While other networks such as CBS and FOX have partnered with Yahoo! or Real Networks to charge viewers of such reality shows such as "Survivor" and "Paradise Hotel" for the right to view additional exclusive show footage online, ABC apparently has a different idea in mind for its own hit reality program. ABC announced that beginning today, the ABC.com website will begin offering "The Bachelor" viewers free access to additional daily video content from the series.
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The exclusive programming for "The Bachelor, " which kicked off today with access to bachelor Bob Guiney's pre-show interviews, will be made available through ABC Motion, a free service which allows broadband Internet users to view high-quality video embedded in standard web pages. Additionally, starting with the show's premiere on Wednesday, September 24, the site will feature a "The Bachelor" Rose Ceremony prediction game, show trivia, and additional exclusive daily post-show video featuring episode analysis by "Bachelorette" runner-up Charlie Maher, the confessional videos of the women who failed to receive a rose, and Bob's own personal bachelor dairy.
"'Bachelor' fans flooded our site last year, so this year we worked hard to provide new content which allows them to be very involved with the show," said Harry Lin, vice president, ABC.com.
The exclusive content will be released on a daily basis following each week's episode. Wednesdays will feature "The Bachelor" analysis with "Extra's" Charlie Maher. Maher, the runner-up from "The Bachelorette" who spun his appearance on the program into a position as a correspondent for the entertainment newsmagazine, "Extra," will give his take on how he thinks things are going between Bob and the Bachelorettes. He'll include analysis about the prior week's episode and what he thinks might happen in that evening's episode.
On Thursdays the site will offer exclusive video (shot immediately following the Rose Ceremony) featuring the reactions of the girls that did not receive a rose during a given week's episode. Finally, on Friday, ABC.com will offer fans a look at exclusive video from Bachelor Bob as he provides his thoughts on that week's episode with regard to whom he kept, whom he let go and why.
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In addition to the daily exclusive video, ABC.com will also offer viewers a chance to participate in their free "The Bachelor" Rose Ceremony Game. With the game, fans of "The Bachelor" will be able to make weekly predictions as to which women will receive a rose from Bob and to compete with their friends and other fans for the chance to win prizes. The grand-prize winner will be awarded a heart-shaped diamond solitaire pendant (3/4 ct. tw.) suspended on an 18k gold chain necklace, valued at more than $2,000.