That means millions of new young adult viewers have been pulled to Thursday night.

However Phillips felt the episode would be "a bit hard to get into" for new viewers.

For the new viewers, it was a good way to meet all the major characters and learn their functions.

"I think it will actually help us attract new viewers," she said.

He added that, "even new viewers will be able to follow and get caught up to speed".

When the poster came out a few weeks later, in late December 1969, the image was still quite shocking and new to most viewers.

The rights gave Fox many new viewers and a platform for advertising its other shows.

Curiously, this strategy appears to have brought in new viewers.

The cost of multicasting goes up with every new viewer who wants to watch.

"And we need them to recruit new viewers who are going to watch the broadcast."