Will IPods bring new TV fans?
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-13 11:14

Apple's iPod profoundly changed the way people experience music. What will it do for television?

As for the chance it will pull people away from his station, Long said, "It's certainly a risk but I don't think it's a great risk." 　　Phillip Swann, president of the techonology-oriented Web site TVpredictions.com, said the development will "fail miserably" and have no long-term impact on the industry.

He said the iPod succeeded for music because it replicated what people had been seeking for many years — true portability of their music collections — but there's no such demand for portability of video products. 　　

Unlike listening to music on iPods, watching videos requires the undivided attention of users, he said. 　　

"There's a reason why television at home is popular," he said, "because when you're watching it, you don't have to do anything else." 　　

But another industry analyst, Jack Myers, who publishes the Myers Report, said it was a smart move by ABC and Disney to try and pioneer different ways of distributing their product. The programs most-frequently saved on digital recorders are generally the most-watched programs on TV; the DVRs haven't made a dent in their popularity, he said. 　　

"I don't think the way to monetize it is by holding back from technology-driven distribution outlets," he said. 　　

Two Disney Channel programs, "That's So Raven" and "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," will also be available for sale on iTunes. 　　

NBC has also had talks with companies like Apple about new ways of distributing programming. CBS had no immediate comment on ABC's announcement. 　

"Our goal has been and will always be to make sure that the consumer has a great experience and that our content is well-protected," said Deborah Reif, President, NBC Universal Digital Media.