I don't understand. Networks run two hour premiers for many new shows. What are they thinking? Isn't the idea to get you to watch? Why would it be more likely that you would watch something new (when all your old shows are coming back from reruns) when the committment is for two hours?

Why not lessen the committment and leave the viewer hanging? The sell is always the sizzle. The viewer expects steak after watching for two hours. And the commercials overwhelm. I say it would increase the odds for a series success if they shortened the premiers and gave the viewer a taste rather than the full meal.

Which shows are having a 2 hour premier?

I believe "24" is two hours for the first two episodes.

I'm referring to new shows. There are generally a few every year. In January there is The Book of Daniel and South Beach. Last year I recall Numbers and that Stephen King show was as well. There were others.

I think that for premieres, there are generally two goals. First they need to give you the backstory or setup so you understand what's going on. Second, they need to make the show itself interesting so that you'll come back for more...

Numbers has never had a two-hour episode. But the Sunday premiere did follow a football playoff game.

With '24' you need 4 hours to get the party started. The show is so intense that a one-hour season premiere is just not enough.