Heroes pilot to be available on iTunes

At this point, you have to wonder if NBC will have any original episodes left for premiere week?

The pilot to their new show Heroes will be available as a free download starting September 1st on ITunes.

I have to admit I'm intrigued by Heroes and it's on my list of shows to try in the fall. That said, I'm wary because NBC doesn't have the best track record with giving serialized genre shows the time to establish and develop an audience.

At least NBC president Kevin Reilly seems to be acknowledging this and is willing to give the show a chance to develop if it's not a huge hit out of the gate.

But I do have to wonder--the first week numbers are critical. Will the distrubuting of the episode free on-line help or hurt the show? The helpful--it builds buzz. The hurtful--people who are anxious to see it will watch it and may not tune in for the first episode...

Just a thought....