The season premieres of two of Fox's top-ticket fall shows* *will stream online simultaneously when they air in September -- but only for college students.
Dystopian drama *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles *and supernatural thriller Fringe will both be available to computers logging onto Fox.com from a college-based domain (.edu) for each of the show's respective debut dates of Sept. 8 and Sept. 9, according to Variety.
Generally, episodes of hit shows are released online only after their primetime airdate.
After noticing collegiate-based domains were among the top visitors to the network's online hub, studio executives decided to stream the shows online in an attempt to build a fanbase among a demographic more likely to have computers than televisions.
Networks may also be hoping the lure of a free stream will thwart illegal downloads of bootleg copies of Fringe -- which already leaked to file-sharing sites -- and Sarah Connor.
But there's no word yet on how long those premieres will be available for viewing online or if the entire season will be simultaneously streamed -- all key factors if the studio is aiming to keep core audiences from relying on peer networks to watch content on-demand.
Photo courtesy of Fox
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