IN2TV In deal, old TV shows to be offered online

The broadband network is to be launched early next year, said the companies behind it.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Dozens of old television shows including "Welcome Back Kotter" will be available online and free of charge under a deal between America Online Inc. and Warner Bros.
In the latest alternative to traditional TV viewing, a new broadband network called In2TV will be launched in early 2006 by AOL and Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution, the companies said Monday.
Besides the TV shows, In2TV will include games, polls and other interactive features.
"Welcome Back Kotter," "Sisters" and "Growing Pains" are among the 30 series to be offered initially.
They will be grouped on channels by genre, including comedy, drama, animation, sci-fi and horror, action-adventure and "vintage TV."
In2TV plans to offer more than 100 TV series and at least 300 episodes per month in the first year, the companies said.
The shows will be delivered through AOL Video on Demand, AOL Video Search and AOL Television. At the time of launch, the programs will be available exclusively on AOL and will not be in syndication on television, AOL officials said.
New video format
Some of the shows will be offered in a new video format, "AOL Hi-Q," that AOL promises will offer DVD quality on a full computer screen. Users will be directed to a plug-in to install the technology on their computer.
The shows will include advertising, although it's not certain at this point how it will be displayed.
Alternatives include an ad that streams before the programming starts or ads at the traditional commercial breaks when the shows aired on television.
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