In an effort to bolster its TV show service, Yahoo! has created a new Web service that covers the fall prime-time programming line up. The service, called The 2006 Fall TV Preview, features show descriptions for the fall line up, photos, and video clips. According to MediaPost, Yahoo! also signed deals to stream some shows before their network debut.

Jericho from CBS, and Heroes from NVC will both be available the week before they air. Fox plans to offer the pilot of Vanished and the season premier of Prison Break available after they air.

Even though Apple offers a wide range of television programming through the iTunes Music Store (iTMS), it does not offer ad-based streams of shows. Yahoo! and the networks are likely banking on the revenues generated by advertisements as online viewers watch programs online. In essence, the networks are using Yahoo! as another avenue to increase profits.

The move also helps Yahoo! maintain relevance in the commercial programming market. Karin Gilford, Yahoo Entertainment's general manager, said "We're trying to create more immersive, engaging and dynamic destinations for TV users."

But the competition is stiff. The iTMS holds the lion's share of the media download market, and some networks are already offering their own streaming programming services.

In an effort to bolster its TV show service, Yahoo! has created a new Web service that covers the fall prime-time programming line up. The service, called The 2006 Fall TV Preview, features show descriptions for the fall line up, photos, and video clips. According to MediaPost, Yahoo! also signed deals to stream some shows before their network debut.

Jericho from CBS, and Heroes from NBC will both be available the week before they air. Fox plans to offer the pilot of Vanished and the season premier of Prison Break available after they air.

Even though Apple offers a wide range of television programming through the iTunes Music Store (iTMS), it does not offer ad-based streams of shows. Yahoo! and the networks are likely banking on the revenues generated by advertisements as online viewers watch programs online. In essence, the networks are using Yahoo! as another avenue to increase profits and supplement revenues from broadcasting and iTMS sales.

The move also helps Yahoo! maintain relevance in the commercial programming market. Karin Gilford, Yahoo Entertainment's general manager, said "We're trying to create more immersive, engaging and dynamic destinations for TV users."

But the competition is stiff. The iTMS holds the lion's share of the media download market, and some networks are already offering their own streaming programming services.