This isn't your normal sort of "TV-on-DVD news," but should still be of interest to most of you.
Video Business trade magazine reports that a "sneak peek" DVD promoting and previewing the upcoming CBS fall season will be made available shortly at Blockbuster Video stores, and additionally be distributed by American Airlines and in the 9/15 issue of
Entertainment Weekly.
Here are the highlights of
VB's article by Pamela McClintock:
SEPT. 10 | NEW YORK--Viacom Inc.-owned CBS has lined up several major sponsors--including sister companies Blockbuster Video and Paramount Home Entertainment--to help sell the network's fall TV schedule...The disc will be available at thousands of Blockbuster stores.
...Separately, more than 25,000 American Airline flights are showing a special fall preview featuring Paramount TV-distributed Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart as part of the "CBS Eye on American" package.
...CBS' plan to lure viewers to its fall lineup, which bows the week of Sept. 22, also enlists the net's Viacom-owned cable sisters as well as CBS' owned-and-operated TV stations.
The sneak-peek DVD was produced by CBS and Blockbuster. For the first two weeks of September, the disc also is being distributed on American Airlines flights between New York and Los Angeles. Elsewhere, it will be bundled with the Sept. 15 issue of Entertainment Weekly.
The DVD offers five- to six-minute previews of the Eye's six new skeins as well as behind-the-scenes look at the CSI franchise, including an exclusive interview with Jerry Bruckheimer, executive producer of CSI, CSI: Miami, Without a Trace and new drama Cold Case.
There also will be an original music video headlining veteran rockers the Who, who do theme songs for both CSI shows, plus a CSI interactive game.
According to CBS, an estimated 64% of the U.S. population lives within a 10-minute drive of a Blockbuster store. The DVD, which CBS will promote through a series of on-air spots, will be available in more than 5,500 locations.
Nifty, to be sure! Take the time to read
the full article (free registration required) to see more about how this ties in to everyone's marketing plans, both in and out of the Viacom group of companies.
What six new skeins ("yarns," a.k.a. shows) will be featured on this disc?
Video Business doesn't spell it out, but the six new shows CBS is promoting elsewhere are
Cold Case, Navy NCIS (the
JAG spin-off),
The Handler, Joan of Arcadia, Two and a Half Men, and
The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H. 
