ABC to offer TV shows free on the web

[pc4th]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12254543/

Walt Disney is to make its top TV programmes available free on the internet in a two-month trial.

From next month, Disney's ABC network will offer Lost, Desperate Housewives, Commander in Chief and Alias via a revamped website.

The programmes will be available for download over a broadband internet connection following their network premieres. They will contain advertising – which cannot be skipped – from such companies as AT&T, Cingular, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Unilever and Universal Pictures.

The day that HBO offers Rome, The Sopranos etc... for free on the web (with commercials) just take a step closer, but probably years away, if ever.

[sch2383]

Will it just be new episodes as of a start date or will they have, let's say, the entire 2nd season of Lost up?

[Ringo]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12254543/



The day that HBO offers Rome, The Sopranos etc... for free on the web (with commercials) just take a step closer, but probably years away, if ever.


i read the thing about ABC shows ... but I'm not sure I understand the second part of your post. is hbo offering the sopranos?

[kwik1980]

i read the thing about ABC shows ... but I'm not sure I understand the second part of your post. is hbo offering the sopranos?

They don't, he's just speculating that that day is coming (and it probably is).

Will it just be new episodes as of a start date or will they have, let's say, the entire 2nd season of Lost up?


I don't know if shows will be archived, but the plan (and this is all just a 2-month trial, probably just to work kinks out of the system for maybe a full-schedule service in Sept.) is to have shows available online the day after their first network showing. So, Despirate Housewives episode on Sunday night would show up on the web Monday sometime.

It's not a hugely unexpected development. The BBC does this, and I used the service that CBS put out for March Maddness, and was very surprised at the video quality, especially considering that it was free.

[sanariot]

Will commercial-free versions of those shows still be available on iTunes?

I'm torn here...I'm cheap, but I also hate commercials. :)

[Deslok]

If they were to iTunes it in the future(which is a very possible endeavor) then you'd figure it would be a pay download with no commercials. There has been some commentary that the reason networks are looking into this method of distribution is to ensure commercial viewing. Tivo and related devices are becoming viewed as such a threat that networks are exploring ways to protect revenue streams.

[afgrijselijkheid]

nice... now if i actually cared to watch a single ABC show...