HBO Launches YouTube Channel To Help Boost Sluggish "In Treatment" Ratings

Silicon Alley Insider:

Critics like "In Treatment," HBO's psychotherapy serial, but viewers don't. It's one of the lowest-rated original series HBO has ever aired. HBO's mantra is that it cares about subscribers, not ratings, but that doesn't work if no one's watching.

Solution? Give the show away for free. Last week HBO started streaming the first 15 (of 43) half-hour episodes on its own web site. And now it's putting full-length episodes on its newly-launched YouTube channel. Also available on the site: Shorter clips of higher-rated fare, like Entourage, The Wire, and Flight of the Conchords.

Read the whole story: Silicon Alley Insider

Comments

[ergoth]

this show is addictive.

and mia wasikowska is an amazing actress. the whole cast is good but she is outstanding.

[Deborah]

HBO does not get it. You screwed your viewers by cancelling Carnivale first. Then you stabbed us in the heart by cancelling Deadwood.D­eadwood was the best program ever shown on television. How you were stupid enough to not understand this is beyond comprehension.

I swear on my channel changer and my 52"plasma TV. I will NEVER watch HBO again until Deadwood returns. Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on ME.

HBO, I hate you and I will never watch another series on your channel again, EVER.

[MadMoll]

and, for 17 weeks, no residual will be paid to the writers... or the actors.

[raker]

I've tried watching this show about five times. One time it was pretty interesting. The other times it was like watching paint dry. Seriously emoting paint dry.

[Brownpower]

Brilliant, Youtube great idea...it takes one episode to hook u...I love all of Marky Marks productions.

[CrazyLiberal]

What's with HBO and therapy? In the "Sopranos" Tony Soprano goes to therapy, in "Tell Me You Love Me" everyone goes to therapy and now "In Treatment", the name says it all.

Maybe HBO thinks that watching people go to therapy to discuss their problems makes good viewing.

I watched the first 4 - 5 episodes of "Tell Me You Love Me" and it gets old really quick. I haven't watched any of the "In Treatment" episodes.

[truthskr]

I'm completely addicted to this show. Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest are amazing. Sorry to hear it's not catching on, but it is a risky concept, schedule-wise. Thank God for On-Demand.

[NYCforObama]

HBO only produced this to make viewers forget "John from Cincinnati­."

Awful, awful, awful.

Original -- an Israeli TV show -- abs brilliant.

[kellygrrrl]

I love this show. it is excellent writing and acting with an amazing cast. I can see why a lot of people are not watching a half-hour show at 9:30 five days a week. I have to Tivo it and catchup on the weekend, but it is definitely worth it.