australian television information archive

Nine drama Sea Patrol to premiere online

The Nine Network's new big budget ocean drama Sea Patrol will premiere online three days before it hits the TV screens.

In a first for a new Australian drama, Sea Patrol will be available to download for free from the website www.seapatrol.ninemsn.com.au from Monday, July 2 at 6pm.

The show, which stars Lisa McCune and is shot on real naval patrol boats, starts July 5 on Nine.

But the network is hoping an increased online presence and direct audience-to-show interaction on the internet will translate to more viewers.

advertisement Nine's director of drama Jo Horsborough said the online element of the show would "expand the television experience" for viewers by offering more than they could see on TV.

After the first free episode airs, the following 12 episodes of the series will be available online immediately after it appears on Nine.

Each episode will cost $1.95 to download and only be available to view on the computer which downloaded it for five days.

The website will bring extra value to potential fans of the series which has cost more than $1.2 million an episode to make.

Other features will include a video blog from members of the fictitious HMAS Hammersley's crew and a "making of Sea Patrol" video diary filmed and narrated by cast member Josh Lawson.

The relationship between TV programs and online users is a rapidly evolving advertising and marketing tool for the networks.

All major networks now offer either special interactive features, sneak previews or entire episodes online to help viewers catch-up on episodes they may have missed or simply promote the next episode.

June 22, 2007
AAP