NEW YORK/ATLANTA (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co.'s ABC television network will offer some of its most popular shows, such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost," for free on the Web in a service supported by advertising, the company said on Monday.
U.S. media companies have been experimenting with ways to deliver programs through new technologies while maintaining revenue as viewership for prime-time television schedules slowly erodes.
But ABC's venture, which starts as a two-month trial in May, goes a step further, potentially bypassing cable operators by bringing top shows straight to the consumer, analysts said.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Streaming Television
- The trend of offering popular TV shows for free on the web, supported by advertising, allows networks to reach consumers directly and bypass traditional cable operators.
- Digital Advertising
- As networks offer free TV shows online, supported by advertising, the opportunity for disruptive innovation lies in the digital advertising industry to create more targeted and personalized ads for viewers.
- Shift to Online Content
- The increasing availability of popular shows for free on the web signals a trend towards a shift in consumer behavior, with potential disruptive innovation opportunities in online content platforms.
Sectors Adopting This
- Television Broadcasting
- The disruption of offering popular shows for free on the web threatens traditional television broadcasters and cable operators, forcing them to adapt their business models.
- Advertising
- The trend of offering free TV shows online creates opportunities for the advertising industry to explore new revenue models and targeted advertising strategies.
- Streaming Services
- The availability of popular shows for free on the web challenges the streaming service industry to differentiate and provide unique user experiences to stay competitive.
