Disney, ABC & Apple Bring TV to iTunes
Source: The Walt Disney Company October 12, 2005


The Walt Disney Company, Disney-ABC Television Group and Apple today announced they are offering current and past season episodes of ABC and Disney Channel television shows for download on Apple's iTunes Music Store, as part of the launch of iTunes 6.

The companies will start this collaborative initiative with five shows, including two of the most popular series on broadcast television, ABC's Desperate Housewives and Lost, as well as the new ABC drama Night Stalker, and the two most popular shows on Disney Channel, That's So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Current season episodes of the ABC series will be available for download from Apple's iTunes Music Store the day after they are broadcast, while the entire first season of Desperate Housewives and Lost will be available for download immediately.

Current season episodes of Disney Channel series will be available for download on an ongoing basis, with selected past episodes of That's So Raven and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody available beginning immediately. Customers can purchase and download current episodes or past season episodes with just one click and view them on their PC or Mac, and Auto-Sync them onto the new iPod for viewing anywhere.

"This initiative is a perfect example of us applying our strategic priorities, namely, marrying great content with cutting edge technology to more effectively distribute our content while enhancing the experience for our customers," said Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "For the first time ever, hit primetime shows can be purchased online the day after they air on TV."

"Disney and Apple are offering customers a new and exciting way to experience television," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "To be able to download your favorite TV shows right from iTunes for just $1.99 and then watch them on your computer and iPod is revolutionary."

Source

I've already said that this is not only an unfair idea; but its dangerous for networks to dabble in because sure they are making more money - but ratings points could go down significantly if sales go up.
Then again if everyone watching Lost downloaded instead of tuned in then thats what, $46m an episode in revenue ?

I think right now ratings decline is unstoppable; just as moviegoing has slumped in the advent of TV; Tv viewing figures have slumped in the advent of the internet; this is either a very smart pre-emptive move into saving television or its a very silly suicide attempt in the making.

P.S - Abc seems like it is keeping Night Stalker if this move is anything to go by; which is the worst idea ever if its RATINGS are anything to go by.

can u then make dvd's from the downloaded files???

Pay two dollars for a show you could have seen 24 hours earlier for free!

Yeah, real revolutionary!

Or they're hoping people will blind buy the episodes, like them and end up watching the show...