American TV gets serious
Instead of sitcoms, people who tuned to NBC last night got Schindler's List. Spielberg's depiction of the Holocaust was shown without traditional commercial breaks in a deal between NBC and Ford, which only ran ads at the film's start and end; it also included its badge on a clock which appeared occasionally during brief breaks in which viewers could make their usual urgent domestic visits. If forecasts are borne out, more Americans saw the film than during its entire run in US cinemas after its release in 1994. Then, some 25 million paid to see the film. Last night's audience was expected to top 30 million.
David Usborne -New York
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments