ABC to Stream More Shows

Disney-owned TV network ABC said yesterday it plans to stream more of its prime time shows online using its ad-supported video player. Tests with four shows in May were so successful, users crashed the site with the volume of requests for “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Alias” and “Commander In Chief.”

ABC shared some of the results of that test, saying that it streamed 5.7 million individual episodes in May and June, most within 24 hours of a show’s on-air debut. The majority of viewers said they were streaming the shows because they missed them on TV.

ABC also reported that 87 percent of users surveyed were able to recall specific brands advertised on the online versions. In addition, 84 percent said that watching ads in exchange for free content was a “great deal.”