CBS has announced it will be making its large library of TV programmes available for free (using ad revenues to support it) via the internet.

Full length programmes initially available will be Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Macgyver, Hawaii Five-O and Melrose Place with more being added in the coming months. The offerings are being made under the banner of 'Classics' so suggesting the target is an older generation.

It will make them available via the 300+ CBS Audience Network. The network is made up of CBS's own web sites plus companies like AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Netvibes, Sling and Veoh as well as social application partners like Automattic, Brightcove, Clearspring, DAVE Networks, Goowy Media, meebo, MeeVee, Musestorm, Ning, Slide and VideoEgg.

The availability of high quality content can only help speed up the adoption of online video. Without doubt free iTV (internet based TV) is a real challenge to satelite TV.

What is particularly interesting is the emergence of iPod and other portable video players with connections to TV's and data projectors. This allows people to consume content both when mobile and when connected to a base station.

For marketing people looking to target specific communities the use of contextual based ads opens up new possibilities for sophisticated media planning. 

NOTE: When working for 3M in the 1970's video recording machines and video tape was so expensive that not every TV programme could be recorded. Many of the early Z-Cars programmes and other series went out live never to be seen again. In fact some programmes that were recorded were 'lost' by over-recording other shows because the tape was so valuable.