Fox Starts Its Web Pullback, and ABC Gets Ready to Follow

Fox followed through with its previously announced plans to keep its new shows off the Web for eight days, except for Hulu Plus and Dish Network subscribers. Disney’s ABC is now set to do the same thing.

Disney hasn't formally commented on its plans for “authentication” for ABC broadcast shows on ABC.com and Hulu, but CEO Bob Iger pretty much spelled it out last week. Iger said he was all for distributing his stuff via nontraditional outlets like Hulu and Netflix — as long as it didn't disrupt his existing relationships with the cable guys who are paying him big money for his shows. And that’s the main point of authentication — keep the cable guys happy. You won't hear much carping about the pullback yet, but that’s because there’s barely any new programming going up in August. Right now, this only affects folks who want to catch up on “Hell’s Kitchen” and “MasterChef”. You'll hear plenty more griping once the new fall shows go up next month.