NBC faces a challenge with a live primetime production of ` ` The Sound of Music '' `` The Sound of Music '' originally reached Broadway audiences in 1959 , followed by the popular 1965 film starring Julie Andrews . A major television network has n't aired a full - scale musical in years . NBC 's strategy is to get viewers to watch live rather than via DVR or Hulu . The live element of surprise works in the network 's favor .
NBC faces a challenge with a live primetime production of ` ` The Sound of Music '' A major television network has n't aired a full - scale musical in years . NBC 's strategy is to get viewers to watch live rather than via DVR or Hulu . The live element of surprise works in the network 's favor .