ABC affiliates gave the network the go-ahead to allow free video-on-demand plays of prime time fare on cable, satellite and IPTV. The 200 or so stations agreed, as long as the fast-forward feature on the service platform was disabled for the shows.
Stations not owned and operated by ABC will be able to insert one 30-second local spot every hour in the episodes prepped for VOD. ABC will sell the rest to national advertisers. The deal also allows ABC to offer more episodes through iTunes and Xbox.
Cox Communications, which tested the service in Orange, Calif., will launch the service, according to published reports. Comcast previously tested free, ad-supported VOD with the Big Three networks.
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