Clicker, the internet TV guide, has come up with some interesting analysis on how much and for how long shows from the major US networks are available online.
In the 2009-10 season, which began in September and ended in May, 4,420 broadcast episodes were put online, but more than 90 per cent of them (3,980) were later removed.
Around 60 per cent of these episodes were taken down within three weeks of being published and more than 90 per cent within six weeks. Clicker says they would sometimes reappear, but with no set pattern, making their availability unpredictable for the internet viewer.
There’s an obvious strategy going on here – the TV companies are hoping viewers will go on to buy series they become hooked on through services such as iTunes. Programmes are also put up for a limited time to allow catch-up, so viewers can stay hooked to the broadcast versions through an online supply of just-missed episodes.
Overall, it seems a remarkable abundance of broadcast TV programmes available online, although internet users will have to be quick to catch most of the content.
With the advent of the Hulu Plus subscription service, it will be interesting to note whether the 2010-11 season of free online showings is quite as generous.
