ABC to offer free shows on its website

In an interesting move, ABC will offer its popular TV shows such as “Desperate Housewives,” “Lost,” “Commander-in-Chief” and “Alias,” on its website for download. And it’ll cost you absolutely nothing.

ABC is offering this service as part of a two-month trial, starting this May. Viewers will be able to pause and move between pre-set “chapters” in the show, however they will not be able to skip embedded advertisements.

I can’t help but wonder what Apple’s opinion on this new service is. Seeing as it offers most of these shows at a $1.99 pay-per-episode fee through its iTunes service, I’m thinking most people wouldn’t mind watching an ad or two to download their episode for free. I’m guessing Apple will be taking a close look at its video revenue during the next 2 months.

This also brings up another question: will downloading ad-embedded tv shows curb illegal file-sharing of TV shows? I doubt it.

Read Article [Hollywood Reporter]

Tagged: ABC, TV Shows, Lost, Desperate Housewives