Sci Fi UK to air new Dollhouse episodes before Fox? - Dollhouse

This site will work and look better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

October 27 2009

Sci Fi UK to air new Dollhouse episodes before Fox? The official website of UK's Sci FI channel lists Dollhouse episodes 2x05-2x07 in its schedule for November, when the show will be on hiatus in the US.

Of course, it's possible that Sci FI just didn't update their website or it could change. We shall see. However, as for now, 'The Public Eye' is supposed to air on November 10th with 'The Left Hand' and 'A Love Supreme' following it on the 17th and 24th.

Anuris | Dollhouse | 13:26 CET | 47 comments total | tags: sci fi uk, dollhouse

HAHA! IN YOUR FACE AMERICA.

Now if only I had the Sci Fi channel.

Sparticus | October 27, 13:33 CET

Hmm, I wonder how this will turn out...

Surely Fox doesn't want the episodes to be all over the torrent sites weeks before they hit the airwaves is the US. Or maybe they don't care anymore at this point (with the show being practically dead anyway)?

Anuris | October 27, 13:35 CET

Last we heard Sci Fi is only allowed to air episodes one day in advance, right? Or was there an update on that that I missed?

My guess is their homepage is not up to date.

wiesengrund | October 27, 13:37 CET

*choke* WHAAA? Holy Jesus, I hope it's true! The prospect of six weeks without Dollhouse was just starting to dawn on me- it'd be pretty damn fantastic if I could avoid that all together...

FruityOatySaladbar | October 27, 13:40 CET

This is a sure sign that Britannia is resurgent, we should totally start reclaiming the Empire. Bagsey Illinois.

And yeah, I also wish I still had Sci-Fi. Though they're pretty cut happy so maybe i'll wait anyway (assuming this isn't just some sort of screw-up which seems fairly likely).

Or maybe they don't care anymore at this point ...

Or maybe they see it as a chance to generate buzz ? To me, the two million people still watching must be fairly hard-core fans who, if they download it at all, are going to watch it on TV too (especially if they're Nielsen viewers) as well as buy the DVDs etc. So it could be it won't affect the numbers too much at this stage anyway.

Saje | October 27, 13:41 CET

I'm guessing, if they leak before their US-Debut, there might even be some very positive effect on the numbers. Like every pilot-leakage, it might generate some awesome buzz about the upcoming episodes.

What's the situation in Canada?

wiesengrund | October 27, 13:47 CET

Last I heard on this matter was people trying to hear back from Sci-Fi's scheduling people... or I think. I'm not even sure what I can remember at this stage, cos I thought I spoke to people saying its going to be on here and not in the states. I dunno.

Jaymii | October 27, 13:49 CET

Anybody following my Twitter will have seen the hints of drama about this.

If they air on BitTorrent first, it could have a bad impact on revenue to FBC. Put it this way: I download Dollhouse, and I don't watch it in the UK on air.

Expect confirmation either way shortly.

gossi | October 27, 13:51 CET

If they air on BitTorrent first, it could have a bad impact on revenue to FBC.

Anyone want to guess how many US people would download it? 20,000?

Simon | October 27, 14:02 CET

No idea Simon. Not even sure how you'd go about a rough, fag packet estimate. Is there any information on download proportion related to audience size ?

Put it this way: I download Dollhouse, and I don't watch it in the UK on air.

You would if you had a BARB box in your house though gossi, right (even if that will barely affect whether Fox renews) ? And you're buying the DVDs too I bet.

Saje | October 27, 14:05 CET

Anyone want to guess how many US people would download it? 20,000?

I think "Epitaph One" (which seems like a comparable scenario in that first week it leaked) went to about 50.000, but then again, I think Dollhouse in general is averaging 50.000, so that doesn't seem to make a difference.

ETA: Wait, no, I probably have no idea what I'm talking about. I'll try to check those numbers.

[ edited by wiesengrund on 2009-10-27 14:08 ]

wiesengrund | October 27, 14:09 CET

Where did you get 50k from wiesengrund ? And do they have a geographical breakdown at that where ?

Saje | October 27, 14:12 CET

As I said in my ETA, I started doubting it the moment I posted it. It was from memory, but memory is tricky thing last I've heard. ;)

wiesengrund | October 27, 14:14 CET

Yeah, posted before I saw your ETA (which may or may not have been after I posted anyway - what the hell is up with the edited times ? I hope we're not time travelling, I get motion sickness).

Saje | October 27, 14:17 CET

It seems I'm not able to track it down. Please ignore everything I said.

wiesengrund | October 27, 14:26 CET

There were between 300,000 and 400,000 estimated downloads (weekly) in February and March, according to TorrentFreak. Can't find info for more recent episodes, though. TF only collects data for BitTorrent and about 90 percent of the downloads are from outside the U.S. (I can't remember where I read that,though. I would have guessed over 95%.) Anyway, link:

http://torrentfreak.com/?s=dollhouse

So 50,000 per episode in the U.S. doesn't seem too off base if you factor in other torrent sites.

fanshawe | October 27, 14:37 CET

The first season estimates were around 300,000 people per episode on torrents. That is worldwide. Obviously the geographical locations would tilt towards the US if it airs abroad first.

Obviously, BitTorrent isn't the end of P2P networks. Limewire and such remain.

The rise of illegal streaming sites (where the owners profit from advertising) is also problematic. Google 'watch dollhouse'.

I'm not saying it would have a big impact. But impact it would have.

gossi | October 27, 14:39 CET

Got doubts that it'll make much difference either way myself but we'll see (or not).

But then, i'm sort of assuming the show's sunk as things currently stand (i.e. going down in the ratings won't make things worse, only going up can make things better) so that basically anything is worth a punt. Is that your feeling too gossi or does it seem to be "on the bubble" at the moment such that e.g. losing 100,000 viewers could make the difference between back 9 or no back 9 ?

Saje | October 27, 15:04 CET

I haven't a clue. I doubt it will actually end airing here first really, the studio would have something to say about it.

gossi | October 27, 15:32 CET

Sunfire | October 27, 15:39 CET

... the studio would have something to say about it.

Buh-but ... we were gonna reclaim the Empire dammit !

Saje | October 27, 15:47 CET

Well if it matters...my friends and I all download or stream it cause it's such a long wait to get it over here and none of us have syfy!! So I'm guessing a decent amount of the torrent downloads would be UK and Ireland...although for the last 2 weeks I found a huge upsurge in spanish subtitled episodes online when downloading!

BlueSkies | October 27, 16:00 CET

I stream it from Australia... otherwise I wouldn't be able to join in on the episode discussions.

mortimer | October 27, 16:06 CET

I live in Portugal and Dollhouse doesn't air in here. I take the liberty of downloading it every week, but I buy the DVD and all so that should count for something, right?

Ricardo Leal | October 27, 16:14 CET

I'm a notorious downloader from Holland, but at least I can say I buy dvd's as well. I just hate waiting for something to finally arrive in my country :(

Krusher | October 27, 16:29 CET

Hi, my name is Jayne's Hat, and I am a downloader.
It has been 4 days since my last download.

Jayne's Hat | October 27, 17:29 CET

FYI, ITV4 has started showing season 1 of Dollhouse. The first episode aired last night (26/10/09) but I don't know how well it was advertised as I just happened to see a trailer last night. But for anyone who has Freeview in the UK it's a good place to start!

twinkle | October 27, 17:29 CET

I really hope this doesn't happen. I don't want to have to spend a MONTH avoiding anything Dollhouse related for fear of future episode spoilers!

AnotherFireflyfan | October 27, 17:41 CET

I usually download them as well. I do buy the DVDs as well. Since I live in the U.K though, I can't be bothered circumnavigating the internet on eggshells trying to avoid spoilers.

Hence why I watch on the U.S schedule. Not like my viewing counts anyway, not U.S and no viewing box.

Aidan W. | October 27, 17:49 CET

I get the feeling that its just a mix up. And if it is true I would take it as the whole 'Fox no longer gives a shit' scenario, which isn't too great.

Progressive_Stupidity | October 27, 18:26 CET

Twitteresque would probably have to be disabled as well, since it would DEFINITELY contain spoilers.

I watch on Hulu (since I opted not to pay for cable). Does anyone know how much my viewing counts? Would it hurt the show if I downloaded it to watch from the UK airing?

AnotherFireflyfan | October 27, 18:35 CET

For info, whatever happens it should be announced tomorrow.

gossi | October 27, 18:49 CET

I think people from Europe and elsewhere may be overestimating the effect of pirated episodes.

Yes, we are used to get new TV series from bittorrent (in Italy we had to wait until September for episode 101, I got my season 1 DVDs from Amazon before the first episode freaking aired!), but I'm guessing US citizens aren't so used to pirate TV episodes, the lucky bastards. ;-)

Still it's a bit sad that Fox pays for these small jewels and then sits on them waiting for the pirates to beat them...

My suggestion: just do official legal torrents, with ads, before the pirates.

Lino | October 27, 18:50 CET

As of Sunday, at any rate and for whatever it might -- or might not -- be worth, FOX publicity was under the assumption they air in the US first.

The One True b!X | October 27, 19:10 CET

I think Sci fi (NBC/Universal, right?) want to show it and Fox didn't realise they'd made a boo boo. I think the studio will have to step in at this point, cause there's no reason for NBC/Universal NOT to show it....

bubblecat | October 27, 19:38 CET

They air Buffy and Angel on the same night. I want Sci-fi UK. Are they calling it sy-fy yet?

AngelDiva | October 27, 19:42 CET

I'm a downloader, also, by the way, but not of Dollhouse. Something crazy within me makes me want to wait and watch it in HD. I'm not sure if its that fact that I love it so much I want to see every detail, or I've just gotten used to it. Whether I download shows, really, seems to be how much it might appeal to others in my house so whether I wait or not... I think. I generally stick the downloaded stuff onto the PS3 and watch it and for the most part - It's better quality than most channels.

I can't imagine how awesome Glee would be in HD, though! E4 over here needs a HD channel! I might have made myself wait some more if that was the case.

Jaymii | October 27, 19:56 CET

*gives a blanket smite to downloaders the foreigners*

This is what happens when they muck up the schedule. Wouldn't everything be solved if they just put Dollhouse on this week?

korkster | October 27, 21:48 CET

I don't download, and I'm pissed. Sick in bed at home all month and no "Dollhouse" to watch.

Nebula1400 | October 27, 22:17 CET

Still, at least you're pissed.

My suggestion: just do official legal torrents, with ads, before the pirates.

It'd take about 2-3 hours before a copy without ads was in circulation. That's digital information for you, easy to manipulate.

Saje | October 27, 22:29 CET

If possible I will download them and watch em live, but I don't count among the US numbers so it doesn't really matter how I watch and enjoy Dollhouse apparently. Grr!

silent knight | October 28, 01:07 CET

Saje said:

It'd take about 2-3 hours before a copy without ads was in circulation.

IMHO if Fox released torrents with ads and politely asked the fans to not remove them and to not download illegal versions without ads, most people would do that.

It worked for pirated anime from Media Factory (IIRC they promised to distribute their series in the US and EU, and asked fans to stop pirating them. Or something.)

Fox should at least try: it would cost them pretty much nothing (unlike Hulu which has very high bandwidth costs).

Lino | October 28, 02:00 CET

According to the schedule here in Canada, Dollhouse is showing on Friday but again, I doubt it is actually going to happen.

Lioness | October 28, 02:17 CET

I have it set to tape just in case Lioness, as I imagine many other Canadians do, but I doubt Global will air it. They do what Fox does, generally. Still, it's early Wednesday and the Guide on my PVR hasn't changed, so we'll see. I mean, we got "Graduation Day Part 2" back in `99 when The WB decided not to air it due to the Columbine Massacre happening a month earlier.

Kris | October 28, 08:26 CET

GlobalTV looks to be showing an episode of Bones in Dollhouse's timeslot.

http://www.globaltv.com/entertainment/schedule/index.html?callsign=CIII&date=2009/10/30

Simon | October 28, 08:29 CET

Why shut down twitteresque cause one country can't see it...?ye can download this time instead if sci-fi start showing it ahead of fox...it's the same difference!

BlueSkies | October 28, 14:50 CET

AnotherFireflyFan:

I really hope this doesn't happen. I don't want to have to spend a MONTH avoiding anything Dollhouse related for fear of future episode spoilers!

Hey, welcome to life in the rest of the world. :-)

Geography-based delays and the spoilage opportunities they create here in the UK were the reason that I finally started downloading copies of the US TV shows that I was the most engaged in: to be able to move to real-time viewing, and hence back into the Net communities for those shows.

(Include standard "I do buy the DVDs" disclaimer here.)

Anthony | October 29, 20:11 CET

You need to log in to be able to post comments.
About membership.

« Older 31 Classic Halloween episodes and ... | Buffy among those who turned monst... Newer »