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278 Points

Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

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How to handle the airing of a preview episode of a mini-series, months before the mini-series began

I can think of a few ways I can handle this, but thought I would first find out if there is a policy to cover something like this. On August 24, CNN aired a preview episode of a mini-series that wouldn't officially launch until October 5. The mini-series is titled: "New Orleans: Soul of a City" https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2025/08/19/cnn-uncovers-new-orleans-soul-of-a-city-in-new-4-part-cnn-original-series/ In August, someone created a new title page, as well an episode page, labeling the preview as 01x01 with the title "Rebirth of the Superdome". My guess is that they didn't know it was actually just a preview ep. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38573453/ The 4-part mini-series did start on October 5. To be followed with eps on Oct 19, Oct 26 and Nov 2. The names of these 4 eps will be: "The Food", "The Music", "The Parade" and "The Stadium". https://www.cnncreativemarketing.com/project/new-orleans/ The page that was created for the preview episode was labeled as 01x01, will most assuredly end up being identical to 01x04, but I can't confirm that since it doesn't air until Nov 2. In order to properly create episode pages for this 4-part mini-series, something needs to be done with the page that was created in August of the preview episode. If this was a simple error, I would have just corrected the date and/or ep number, but this is different. Or is it? Here are the only options that I can see, but again, is there a policy for something like this? Option 1) Move the existing episode page for the preview into it's own "TV Special" page. Then add the 4 episodes of the mini-series to the existing mini-series title page that was already created. Option 2) Rename, renumber and redate the preview episode so that it will match up with the actual series eps and dates. Meaning, the incorrect 01x01 in August, becomes 01x04 in November. This option would then remove all mention of the preview episode ever airing. Option 3) Renumber the preview ep to 01x00, leaving the August air date and title in tact, and then create the 4 episodes airing right now. That would gives us 5 episodes for a 4-part mini-series. Seems clunky, since it's most likely the same as 01x04 will be, and not an variant, such as an "unaired pilot" that would usually be labelled as 01x00. Sorry, to be overly wordy, but didn't know how to explain this any better. Once again, please let me know if there is a policy to cover this. Thanks.

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17 Messages

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278 Points

1 month ago

Why is my post marked "Private"?

Employee

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5.9K Messages

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1 month ago

Hi JB67- Thank you for posting the links and further explanation! Further reviewing these titles, we have move the preview episode into it's own standalone page and the changes will be lilve shortly. You can then submit a connection to connect both this title special and the already live mini-series title page. You can then add the 4-part episodes respectively to this title https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38573453/. Hope this helps! Cheers!

(edited)

17 Messages

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278 Points

Hello Maya, and thanks! Normally I just correct errors when I find them, but this was a bit different, which is why I asked about it. I will get to adding those episode pages later today. Sorry, what does this mean?: "You can then submit a connection to connect both this title special and the already live mini-series title page." Perhaps it's something I've seen before, but I certainly haven't done it myself. Please explain. Lastly, why was my original post labeled as "Private"? Thanks!

Employee

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@JB67- You're welcome! Titles can be linked through Connections. You can review our following Help Guide for further detailed information: https://help.imdb.com/article/contribution/titles/movie-connections/GNUNL9W2FTZDGF4Y?ref_=helpms_helpart_inline# The post is now set public. Depeding on the content, the Sprinklr system might detect and automatically mark posts as private as a safety precaution.

17 Messages

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278 Points

Thanks again, Maya! I'll check out that link for Connections.