For decades, the source of cable television laid upon two metal frames called “rabbit ears.�?

This might not be the case much longer though, as television, like many other entertainment ventures, goes more and more digital. Recently, ABC has offered many of its flagship titles online for free — with commercials. Many of these same shows can be purchased without advertisements through iTunes.

Still, ABC has offered a wide selection of its television shows on the Web, including such shows as “Desperate Housewives,�? “Lost,�? “Commander In Chief�? and the entire final season thus far of “Alias.�?

“I think this is a new form of delivery,�? said assistant communication professor Yu-Li Chang-Zacher. “The networks know if they want to get younger viewers, they have to do so online.�?

Communication professor and graduate director Jeffrey Chown has been expecting change in the delivery system of entertainment for some time.

“I think they are seeing the writing on the wall,�? Chown said of the cable networks. “The viewership isn’t anything like it used to be. [Digital] competitors are making them more of dinosaurs.�?

Still, Chown also contends the cable networks have an advantage, citing the problematic public relations issues caused by other industries’ crackdown on piracy.

Assistant communication professor Dale Zacher believes ABC’s move could pose a broader range of problems, namely pushing culture closer to a digital divide.

“From a societal standpoint, we have entertainment only accessible to people who have the money and wealth to use it,�? Zacher said.

Zacher said ABC’s downloadable content is far from the first move to a digital business model.

“They will still rerun popular shows in the summer, but they’ve cut back the number of shows they actually rerun,�? Zacher said.