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.
