WebProNews

NBC announced today the launch of its new service, "NBC Direct," on NBC.com, which will allow users to download and watch TV shows on their PCs for up to one week after broadcast.

NBC will begin beta testing NBC Direct in October.  Full-length programs that will be available at launch will include "Heroes," "The Office," "Life," "Bionic Woman," "30 Rock," Friday Night Lights," Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Eventually NBC Direct users will be able to pre-select  NBC programs they want to watch. Those shows will be automatically delivered to their computers after the original broadcast.

"With the creation of this new service, we are acknowledging that now, more than ever, viewers want to be in control of how, when and where they consumer their favorite entertainment," said   Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment. 

"Not only does this feature give them more control, but it also gives them a higher quality video experience."

NBC said it has plans for it service to be compatible with Macs and portable devices in future versions of NBC Direct. Its seems some what ironic that at launch the service will not be compatible with Macs as NBC ended its relationship with Apple iTunes recently.

Look for the other major networks to follow NBC's lead down the road.