GE has apparently developed a time machine, for NBC’s use in establishing entirely asinine marketing pitches!

“Executives at NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric, upped the ante last month with plans for a 65-week season for NBC, which would run from May 2008 through August 2009.” [New York Times]

Okay, yes, networks are shifting to a 52-week season.  Which is exciting!  And necessary!  But can NBC really claim a 65-week season during their Upfronts?

The networks are recovering, dealing with a mostly destroyed end of the 2008-09 television season, and the summer traditional doesn’t count as a season, merely a place to put terribly hideous refuse rather than going dark when absolutely nobody is watching.  And the paradigm is shifting, also.  But seriously?  Can NBC really tack on an additional four months, during which they’re selling advertising, to the season for which they’re selling advertising, as a ploy to generate buzz?

For the past few seasons, networks have been scheduling increasingly year-round content, and May through August falls at the end of the television season.  Other networks, and NBC included, have presented summer content at previous Upfronts.  So NBC is kind of maybe double-selling!  Also also insane!