ABC / AOL Partnership to offer free primetime downloads

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Less than a day after NBC Universal’s announcement of its free download service, ABC and AOL have jointly announced a similar service (I’d say “copycat!” but there’s no way something like this could be set up in 24 hours ). The service launched today and is available at video.aol.com.

Episodes will be offered the day after the original telecast and, according to the press release, four episodes of each series will generally be available at one time. Shows that are currently slated for download are: “The Bachelor;” “Big Shots;” “Brothers & Sisters;” “Carpoolers;” “Cavemen;” “Dancing with the Stars; ” “Desperate Housewives;” “Dirty Sexy Money;” “Eli Stone;” “Grey‘s Anatomy;” “Lost;” “MEN IN TREES;” “October Road;” “Private Practice;” “Pushing Daisies;” “Samantha Who?” and “Ugly Betty.”

We Say: You’ll recall that CBS shows are already available at AOL. As with NBC Universal’s shows, you won’t get away without advertising. You’ll see one locally targeted ad and three national ads for every hour of programming.