Last week I wrote about how television networks are trying out every possible idea when using the Internet as a distribution vehicle for their content. It basically amounts to Throwing Spaghetti Against the Wall to See What Sticks.

Not so for ABC. For the Disney owned network, it's all about driving viewers back to a show's initial debut on the network.

"Our research shows that if you give people this opportunity, we would be hurting ourselves," says Mike Benson, senior vice president of marketing for ABC. "We'd rather have people sample the show on our air."

So, if you are a network exec and believe in that approach what do you do? ABC announced that it was offering free iTunes downloads of last season's final performances -- as well as special highlight shows -- "Desperate Housewives," "Lost," and "Grey's Anatomy."