NBC and ABC have decided to offer downloads of their television shows, but in remarkably different ways from each other. The ABC solution is that their shows will be downloadable through AOL.com, and that they will slowly migrate off the site over time. Kind of harmless, but who wants to go to AOL for anything, let alone getting their episodes of Lost?

On the other hand, NBC's download system, NBC Direct, is positively draconian in comparison, with more DRM issues than a government website. First off, you can only download the shows for a week, and there are commercials that you can't fast-forward through. You can't move or replicate them, either. This is going to make it hard for you to enjoy the Bionic Woman with all your friends.

Compiler: ABC To Distribute Primetime Shows Through AOL

Variety.com: NBC offers free online content