The ABC "vodcasts" The Chaser on their website, providing the entire show for download in lowish quality Microsoft Windows Media format (WMV) or Quicktime (MP4).

They claim that not only has this allowed the show to gain a large overseas audience, but also increased DVD sales:

Gibson added that ABC's decision to make the show available as a free download from its website had actually increased, not threatened, sales of the show on DVD.

This contrasts with the views of most commercial networks, which go to extreme lengths to control the distribution of their content.

I can't fathom why anyone would buy such a topical and in the moment show like The Chaser on DVD but I suppose some segments are fairly timeless... if you're one of those people with brain damage that makes you remember all news as current yet makes you forget all jokes told about said news day by day.

Anyway, both formats (WMV and Quicktime) don't play on my little video player box. It only plays DivX, XVid and some other formats with restrictions.

Still, the general idea is good and seem to have proven a successful marketing method for a TV show like.

Perhaps not for others.