ABC to Offer Shows On-Demand

In a move that I’m particularly excited about, ABC has announced that it will offer shows free through the On-Demand system of participating cable companies. So if you miss your favorite show, you might be able to watch it right on your TV when it’s most convenient for you.

“We’re trying to drive everyone back to television but very much understand that with everybody’s lifestyles, they can’t necessarily watch that way and we don’t want to lose them altogether,” Disney spokeswoman Karen Hobson said.

Nothing of course is truly free so viewers will have to sit through a few commercials during the show, and no you can’t fast forward through them. But the on-demand broadcast will have considerably less commercial time: about 2-5 minutes per every hour long episode, as opposed to the 17 minutes during the live broadcast. Personally, I think it’s a small price to pay for watching the shows on your own schedule. No word yet on when ABC will start offering their shows On-Demand or even which shows will be offered. When I know more, you’ll know more.

I’m convinced that in the years ahead all TV will be offered On-Demand and networks will encourage viewership in this new format. The advent and mass adoption of digital video recorders (DVRs) has left networks struggling to sell their valuable ad space in a time when most viewers can simply fast forward through the commercials. With product placement and other such work arounds not quite cutting it, networks must find a way to fulfill on their advertising deals or risk losing sponsors. By offering must see advertising, networks can demand a higher premium and therefore eliminate the number of commercials interrupting an episode. It’s a win-win-win. Let’s just hope the new WGA contract considered such provisions.

What do you think of watching shows On-Demand with commercials? Is it worth it for you to sit through the commercials if it means you can watch your missed shows on television?

Source ABC and the Associated Press