ABC to offer primetime TV shows in HighDefinition over Internet

[This confirms the growing trend of studios and networks moving their content over to the Internet. The annoying thing is that it is only available in the US, unless you set up a proxy server, and it is streaming rather than download. From a DIGG posting -- BSA]



http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6442478.html

Full episodes of some popular ABC primetime shows will debut this summer in HD on the Web.

Disney-ABC Television Group claimed to be the first major television programmer to stream HD video online, at 1280-by-720 resolution. In a test the broadcaster expects to launch in early July, ABC.com’s HD channel will feature a limited amount of content in from such series as Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and Ugly Betty. When ABC launches its new season in September, the site will offer a “more robust” HD lineup.

"This is all about innovating and creating ‘what's next’ to give consumers the best experience as they watch our content, regardless of viewing platform," Disney-ABC Television Group executive vice president of digital media Albert Cheng said in a prepared statement.

In addition to HD content, ABC.com's new broadband-video player will include national news and local content. The player will be “geo-targeted,” meaning that it can identify the area from which an Internet user is accessing the site and serve up corresponding content and ads.