Online TV spats mean fewer free shows on the Web

October 25, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

Broadcasters took a big step toward eliminating free TV shows on the Web after they blocked access to their programming online this month to enforce their demands to be paid.

Recent actions by Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS in two separate fee disputes suggest that after a few years of experimenting with free, ad-supported viewing, broadcasters believe they can make more money from cable TV providers if they hold back some programming online.

That could mean new limits on online viewing are coming: Broadcasters might make fewer of their shows available to begin with or delay when they become available — say, a month after an episode is broadcast, rather than the few hours it typically takes now.

It would make it tougher for viewers to drop their cable-TV subscriptions and watch shows online instead. If cable and satellite TV providers can hang on to more subscribers, broadcasters can then demand more money from them to carry their stations on the lineups.

Last week, News Corp.’s Fox made TV programming history by blocking online access to its shows, including “Glee” to 2.6 million Cablevision Systems Corp. broadband Internet subscribers. It was part of a fee dispute over how much Cablevision pays to carry the signals of Fox-owned TV stations.

At around the same time, ABC, NBC and CBS turned off access to full episodes when accessed from the new Google TV Web browser, which became available this month.

Both actions sent the message that broadcasters are demanding to be paid for their shows wherever they are seen — just as new devices are making it easier to watch those shows on regular TV sets.

The Walt Disney Co.’s ABC, General Electric Co.’s NBC and CBS Corp. also have been blocking Google TV’s Web browser from playing their full shows.