Non-Dish viewers face wait for Fox reruns online

[July 27, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In a move that seeks to reward viewers for paying their monthly TV bills, News Corp.'s Fox broadcasting company says it will allow Dish subscribers to watch new episodes of Fox shows online the day after they air, but make others wait eight days.

The privilege comes at no extra cost to Dish Network Corp. subscribers starting August 15. Other pay TV distributors may participate in the plan in the future.

Fox shows include "Bones," "Family Guy," "Glee," "Raising Hope" and others.

Paying subscribers will be asked to log in with their usernames and passwords for early access to the reruns at Fox.com, Hulu.com and Dishonline.com.

The move is part of an industry push toward a concept known as TV Everywhere, which gives paying subscribers online access to shows at no extra cost and restricts access for viewers who don't pay. TV producers and distributors want to discourage people from dropping their subscriptions.

Those who pay $8 a month for a subscription to Hulu Plus will also get next-day access to Fox reruns.

[Associated Press]

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