MUMBAI: HBO US will launch the epic 12-episode drama series Rome on 28 August with the episode The Stolen Eagle. Chronicling the fall of a Republic and the rise of an empire, the series will air every Sunday.
As had been reported last year by Indiantelevision.com this is the second co-production between the BBC and HBO following Band Of Brothers.
In order to maximise subscriber viewing choices, each of the first three episodes will be scheduled so that it can be seen seven days a week at varying times on either HBO, HBO2 or HBO Signature. In addition, throughout the series run, the previous week's episode will air on Sunday leading into the debut of that week's new episode.
The overall scheduling strategy for Rome represents the largest, most aggressive viewership campaign HBO has ever put together in America for a new series. Presented in much of America to non-HBO subscribers through a free preview, as well as to current subscribers, Rome will be playing on three of HBO's plex channels, and on HBO On Demand.
The broadcaster states that the total reach achieved for sampling should provide Rome with a strong opportunity to gather a regular audience in the weeks between the end of the summer cable season and the start of the fall broadcast season.
HBO executive VP, programme planning David Baldwin says, "Our goal is to put Rome in front of every demo and every audience segment by appearing every day of the week and in all the appropriate timeslots from 8:00 p.m. to late night. HBO On Demand enables them to watch anytime they choose. This saturation sampling phase will be supported by HBO's legendary on-channel and off-channel promotion and awareness efforts."
Rome began shooting in Rome in March 2004, with Michael Apted Coal Miner's Daughter directing the first three episodes. Production for the series is based at Rome's Cinecitt? Studios, with additional locations throughout Italy.
Among the actors starring in the first season are Kevin McKidd Kingdom of Heaven as Lucius Vorenus, Ciarán Hinds Road to Perdition as Gaius Julius Caesar and Indira Varma Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love as Niobe.
