Broadcasters will introduce 52 new scripted series throughout the 2013-2012 season, from shows taking off on "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to a drama about an android ("Almost Human") and a comedy about the 80s ("The Goldbergs").
But last year's survival rate for new shows was a harsh 10 out of 37. (We may or may not miss you, "1600 Penn," "Last Resort," "666 Park Avenue" and "Go On.") And with increasing competition from cable and digital platforms, it's become critical for broadcasters to generate buzz for new series early.
So in addition to endless promotion on their own airwaves and paid ads in media such as bus shelters, billboards and "Entertainment Weekly," the big networks are rolling out everything from wandering Headless Horsemen to tie-in yogurt flavors.
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine": Fox took over the Jay Street/Metro Tech subway stop in Brooklyn to promote its new Brooklyn cop comedy, offering free subway rides to commuters on the morning of the premiere. Passers-by on the streets above also got free coffee and donuts.
"Sleepy Hollow": Headless Horseman roamed the streets of New York ahead of the premiere of "Sleepy Hollow." Fox put a bulk of marketing muscle behind the new drama, setting up a "Sleepy Hollow" experience in Madison Square Park in New York City, where visitors could tour the old creepy bridge and battle with the Horseman.