In an interesting experiment, PBS is going to offer a select group of viewers (4,000 in all), the chance to make the decision on what one of three shows in the making, will be the one chosen to be aired by the public network.
This is a good step, and when you think of it, probably the right network to give this a try. What's the real bottom line in all of it? It will determine if viewers and their responsed truly accurately reflect the tastes of the overall population.
How it will work is PBS will premiere three science series pilots on New Year's Day through streaming video on its pbs.org Web site. The PBS stations will also offer the pilots beginning January 3. Viewers will then be asked to vote on which one 
they like the best. The choice of the viewers will then be aired as a 10-week series that is scheduled to start in the fall of 2007.
While they won't admit it, I think that networks will be watching this closely to see how well it works. If it does really good, and the results are accurate, it could be the beginning of some changes in the way shows are introduced to the public.
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