Streaming Television - The Model?

So we’ve watched a few episodes of Heroes, Ugly Betty and The Apprentice as streaming television on a lightweight Windows laptop. Pretty much all of the major networks do it now. It ain’t nearly as fun as watching on your television but A) there are some shows we can’t get any other way and B) the commercials are MUCH shorter than traditional television (shows still clock in at about 45 minute) and you can’t beat the price.

Not all the shows are there (I still can’t get King of the Hill anywhere), but a surprising chunk of them are. 24 is available this way - as is Lost, and Heroes - all iTunes favorites.

But I am curious about the model behind these things. Does The Apprentice make the same amount of money streaming me the show with a silly commericial (same commercial at every break none the less) embedded inside as they do shooting it out over the airwaves (and cable) with multiple commericials?

With this (getting stronger every day) rumor that Apple TV has a stream from computer to TV feature, I’m very interested in this option as well.

Honestly, it ain’t about the $1.99 versus free issue. With the limited commercial breaks and the click-to-view as opposed to click-to-buy-to-download-to-watch approach I have to take with iTunes - we’re at about a wash. iTunes has better quality video but just how clear does the Donald’s wig need to be?

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