How the Apple-ABC deal rocked TV’s world

I remember when Apple unveiled the video iPod and announced it would sell ABC downloads on iTunes. I can’t say I was surprised. But I was surprised that ABC was leading off with its top shows, Lost and Desperate Housewives. TV Week has the story behind the deal that includes plenty of secrecy and a key moment when ABC chief Anne Sweeney realized that the best way to fight piracy is to start selling shows online. “For all of the talking we had been doing the year prior about digital media and what it could mean, suddenly we knew what it would mean. We could see it,” Sweeney said. As for the ABC affiliates? “It broke a lot of china.”