Disney/ABC Opens Vault To Vintage TV
Disney is going to raid the TV archives, a move that may allow viewers to watch 50s-era series like "Zorro" and "Davy Crockett" via ad-supported streams or by paid downloads through Apple's iTunes, CEO Bob Iger said at Disney's annual meeting.
Iger didn't actually say which shows from the ABC/Disney library would make a digital comeback, but it's clear he's eyeing the free money discovered by CBS and NBC, both of which have been pleasantly surprised at the online popularity of oldies like "The A-Team" and "Star Trek." Vintage shows cost the networks nothing to repurpose and they can be packed with ads. It's unclear if these shows will attract a steady audience online, or if they're only there for short-term novelty.
But apparently, it is a phenomenon. Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said the unloved 80's series "Airwolf" is "kicking the pants off a lot of current TV shows."
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Silicon Alley Insider | Michael Learmonth | March 7, 2008 12:49 PM