Last night, NBC helped promote its corporate sibling Universal Orlando's new Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley with an hour-long primetime special on the making of the new land. I haven't found yet a full video of the episode online, but here's a clip from the network:
I can't recall a theme park company in recent years doing so much to promote its creative talent on a recent project. Obviously, Universal and Disney enjoy a huge promotional advantage over other theme park companies in that they are part of corporations that own major broadcast networks. And Disney has promoted its theme parks via its networks even more aggressively than NBCUniversal has. (I've long ago lost count of the number of ABC and ESPN shows that have filmed episodes at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.)
But Disney's long had an attitude toward its theme park creative talent that, as Imagineer Marty Sklar has said, "there's only one name on the door, and it's not yours." When Disney does promote its Imagineers, that tends to happen at the end of their careers, with Disney Legend status and Main Street window ceremonies. I can't recall Disney giving primetime access to an Imagineer to talk about his or her work on a current project since Walt himself was hosting the original Disneyland TV show.
According to the Nielsen overnight ratings, the special reached about 3 million viewers, for an 0.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic. That put the show in last place among programs on the big four networks last night. But still, that's three million people.
Will NBC's promotion of its creative talent expose more young viewers to themed entertainment design in any significant way? Will it lead to any change in the perception of Universal Creative relative to Walt Disney Imagineering among those who follow this industry?
If you missed the special, or just want to hear more from Universal Creative's leaders, we've got highlights from their recent media day press conference on the making of Diagon Alley:
And you can take take a look at the finished product with our video tour of Diagon Alley:
Previously:
(the HP special is on my DVR, but haven't had a chance to watch yet... looking forward to it. Wonder how much it will go up in Live+3 ratings.)
I feel small. My theme park hobby, my passion did not even register a blip on the radar of the American psyche last night. How sad.
At least NBC recovered nicely in the 9:00 hour when a repeat of American Ninja Warrior pulled a 1.4 rating and restored public interest in the much maligned network for a couple of hours. (That's sarcasm, in case you missed it).
Sheesh.
I watched this and It was amazing, awesome, almost unreal...
Plus you have to remember - what % of the Theme Park demographic watched this..
Most older folks could care less about Diagon Alley and watch an old Matlock instead...
@Brian Even the theme park demographic didn't show up to watch the special last night! 2.96 million viewers overall, with .7 being in the 18 - 49 demo (the show was adjusted down today), that total is pathetic - NOBODY watched. Not even Harry Potter fans. Maybe people just don't watch NBC? Can you blame 'em? Other than Blacklist (and American Ninja Warrior, of course), does NBC have any good shows!?! What happened to Family Ties, Cheers, Night Court, and the Cosby Show???? ;)
I know it's the lamp behind him, but in the still of the video, at first glance, it sure looks like he's sporting the competition's headgear.
Side note on NBC they actually posted the highest ratings this past season for the networks
However, what is hurtful to us theme park fans is the fact that NBC's Harry Potter programming on Monday, June 30, 2014, was a complete swing and a miss. =(
Oh wait. I just checked the calendar. Where did the time go?
Now if only CBS could buy Cedar Fair, we'd have something special.
Parks and Recreation is the only NBC show that my husband and I religiously watch. Otherwise, I guess our household has fallen victim to the cable giants -- AMC, HBO, ESPN, and HGTV get all of the love in our house these days.
I will add, though, that I tuned into The Today Show and Jimmy Fallon recently for all of the Diagon Alley hype, so I'll give NBC its props for that. Sometimes, marketing works. :)
http://youtu.be/6TuAocXuE24
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I hope it is re-broadcast on the web somewhere.