Seinfeld Finale: A Last-Minute Change Sends Shockwaves Through the Network

Strategic Insights -

Tuning in to the series finale of Seinfeld at its regular time will miss the first 15 minutes of the episode. A last-minute decision by Jerry Seinfeld has shifted the start time to 7:45 PM, and NBC has added an extra 15 minutes to the program. The network will reap an additional $1.7 million from 30-second advertising spots, but some executives are concerned that the announcement may not reach all potential viewers. As the network and affiliates engage in a last-minute promotional barrage, fans and critics alike are taking note of the unusual circumstances surrounding the finale.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Seinfeld finale will begin at 7:45 PM, 15 minutes earlier than its scheduled start time, due to a last-minute decision by Jerry Seinfeld.
  • The additional 15 minutes will add revenue to NBC's bottom line, with a reported $1.7 million for 30-second advertising spots.
  • NBC affiliates are involved in a last-minute promotional push to inform viewers of the change in start time.
  • The Seinfeld finale will be 75 minutes long, 15 minutes longer than the original scheduled hour.
  • The decision to start the final episode 15 minutes early has sparked concern among some NBC executives, who fear that not all potential viewers will be informed of the change.
  • Court TV used scenes from the Seinfeld episode as courtroom evidence in a case involving a 55-year-old male executive who was fired for sexual harassment.
  • TV Land, a nostalgic cable channel, will be "dark" during the Seinfeld finale, showing a TV Land office door with a sign indicating that the crew is watching the episode.
  • KDVR-Channel 31 will air Seinfeld reruns until March 2006.

Statistics:

  • The Seinfeld finale will begin 15 minutes earlier than schedule, at 7:45 PM.
  • The additional 15 minutes will add 25% to the original scheduled hour.
  • NBC will reap an estimated $1.7 million from 30-second advertising spots.
  • The Seinfeld finale will be 75 minutes long, a 25% increase from the original schedule.
  • The 55-year-old male executive in the Court TV case worked for the Miller Brewing Company for 19 years.
  • The Seinfeld episode used as evidence in the Court TV case had scenes where the name of Jerry's girlfriend rhymed with body parts.

Sources:

  • Dusty Saunders, Rocky Mountain News Broadcasting Critic
  • Court TV, "Sexual Harassment Case Cites Seinfeld Episode as Evidence" (no date given)
  • KDVR-Channel 31, "Seinfeld Reruns to Air Through March 2006" (no date given)