Did you see last week where YouTube announced it would start posting movies and TV shows on-line. For free.

I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

You know the one I’m talking about?

The shoe when someone finally figures out, “Hey, we spent millions of dollars to make this very expensive movie or TV show…maybe we shouldn’t give it away for free.”

In the last few weeks, studios have been making pronouncements about how their product would be available on this website or that website (Hulu, YouTube, or other sources.)

Studios are trying so hard to avoid the mistake that record companies made…that is, record companies refused to embrace the web. And when people started to post and share music on-line for free, basically side-stepping record stores, everyone said it was the end of record companies. Why pay when you could get it on-line for free?

But I-Tunes changed that tune. 

They found by making songs  available for only 99 cents (a calculated price point)  people would pay for it. And while some are still file sharing, defying copyright law, millions more are now made going on-line buying one song at a time.

At some point, TV and movie studios are gonna realize that ya can’t keep giving it away for free. I know most of us feel the studios owe us entertainment…we feel it is our right to be entertained. But believe it or not, as much as I love “LOST” on ABC, I know that really, the only reason Disney is making that show is because advertisers are willing to pony up big bucks to put their commercials in it.   

On broadcast TV that kind of sales revenue is possible.  

But on-line?

A few :15 second ads are not going to cover the expenses. And the idea that on-line advertising is going to support all the free stuff on the web is still years, if ever, away.

So what will happen?

I think we’ll eventually have to pay to watch video on-line. Maybe weekly of monthly site charges for Hulu. Maybe a pay per view for each show. Somehow, the people that make the videos/shows/movies have got to make money.

Or they won’t be making anymore.

Enjoy it now.

You will (and should) be paying for it in the future.

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My wife has been bitten by “Twilight.”

In case you haven’t heard of ”Twilight”, they are a series of books featuring vampires, werewolves and young love among the monsters. (Okay, it’s a little more than that, but you get the idea.) The popular series is written by Stephenie Meyer.

The first book, “Twilight,” was turned into a successful major motion picture last fall.

My wife borrowed the first book and raced through it in only a few days. She quickly moved on to the second book in the series, “New Moon.”

She says they are a fun, easy read. Not as romantic as she thought they would be…but entertaining.

I’ve been a little reluctant to check them out as the reviews tend to label the books as “chick lit.”

I have made it a point though NOT to watch the movie yet. Cause I’m considering reading the books first.

Any advice from “Twilight” fans?

After the remarkable inauguration on Tuesday, it seemed only appropriate to share this video that a friend told me about on YouTube. Someone took the time to recreate the opening of “The West Wing” with the new, real life characters in the White House.

Very cool!

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Did you see “Desperate Housewives” this past Sunday?

It was the 100th episode. And it was terrific. It showed us, the audience, how the housewives got to be the wonderful characters we’ve grown to love.

It was a great, bittersweet episode featuring a great guest turn by Beau Bridges.

If you missed the episode, make it a point to watch it on-line at the ABC video link at TheIndyChannel.com.

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You gotta love this.

ABC had a very cool ad for the season premiere of LOST on the front page of YouTube on Wednesday. It allowed you to sneak a peek at the fantastic season premiere. I watched it and could not believe how fast it flew by! Whew!

I think LOST is one of the best shows on television right now. In the online ad, there was a link available to a very funny Sawyer nick-name generator. On the show, Sawyer gives everyone a nickname, most of them not terribly flattering. (But they are hilarious!) So ABC created a generator that allows you to enter info about you that will generate a nickname for you.

So what would Sawyer call you? Click here to check it out for yourself.

We’re kicking off the 8th annual RTV 6 Toy Drive this week. And a new tradition we started last year is back…anchors singing!

This year Trisha Shepherd is joined by Good Morning, Indiana’s Grace Trahan and the rest of the 6 NEWS anchor team for a rendition of “I Saw Three Ships.”

RTV 6 Producer/Director Ken Scheidler and his wife Karen did the arrangement. And the anchors did the rest!

Check it out in the YouTube clip.

The video goes fast. In addition to Trisha and Grace, you’ll see and hear Kevin Gregory, Dave Furst, Todd Wallace, Dan Spehler, Tom Davis, Paul Poteet, Stacia Matthews, Crystal Wicker, Erica Flye, Brad Brown and Rafael Sanchez.

Okay, full disclosure. Rafael actually doesn’t sing…he just directs.

Enjoy the video!

You can see the much higher quality version airing on RTV 6 and 6 NEWS 24/7 beginning November 26 through the holiday season.

And of course, make a donation to the RTV 6 Toy Drive. You can drop off toys at The Circle of Lights on Friday night, next Wednesday at Ashley Furniture Home Store in Greenwood, or any AAA Service Center or FedEx location (previously Kinkos.)

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving weekend!