ABC in the middle of 'free content on the Web' controversy

ABC, by not putting the second season of its so-so science fiction series V on the Web, has both jumped into and stirred up the ongoing fight between what consumers get free and what costs money. In this instance, ABC, which pointed the fickle finger of blame at production company Warner Brothers Television, seemingly is unwilling to give away the program.

According to the Massachusetts Market blog on Boston-based website Wicked Local, an ABC spokeswoman said that Warner Brothers gave the network broadcast rights but not online rights "but she didn't say why ABC didn't acquire the online rights for the second season."

More likely, ABC was following a trend of not giving away expensive to produce content that rakes in advertising bucks on broadcast networks and, although not as prevalent, affiliation fees from multichannel service providers.

For more:
- Wicked Local has this item

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