This is a small article to express my disappointment at the bonkers decision to delay His Dark Materials Season 3 premiere in Britain. For my American cousins, HBO dropped Episodes 1 and 2 yesterday. However sadly, for some reason, the show will not be broadcast on British screens till December 18th. By that time America will be through Episode 3.
In previous seasons the show has broadcast first of all in Britain, though only by a few days. This will be the first time there is any kind of delay on the U.K. side of things and I’m curious as to why? Just to explain the situation a little, for a start, Britain has no HBO. However the show itself was cross funded between HBO and the BBC who are the ones actually making it. One would assume that the bulk of the budget does get paid by HBO as BBC is a non-profit making organization. However here is a novel idea, why not release it on the same day across both sides of the pond?
Clearly there is disagreement between HBO and BBC of what day the show should be broadcast. BBC wants a Sunday night because it’s a traditionally string night for viewing figures in the U.K. Clearly, that is not the case in the U.S. as HBO has never shown it on a Sunday so far. However even if that was the case, surely it would have been best to release the premiere this Sunday, the 11th? However we don’t get it until a week alter again. It’s completely bonkers.
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The reason for the switch may be this. For Season 1 and 2, I know a lot of U.S. based fans were pirating the show directly from the BBC showings, because they didn’t want to wait. By putting the show on HBO Max, which costs money to subscribe, perhaps they feel piracy well be less of a concern for the BBC who instead use money from the TV licence system in Britain (don’t get me started on that)? However the result is as I’m sure you can guess predictable.
Yes U.K. based fans were out in force last night and today trying to find pirate copies of the show. I won’t be looking for pirates, because I am against them. However this also means a show I have reviewed every episode for so far, I will be three weeks behind the States in coverage. So yeah, it really sucks for me, and for anyone who has kept up with my reviews so far. As for piracy in general, I actually don’t blame fans, I feel like the BBC and HBO has created this scenario for themselves due to whatever silly bureaucratic reasons they found. Well done! I wonder why those viewing figures won’t be as high as anyone hoped for? It will remain one of life’s great mysteries I suppose?
I lament this bonkers decision to delay His Dark Materials Season 3 premiere in Britain. Guess you (American)readers can expect my Premiere review on Monday 19th December. However by then, you’ll be a few days off Episode 4. Leave any thoughts below about this piece of idiocy in marketing.
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