Despite the obvious comparisons to LOST, we’re eagerly awaiting the release of Oren Peli (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY) and Steven Spielberg’s (never heard of him) new 8-part TV series THE RIVER. Though quite why us Brits only have iTunes distributing it is a mystery bigger than the one the show is based on – is it a question of quality, or did iTunes just outbid everybody else? We’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, here’s the newly released trailer for us to enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GrW7CmMhms

Official synopsis:

‘Famed explorer Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned. The shocking truth about his disappearance is out there, somewhere, just waiting to be discovered. To the millions of kids who grew up watching his nature show, Dr. Cole was a hero. To his own son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), he was more of an enigma. Now, six months after he vanished, Lincoln is finally ready to bury the past when Dr. Cole’s emergency beacon suddenly goes off. At the urging of his mother, Tess (Leslie Hope), Lincoln reluctantly joins her on a search for his father. To fund the rescue, they agree to let Dr. Cole’s cagey ex-producer, Clark (Paul Blackthorne), film the mission documentary-style. The mixed crew of old friends and new acquaintances includes the sexy and resourceful Lena (Eloise Mumford), loyal mechanic Emilio (Daniel Zacapa) and lethal bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Kretschmann).’ 

As mentioned earlier, UK viewers can download episodes of THE RIVER via iTunes from February 8th (a mere 24hrs after the US debut) for £1.89 a pop SD, or £2.49 in HD. Season passes are also available at £9.99 or £12.99. Seems a bit pricey to us… Imagine if we had to pony up this amount for every show we followed! And then the box sets on top of that. Hmmm. Can’t see that many take-ups ourselves.

US viewers can of course just watch this without troubling their wallets Feb 7th on ABC.

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