‘Beyond Twisted’ Takes Test Marketing to Next Level

With syndication challenged by the rough economy, distribution companies are looking beyond the current business model for ways to pare spending and make their product more affordable for stations. Larger distribution houses like Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and NBC Universal Television Distribution are initiating moves that would have seemed unthinkable a year ago, including test-market runs and moving production out of California and New York. Warner Bros. is dipping its toe into the test-marketing pond this summer with Telepictures Productions’ “Beyond Twisted.” In an eight-week preview starting July 8, the show will air Monday through Friday on Fox Television Stations in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Phoenix and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Executive producer Harvey Levin said the show uses “TMZ”-inspired storytelling devices using clips culled from around the world, including the Internet. The cast will be smaller than “TMZ’s,” he said, adding that they will ... (link)