(March 15, 2012) – While its relevance in the realm of traditional linear television is more questionable than ever, the CW’s youthful, digitally literate core audience renders the network an important signpost on where the distribution of TV on emerging platforms is headed. And if the CW’s decision this week to collapse the digital debut of its shows on its CWTV.com platform from 75 hours to just eight hours is any indication, it all seems headed back to square one.
As first reported by Variety Wednesday, CW is going to begin streaming series including The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl just eight hours after their debut on linear TV. The network explained the move as an attempt to ward off digital piracy—it said 20 percent of streams for its shows were facilitated by unauthorized sources. The network said 50 percent of that illegal viewing comes within the first three days after broadcast.
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