Anyone in need of more distractions on the Internet can now watch many of their favorite TV shows online for free.

Major networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox, are making many of their shows available online. Shows are available via the networks’ official Web sites, or in Fox’s case, its MySpace page.

Some of the highest rated online shows include “Heroes,” “24,” “CSI,” “Lost,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Desperate Housewives.”

One out of every ten online consumers watches shows online, according to the Consumer Internet Barometer.

“It’s a very positive direction that networks are taking,” said NIU communication instructor Matt Swan. “The networks used to be very territorial with how their shows were viewed.”

Swan said making shows available online is prudent in a business sense because it increases the exposure of a show and can generate ratings during the regular TV broadcasts if a viewer is hooked.

“The more venues available to a show, the better,” Swan said.

Swan said network prime time television is not what it used to be. In today’s cable-diluted market, he said networks are looking for new ways to generate word of mouth.

“As technology improves, there are unlimited possibilities,” Swan said.

For some people, however, technology has not advanced enough to enjoy this feature.

“I tried to watch ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ on the school network, but it was too slow,” said sophomore English major Liz Rivera. “It kept buffering.”

Rivera said that she does see the advantage, though.

“If it worked, it would be convenient,” she said.

Rivera also can see how it would help the networks ratings.

“If you really like the show, you make time to watch it on TV,” the English major said.

A single sponsor presents many of the online versions of these shows.

Single sponsors are effective for the advertiser, said Walter Atkinson, development coordinator in the department of communication.

“Assuming the average viewer is the target audience, they are getting exposed without clutter,” Atkinson said.