ABC/Disney is making a big move with its live-streaming WatchABC app this week.

While the app was already available in New York and Philadelphia, free trials are no longer and now anyone who wants to stream ABC content via the app will have to prove they are a pay-TV subscriber.

The ABC app is also going live to pay-TV subscribers in four more markets: Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Raleigh-Durham.

Free streaming broadcasts of local stations are still available, but users in these six markets have to sign in using their TV provider’s credentials (like Comcast, Cablevision, Cox and AT&T). Users can then stream live or on-demand ABC programming and local station content via Apple devices, Kindle Fires or via watchabc.go.com.

Two more stations are expected to be added to this lineup by fall.

Brief Take: ABC/Disney is taking a bit of a risk by forcing mobile viewers to have a cable access in order to watch its content. This restriction was known from the start, but those who were enjoying free TV on their iOS devices during the trial period may exhibit a bit of a backlash by moving on to different content providers.

​Read more about it at the Washington Post.

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