A Look At ABC's Video Offerings

Is This The Future of TV?

Last month, I ranted about the major networks not having their content online. I cited reasons of convenient distribution, and new advertising as reasons that the "big three" should be embracing the internet as a means of distributing their content and not running in the other direction. However, to date, we've been limited to clips and promotional pieces in the free arena.

However, in a first baby step, ABC is taking the move to distribute their content online. They are streaming the latest episodes of a few shows from their website. Missed an episode of "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Alias" or "Commander In Chief?" Even if your VCR is flashing 12:00, you can catch up on what you missed. The content is currently limited to those shows, and a promotional piece. If you missed "Grey's Anatomy," or your other favorite ABC show, well you're just out of luck for now.

By clicking on a window, you can choose the show you would like to see. You are also limited to just the latest episode of each, so don't plan on catching up on the season this way. The video is streamed from the ABC site. You'll definitely need a broadband connection here. For the smaller screen you need at least a 500 KB connection, for the full screen, you need at least an 800 KB pipe according to ABC. Both the smaller and larger versions of the video streamed fine across a DSL 768 KB internet hookup. I was a little disappointed that the full screen was less than the full monitor on a 17" CRT monitor set to a 1024 x 768 resolution (pictured below with no editing).
The video starts up, but first there is a word from our sponsor. Ok, I think, here we go, everyone is entitled to make a buck, but now the hour show will take two hours to watch! I wasn't disappointed to see that it wasn't the case. There was a 45 second commercial for an allergy medication. The show started in right after that, starting with the "previously on Lost" footage. The runtime of the hour episode is 46 minutes, plus the three 45 second commercials. This is faster than watching it on TV live! The audio was equally excellent, and in sync throughout. I could also navigate the episode by dragging the slider forwards or backwards which is handy if you "rested your eyes" for the last fifteen minutes of the episode.

Sure, there are some shortcomings. As I said before, we're currently limited to four shows and only the latest episodes. The video is streamed, so it can't be saved for viewing later, or on a portable device like an iPod. Finally, this is only available from May 1st to June 30th. In other words, when there is nothing on in August, don't plan on reanalyzing the nuances of the previous "Lost" season. That's probably when the DVD's for these shows is being released, and hey, they want the fans to buy and turn a profit.

Overall, I'm pleased with ABC's attempt at distributing their content online. If they expanded it to their full line up of shows, and more than just the last episode, I'd be thrilled in fact. This is clearly an idea that's time has come. I hope that the other networks follow along, and offer a similar setup. Maybe I don't need a new VCR after all...

--Jonas