Six days ago, ABC released that it’s iPad app was downloaded 205,000 times and over 650,000 TV episodes have been watched. It’s UNREAL to imagine the number of impressions ABC has created for its advertisers (and now many they’ll create in the long run). Think of a mobile hulu, but take out the middleman. The opportunity for networks to capitalize on this is astronomical, especially if whatever ‘ads’ generated during playback are interactive where the possibility to buy/pay for ‘whatever’ is there within the app.
Would I take advantage of this medium in the future? Most definitely. I find this mobile platform fascinating and the possibility to bite into other markets (slingbox, DVR, satellite) is perfect for applying simplicity to technology and offering the consumer more options for their entertainment.