producers, the show has the potential to become not just a hit but, NBC hopes, a holiday perennial. Right up there with Rudolph.
The NBC version is based on the original 1959 Broadway play that starred Mary Martin, not the 1965 movie with Julie Andrews. The darker themes of prejudice and the political vibe of the Nazis taking over Austria beam through more than in the movie.
A note on what “live” really means: the acting and singing will be live but the orchestra is pre-recorded, so the actors sing to a track. Also, the show will be delayed an hour for this time zone, so it will be “live to tape,” from 7-10 p.m., on KUSA in Denver. (It’s airing 8-11 p.m. ET).
More... (http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/2013/12/04/nbc-banks-on-sound-of-music-live-broadcast-dec-5/17197/)