Fans will get their first chance to view the theatrical trailer for the first episode of the Lord of the Rings trilogy during the premiere of the Angel television series on the WB Network. This is a clear-cut example of 'corporate synergy,' since AOL/Time Warner owns both the WB Network and New Line Cinema, the studio producing Lord of the Rings; but it is also based on similar demographics between the audiences for Angel and LOTR. And, though the LOTR trailer is clearly an ad for the film, based on the enormous interest in the LOTR project (see 'LOTR Drives Web Traffic'), it should actually serve to bring new viewers to the Angel TV show.
Since the WB lost Angel's 'parent' show--Buffy the Vampire Slayer--to rival network UPN (see 'Buffy Flees the Frog') and moved Angel to Monday night, the network is clearly looking to do everything to keep and expand the audience for the show. With Angel comics from Dark Horse, a highly successful second series of Angel trading cards from Inkworks (see 'August Top Ten Cool -- Movie/TV'), as well as action figures from Moore Action Collectibles, the Angel television series is already a very important property for most pop culture retailers. Of course the Lord of the Rings trilogy could well become the most important movie event of this winter for pop culture retailers, when the first film debuts in December. The LOTR books are already selling well (see 'Lord of the Rings Books Selling Now'), and with toys from Sideshow and Toy Biz and a wealth of other material on tap, this could be one movie franchise that actually lasts for years. 
