# ABC Makes Four TV Shows Available Free on Web By Cool Hunter | Published 2006-04-11 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abc-to-make-tv-shows-available-free-on-web References: [news.yahoo](http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060410/tv_nm/media_disney_dc) NEW YORK/ATLANTA (Reuters) - [Walt Disney Co.'s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imax-enhanced) [ABC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bape-and-transformers-1) television network will offer some of its most popular shows, such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost," for [free on the Web](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-pokmon-company) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ad-Supported Streaming Service Options](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adsupported-subscription-tier.md) - [Cable Subscription Streaming Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comcast-xfinity.md) - [Ad-Supporting Streaming Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-netflix.md) - [New Streaming Service Formats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/streaming-services1.md) - [Ad-Supported FAST Channels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sling-tv-1.md) - [Dual-Screen Smart TVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/telly-tv.md) - [Affordable Family TV Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vizio.md) - [Combined Streaming Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warner-bros-discovery.md) - [Multi-Service Streaming Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/youtube-3.md)