TV Industry Seeking to Monetize Digital Distribution

The TV industry explored new waters last year, testing distribution of shows on iPods, video phones, and online - and according to Ben Grossman of Broadcasting & Cable, this year the industry plans to discover just how to make money from them. "Programmers thrive when new distribution pipes open, but some TV executives cutting the deals say they are making it up as they go along," Grossman writes. Meanwhile, the "dealmakers" are trying to place a value on such disparate content as cellphone clips of 24 to old episodes of Adam 12. Many deals are being made only for the short-term, because the industry is evolving so quickly that profitable moves today may not be as profitable tomorrow.