ABC pushing broadcast, their own site, vs. iTS purchases

Where is it advertised that you're paying $1.99 for episodes "without ads"? I personally think I'm paying for DVDs "without ads", but they most certainly have ads.

(clearly I'm playing the devil's advocate here, but I do think you're overreacting).

well i pretty sure they make more money on the tv through ads more than they ever will through iTMS. especially for a show like LOST. I don't know what lost episode download revenue is but i seriously doubt that its more than ad revenue on tv. they need to keep tv veiwership up or there is no reason an advertiser would pay for the ad.

the second place they can put ads is the website which is only a few short ones so less ad dollars but more than iTMS still probably. so yeah they want you to go there.

as far as iTunes I agree with Tom (poster 1) it at the end after credits. not that big a deal its not even like they are trying to push weed wackers or some other product on you, they are just trying to get you to go to there website which again has more ads but they also want you to look at there web portal if you will and stick around. and how is that different than a podcaster (corporate or independent) telling you at the end "visit us at www.theirsite.com" ,which pretty much all do. and if you just keep watching on iTMS and not worry about a little ad they will keep it available just don't go to the site. cuz thats where the veiwers are so thats where they stay.

As far as the low res and 4:6 ratios they gotta do that or what is stopping you from buying the season DVD's which are rediculouly marked up from actual production cost (of the dvd not the show). you could say that apple is doing it but I'm sure that was part of the deal when they signed up.

remember all of this stems around the fact that they, and all the rest (maybe more movie studios than Disney soon) get on iTMS is to give people legal options to watch the show rather than do the P2P thing. they are doing there best with many options to prevent that. like Apple they still are a company an are in it to make a buck. cuz P2P is what really screws them out of dollars.

Did you consider the fact that ABC is owned by Disney and was the first network to supply content to the iTS because of its direct connection to Disney/Pixar/Steve Jobs/Apple? ABC would be the last network to pull its content...Steve wouldn't let that happen, and I'm pretty sure he has some pull...

The chances of ABC's content being pulled is exactly as likely as Steve Jobs being bought out of Disney and Apple and Disney cutting all ties... What I mean to say is this:

Disney owns ABC. So, theres no chance of content being pulled.
I think this is purely an executive decision.

Also, theres still a clear distinction between TV, iTunes TV shows, and the ABC viewer. The first is scheduled, and you sit and watch it, the second is a copy to keep forever, and the last is streamed from the internet, and is at a lower resolution. So, if you didnt watch/record/catch the rerun of any particular episode, you can either pay $2 to watch it and keep it, or you can simply watch it from ABC.

Just saw FOX advertise the same service (different site, of course).

Yes. I agree with Clone when he said "Don't chop off those beautiful beaches." Especially Evangeline Lilly. The hottest beach on that show.

Well, we pay the $1.99 to get the shows WITHOUT ADS. For them to turn around and insert ads (even though they are at the end of the show), to me, basically amounts to giving us The Finger.

One thing I find a lot more annoying than the ads is the fact that ABC shows are only available in a 4:3 aspect ratio. I realize there are a lot of iPod viewers out there, but as Apple prepares to roll out the iTV, there are going to me a lot more people like myself who want to watch the gorgeous scenery of LOST on my 16x9 HDTV. Believe it or not, the 16:9 episodes of The Office look pretty damn good on a 1080p display at 1920x1080! And why should The Office be more cinematically presented than LOST?? Dont' chop off those beautiful beaches! At least give users the option of which to download. Also, it would be helpful if Apple presented the aspect ratio of their TV shows AND movies so users can be informed before buying...

I don't see this as any different than all the ads, previews, etc. the studios try to force you to sit through at the beginning of most DVDs.

The video viewer abc.com SUCKS!