ABC to Offer Four Shows Online

The media is going overboard today with the news that Disney will offer four ABC programs (including Lost and Desperate Housewives)online for free. The programs, which will be made available the day after their original broadcast, will include commercials, unlike ABC downloads available on the video iPod.

Many tech journalists and analysts are saying it's another sign that the Internet will soon replace the television. The implication is that millions of Americans will choose to watch an hour episode of Lost on a PC or laptop screen rather than, let's say, a 42-inch Plasma High-Definition TV screen.

How absurd is that?

The hype surrounding Disney's announcement is more evidence of the media's bias in favor of new technology devices and features. (See my commentary, "Does the Media Have a Technology Bias?") Rather than take a critical look at new features, many publications tend to assume they will succeed.

Why?

Because large corporations, such as Disney, are backing them. If Disney is supporting it, it must be a winner, the theory goes.

But, of course, that's nonsense. Disney (and every other large coroporation) has had its share of winners and losers.

Disney's launch of free online programming is significant -- but not because people will watch long-form video on their PCs. The day is coming when viewers will be able to access Internet video directly on their TVs. Internet TV will expand programming options and generate more revenue for companies like Disney.

But, thanks to the hype, this point is being lost in the mainstream press.

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