New NBC series "The Black Donnellys" will air in the spring, but viewers who want to check it out before then can rent episodes through Netflix first - and eventually see it online, too, before it airs.

The debut episode of The Black Donnellys will be available exclusively through Netflix till Jan. 15 and thereafter via NBC.com, MediaPost reports. The DVD for the episode will include previews of new NBC series Raines as well as a recap of the first 11 episodes of new hit series Heroes.

Streaming shows online prior to airing them on broadcast TV is nothing new for NBC. Last year it promoted "Kidnapped" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" via Netflix prior to the shows' broadcast premieres.