By Andrew Wallenstein
Among the bells and whistles set for the broadcaster's
online destination are full-screen viewing, closed captioning
and the ability to send video links that can be embedded on
blogs and social networks.
"Having come out of the gate with the first player in the
space, we're continually looking at how we expand and provide a
better experience from our users," said Alexis Rapo, vp digital
media at ABC Entertainment.
ABC was the first full-episode player online when it
launched in 2006, and as of April, it is the dominant one: Its
8.9 million unique users was tops for the month among
broadcasters, according to Nielsen Online. ABC also leads
in minutes spent per user.
The user interface has been redesigned with new navigation
and search features that allow users to comb series offerings
graphically, alphabetically, by genre or popularity. Also
added: content recommendation technology that suggests programs
based on a viewer's choices.
Although ABC previously contained the video to a
browser window, the improved player will allow the image to
take up the entire monitor. The viewer also will have the
option of choosing from a variety of screen sizes, as well as
picking standard or high definition.
Users also can send links that can be posted elsewhere
online, where they can launch cued to a particular scene
mid-episode. Video on ABC also will be more easy to sift
through, with thumbnail images that offer a glimpse of the
story line progression in each episode.
The new player will be tested in a closed beta over the
summer before launching ahead of ABC's premiere week in the
fall. ABC uses technology from Move Networks for its
player.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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