Disney's ABC Television will offer "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and other top shows on the web, for free, to expand their audiences in what will be a two-month trial beginning in May, reports ABC News. The day after they are broadcast, primetime shows such as "Commander in Chief" will be available on ABC.com, as will the entire season of "Alias." Ads will be embedded in the episodes, and viewers will not be able to skip or fast-forward through them.

Advertisers using the new format include AT&T, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Toyota and Unilever.

The TV networks have been selling digital downloads of popular shows for iPods and other portable video players and experimenting with on-demand video. Now, episodes of "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" will be archived and be available for viewing on the web.

Disney also announced the April 17 launch of a high-speed internet channel for soap opera fans, called Soapnetic, in partnership with Verizon internet services.