ABC Tests Free TV On The NetABC Tests Free TV On The Net

The entertainment industry may have conquered its fear of the Internet: Disney-ABC Television Group plans to distribute episodes of four of its shows online for free during a two-month trial. From May through June, episodes of Commander In Chief, Desperate Housewives, and Lost, along with the entire season of Alias, will be streamed on ABC.com the day after they're shown on TV. The company had been selling episodes of Lost and Desperate Housewives on iTunes for $1.99.

The move lets ABC begin to earn online ad dollars with its shows and explore an alternative distribution channel, which could lessen the dominance of cable and satellite companies. AT&T, Cingular, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Toyota, Unilever's Suave, Universal Pictures, and Walt Disney Pictures are among the advertisers taking part in the experiment by offering interactive advertisements.

And consumers will have to watch those ads. They can pause, advance, and rewind streamed shows, but they won't be able to skip the commercials.