ABC has launched its streaming video test, delivering to viewers free episodes of Desperate Housewives, Lost, Alias, and Commander In Chief.
The test runs through June 30 and will reportedly include other titles as it goes along.
Unlike ABC's commitment to iTunes, the episodes on the new site are offered to viewers for free. The catch is they include commercials and they are not downloadable. On the upside though, they'll be updated the day after the episode airs and, of course, there's no $1.99 charge per episode.
Although it's already a strong proponent of Internet TV, as evidenced by its prominence on iTunes, ABC's latest foray is testing a new way of delivering content to viewers for free while still including paid advertisements.
This test will no doubt be watched quite closely by others as ABC, and its parent company Disney, go through the paces of the dry run. Although not as flexible as downloads, the streaming content idea is one that has merit and would still give fans a better availability for watching on their own schedules, commercials included of course.
Check out the stream on their website.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
Catching Lost online like this is pretty impressive.
2 - Anon
While you mention that there is advertising, what you didn't say was how it's done. There are 3 very short commercials all from one advertiser. Each is 30 seconds or less, and the last half of the show is untouched.
IMO, ABC reached the perfect balance for both consumers as well as advertisers. I expected commercials to be shoved down my throat, and was very surprised to find it wasn't. I applaud ABC and the advertisers who are willing to forge into unchartered territory.
ABC didn't do this half assed.