By SETH SUTEL AP Business Writer
ATLANTA (AP) -- There's a big power shift in the world of paid television, and it's not between the traditional rivals of cable and satellite. Consumers are getting more control over what and how they watch, and cable operators are doing everything they can to cater to their rapidly evolving desires.
As the cable TV industry's annual trade show got under way in Atlanta Monday, one of the hottest topics was finding ways to keep abreast of consumers' TV viewing habits, which seem to change daily as shows become available over the Internet, on portable devices, and on DVDs.
Underscoring just how quickly TV business models are evolving, Walt Disney Co.'s ABC announced Monday that it would offer full-length episodes of several of its hit shows, including "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost," for free streaming over the Internet on the day after they appear on ABC. The shows will be supported by advertising that you can't skip through.
Disney described the effort as a two-month test, but if it's successful it could pose problems for cable companies, which are working hard to get more premium shows available on their video-on-demand offerings, one of several promising new business areas for cable.
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