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Stop the press! Who fancies some 'NCIS'?
Published Thursday, Sep 25 2008, 14:42 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 20 comments
FX is wasting no time in getting the season premiere of NCIS on the air over here. The opener to season six, which began in the US on Tuesday, will air here this Sunday at 9pm. (Update: although frustratingly, it seems, the rest of the season will then be kept back until early '09)
It looks like UK networks have finally started to realise the necessity of airing US shows on a fast turnaround basis. Sky1 is well-versed in the practice, doing so with staples such as Lost, 24, Prison Break and the soon-to-start Fringe, but others are following suit this season too.
As previously revealed on Tube Talk, the new season of Desperate Housewives begins on Channel 4 next month, with a delay of just three weeks on US broadcast (exact TX details over on The PLP).
Heroes is also back on BBC Two and Three next week, with a delay of just nine days on US TX.
There are some notable exceptions, though. ITV2 is keeping back Gossip Girl and Supernatural until January, preferring to air the season in full, without any breaks. Five does likewise with CSI and House, and as for when E4 will get round to the new season ofSmallville - well, your guess is as good as mine.
Perhaps the biggest offender of all is Grey's Anatomy, which starts its fifth season in the US tonight but has only just begun its fourth season here on Living.
What do you think? Do you want your shows now, with the possibility of interruption, or would you prefer to wait a few months longer? And which shows really should be on air sooner? Add your comments to this entry below!
It looks like UK networks have finally started to realise the necessity of airing US shows on a fast turnaround basis. Sky1 is well-versed in the practice, doing so with staples such as Lost, 24, Prison Break and the soon-to-start Fringe, but others are following suit this season too.
As previously revealed on Tube Talk, the new season of Desperate Housewives begins on Channel 4 next month, with a delay of just three weeks on US broadcast (exact TX details over on The PLP).
Heroes is also back on BBC Two and Three next week, with a delay of just nine days on US TX.
There are some notable exceptions, though. ITV2 is keeping back Gossip Girl and Supernatural until January, preferring to air the season in full, without any breaks. Five does likewise with CSI and House, and as for when E4 will get round to the new season of
Perhaps the biggest offender of all is Grey's Anatomy, which starts its fifth season in the US tonight but has only just begun its fourth season here on Living.
What do you think? Do you want your shows now, with the possibility of interruption, or would you prefer to wait a few months longer? And which shows really should be on air sooner? Add your comments to this entry below!
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20 Comments
Your Responses
Paddy, Coventry, on September 30th, 2008
Why has Rescue Me season 4 not been shown yet!!!!! (Because Sky1 ditched it.... -Neil)
Why has Rescue Me season 4 not been shown yet!!!!! (Because Sky1 ditched it.... -Neil)
Carl Waring, on September 28th, 2008
Hmm. This is a difficult one. Of course it would be nice to see US shows as quick as possible, but then I'd also prefer to see them in one complete run (a la CSI and House in the story above) rather than broken up with re-runs, which is what would happen if they were to be shown very close to the US airings
Hmm. This is a difficult one. Of course it would be nice to see US shows as quick as possible, but then I'd also prefer to see them in one complete run (a la CSI and House in the story above) rather than broken up with re-runs, which is what would happen if they were to be shown very close to the US airings
Shaun, Manchester, on September 28th, 2008
i think sooner the better as most USA programmes can be downloaded if you are into that and with the law becoming more titter i reckon sooner as if you download you may not watch on TV so sooner and the channels may get more viewing figgers after all why download if you can see it with in a week also it can help to avoid leeks from bloggs that have seen it
i think sooner the better as most USA programmes can be downloaded if you are into that and with the law becoming more titter i reckon sooner as if you download you may not watch on TV so sooner and the channels may get more viewing figgers after all why download if you can see it with in a week also it can help to avoid leeks from bloggs that have seen it
Ian, Bolton, on September 27th, 2008
Like Phil below - If you think Grey's Anatomy is bad, the series Numb3rs which is usually shown by ITV2 is about to start Series 5 in the US. Over here we've only just finished Series 3. Series 4 is acquired apparently, but no plans as to when it will be shown yet. Personally, I do prefer the Five way of showing the US shows without a break for midseason, but over a series or two behind is just ridiculous
Like Phil below - If you think Grey's Anatomy is bad, the series Numb3rs which is usually shown by ITV2 is about to start Series 5 in the US. Over here we've only just finished Series 3. Series 4 is acquired apparently, but no plans as to when it will be shown yet. Personally, I do prefer the Five way of showing the US shows without a break for midseason, but over a series or two behind is just ridiculous
Cam, Scotland, on September 27th, 2008
Doesn't really affect me as I gave up long ago expecting to get UK channels to respect their viewers by showing new seasons soon after the US. Now download on a daily basis those shows I am interested in. The channels lose out but due to them being run by the marketing department they don't realise this.
Doesn't really affect me as I gave up long ago expecting to get UK channels to respect their viewers by showing new seasons soon after the US. Now download on a daily basis those shows I am interested in. The channels lose out but due to them being run by the marketing department they don't realise this.
Phil, Hampshire, on September 27th, 2008
Grey's Anatomy is bad? All of the Law and Order franchises are two to three years behind in being shown over here, and that's only counting the channels which get them first.
Grey's Anatomy is bad? All of the Law and Order franchises are two to three years behind in being shown over here, and that's only counting the channels which get them first.
Tony, Leeds, on September 26th, 2008
Hallelujah. Season 3 of the closer finally coming to More 4 this October and Season 3 of Crimnal Minds on Virgin 1 next week! When is NCIS Season 5 coming to five?
Hallelujah. Season 3 of the closer finally coming to More 4 this October and Season 3 of Crimnal Minds on Virgin 1 next week! When is NCIS Season 5 coming to five?
Lee, NI, on September 26th, 2008
Dexter is just as bad as Grey's Anatomy, Season 2 just finished on FX and the Third starts this week in the US. Expect Prison Break to take a 2 or 3 week break in October due to MLB Playoffs and World Series.
Dexter is just as bad as Grey's Anatomy, Season 2 just finished on FX and the Third starts this week in the US. Expect Prison Break to take a 2 or 3 week break in October due to MLB Playoffs and World Series.
Lo, West Country, on September 26th, 2008
Greys bugs the hell out of me. For such a big show to be so far behind is ridiculous. Maybe the shared viewing rights between Living and Five don't help either, ie Five having to repeat the season before a new one can air - why can't Living crack on with Season 5 in the Spring, for instance, whilst Five air Season 4 - a bit behind and admittedly unfair for non-digital viewers, but at least still airing whilst Living can be up to date? Fans of the excellent but seldom-mentioned The Closer will be pleased to hear Season 3 starts next week on More 4 (why not on the PLP? - I only found out by chance flicking through a TV mag) - we're a year behind with that too, and it's been stuck in a graveyard slot on the digital channel with no publicity. Why?? Last thing - I think the strike this year really helped US-UK airings in a lot of cases. When we started House for example, we were about 4 months/12 episodes behind, but where as they were stuck waiting for new episodes, we caught up and so ended the season only 4 weeks behind instead of the usual 4 months! And as much as people seem to hate Sky, you have to give them credit for their fast turnarounds - Lost within 4 days (remember how awful that used to be on C4?) and Prison Break next-day service. Okay, rant over! :D
Greys bugs the hell out of me. For such a big show to be so far behind is ridiculous. Maybe the shared viewing rights between Living and Five don't help either, ie Five having to repeat the season before a new one can air - why can't Living crack on with Season 5 in the Spring, for instance, whilst Five air Season 4 - a bit behind and admittedly unfair for non-digital viewers, but at least still airing whilst Living can be up to date? Fans of the excellent but seldom-mentioned The Closer will be pleased to hear Season 3 starts next week on More 4 (why not on the PLP? - I only found out by chance flicking through a TV mag) - we're a year behind with that too, and it's been stuck in a graveyard slot on the digital channel with no publicity. Why?? Last thing - I think the strike this year really helped US-UK airings in a lot of cases. When we started House for example, we were about 4 months/12 episodes behind, but where as they were stuck waiting for new episodes, we caught up and so ended the season only 4 weeks behind instead of the usual 4 months! And as much as people seem to hate Sky, you have to give them credit for their fast turnarounds - Lost within 4 days (remember how awful that used to be on C4?) and Prison Break next-day service. Okay, rant over! :D
Cy Bones, Kent, on September 26th, 2008
I expect that before long some shows will be shown on the day after the US or even the day before - if only the time zones were the same then simultaneous broadcasts would be possible (apart from all the ad breaks!). I think it will take UK viewers a little longer to get used to the mid season break but it has to be good not only for the viewers but also for the broadcasters who will keep the majority of viewers rather than losing more and more to "other viewing sources". I think that a true US channel timeslipped by 8 hours or so would make interesting viewing!
I expect that before long some shows will be shown on the day after the US or even the day before - if only the time zones were the same then simultaneous broadcasts would be possible (apart from all the ad breaks!). I think it will take UK viewers a little longer to get used to the mid season break but it has to be good not only for the viewers but also for the broadcasters who will keep the majority of viewers rather than losing more and more to "other viewing sources". I think that a true US channel timeslipped by 8 hours or so would make interesting viewing!
Anne, on September 25th, 2008
If you ask me Living are going to be the biggest Losers. I've bought the entire 4th season on DVD from the US so won't be tuning in at all, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. It's frustrating waiting but as always I think we have to give the UK broadcasters time to come to their senses, whioch Sky and the BBC appear to have done, blimey even C4 are getting it. I'm sure five will twig on soon. Personally I am willing to put up with seaon hiatus in order to get my fave shows months quicker, surely the stations will benefit as well.
If you ask me Living are going to be the biggest Losers. I've bought the entire 4th season on DVD from the US so won't be tuning in at all, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. It's frustrating waiting but as always I think we have to give the UK broadcasters time to come to their senses, whioch Sky and the BBC appear to have done, blimey even C4 are getting it. I'm sure five will twig on soon. Personally I am willing to put up with seaon hiatus in order to get my fave shows months quicker, surely the stations will benefit as well.
Steven, Scotland, on September 25th, 2008
Law and Order: Criminal Intent is pretty bad on hallmark, its 3 or 4 years behind the US. Even worse are shows that get shown almost at random with no warning such as BBC2's treatment of Monk.
Law and Order: Criminal Intent is pretty bad on hallmark, its 3 or 4 years behind the US. Even worse are shows that get shown almost at random with no warning such as BBC2's treatment of Monk.
Jimmy, Bucks, on September 25th, 2008
I rather see US shows over here days after there US TX
I rather see US shows over here days after there US TX
Sandi, Scotland, on September 25th, 2008
I'm a Supernatural fan and i find it very annoying that they hold back the show when there is so much unavoidable information on the internet. It spoils it when you know what will happen long before it airs. (Sorry about that! -?Neil) I'll be watching online.
I'm a Supernatural fan and i find it very annoying that they hold back the show when there is so much unavoidable information on the internet. It spoils it when you know what will happen long before it airs. (Sorry about that! -?Neil) I'll be watching online.
Rob, Hinckley, on September 25th, 2008
The other commenters are indeed correct on this, FX are 'teasing' us with the first episode only (I'm not sure I'm altogther happy about that) and we still have to wait until next SPRING for the full series. There are worse offenders out there than Living with Greys Anatomy, we are now over a year behind on the likes of FNL, 30 Rock and The Office and don't get me started on those channels that show a series then drop it (so we may NEVER see it) like Five did with Big Love and Sky One recently did with the last series of Las Vegas.
The other commenters are indeed correct on this, FX are 'teasing' us with the first episode only (I'm not sure I'm altogther happy about that) and we still have to wait until next SPRING for the full series. There are worse offenders out there than Living with Greys Anatomy, we are now over a year behind on the likes of FNL, 30 Rock and The Office and don't get me started on those channels that show a series then drop it (so we may NEVER see it) like Five did with Big Love and Sky One recently did with the last series of Las Vegas.
Matt, London, on September 25th, 2008
But when when when is Friday Night Lights coming.... we're soooo far behind ....
But when when when is Friday Night Lights coming.... we're soooo far behind ....
Philip, Cambridge, on September 25th, 2008
You are incorrect that season six is airing starting on Sunday. Only episode 1 is being shown. The rest of the season is scheduled for 2009.
You are incorrect that season six is airing starting on Sunday. Only episode 1 is being shown. The rest of the season is scheduled for 2009.
Anon, UK, on September 25th, 2008
With the proliferation of US TV shows being available to download via the internet within 24 hours of showing in the US, surely the UK networks have to start showing things earlier. Otherwise, hearing about hyped new shows, or new seasons or existing shows, is just going to result in viewers getting tired of waiting and turning to the web for their TV fix.
With the proliferation of US TV shows being available to download via the internet within 24 hours of showing in the US, surely the UK networks have to start showing things earlier. Otherwise, hearing about hyped new shows, or new seasons or existing shows, is just going to result in viewers getting tired of waiting and turning to the web for their TV fix.
Becky, UK, on September 25th, 2008
You may want to check your facts re: NCIS. FX are only scheduled to show the season opener. The rest of the series is not due to show (and I quote the trailer shown in last Sunday's episode) for another SIX MONTHS
You may want to check your facts re: NCIS. FX are only scheduled to show the season opener. The rest of the series is not due to show (and I quote the trailer shown in last Sunday's episode) for another SIX MONTHS
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I watched the Season 6 NCIS opener and really it served as a cap off to season 5. Resolved the major cliffhanger and left a small one hanging. It really isn't as big an issue as it might seem that they are leaving a gap.