News Corp.'s Fox network will also make its own TV programs - such as the "The Simpsons" and "American Idol" - available via the internet, and has signed a revenue-sharing deal with 187 affiliates that allows it to make 60 percent of its prime-time lineup available online the morning after broadcast, reports Reuters, citing a Wall Street Journal article. Essentially, stations will get a 12.5 percent cut, after costs.

ABC announced last week that it would offer popular shows such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost," for free, online, supported by ads; earlier, CBS made the "March Madness" NCAA college basketball playoff games available online; NBC last December started offering programs for sale on iTunes.