Disney is soon to be the latest television company to realise the potential of the Web as a means of selling their television shows.

The company’s website Disney.com is expected to become a Web TV portal with classic shows available to watch online, though it may not be completely free.

According to The New York Times, Robert A. Iger, the Chief Executive of The Walt Disney Company told shareholders of the move at a meeting last Thursday.

Shareholder Statement

He said:

“In the near future, you’ll see more of that product available on Disney.com, either for free or through some sort of subscription,”

“Providing physical goods on DVD is tougher and tougher these days because shelf space is limited.”

There has been no indication as to which classic shows will be available through the site once the move comes on stream, but the company has many classic series to draw from.

Disney Presence On The Web

Last month, Disney announced it had set up a studio dedicated to developing short series exclusively for the Web, which will be broadcast on ABC.com and YouTube.

The company is already selling programmes from ABC and The Disney Channel through Apple iTunes, and this is a further extension of their move on to the Internet.