ABC is releasing select TV shows – including "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" – via the video on-demand (VOD) platform, the Associated Press reported. The shows will be available for free, but there will be no ad-skipping allowed since the fast-forward capability will be disabled.

ABC said it will provide network programming via local, ad-supported VOD services – in both owned – and non-owned station markets – to cable, telco and satellite operators that disable the fast-forward capability.

For the past few months, ABC and Cox Communications have been trialing free VOD in Orange County, Calif. The companies found that about 93 percent of users would be willing to trade the ability to fast-forward for the ability to watch the VOD programming, with commercials, for free.

Of Cox's approximately six million subscribers, about half have a digital set-top box (STB), which allows them to access VOD services.

The news follows an agreement between ABC and its more than 200 affiliate stations across the country. Local affiliates will be able to sell one 30-second advertisement for the content, while ABC will sell anywhere from four to nine other commercials to national advertisers, the AP reported.

The Walt Disney Co., which is the parent company of ABC, expects to profit from advertisements sold for the VOD offerings. Disney is also trying to expand its digital strategy beyond programs distributed on its Web site.