• by David Goetzl , February 5, 2008

While networks have claimed they are making very little, if anything, from streaming video on the Internet, striking Hollywood writers have nonetheless demanded a piece of the pie, partly because they believe future revenues will spike there. And while monetization may be a separate issue, a survey released Monday shows that Americans are watching network hits online at a rapidly increasing pace.

Data from the Solutions Research Group shows that 80 million Americans have viewed at least one of their "favorite" shows on the Web--up significantly from a year ago. And 20% of Americans say they view episodes on the Web weekly--up from 14% who say they use VOD.

For its quarterly Digital Life America study, SRG interviewed 1,150 Americans ages 12 and up last November.

To view "a specific show" was the reason for 21% of visits to network Web sites in November, SRG said.

And some 52% of respondents said ABC.com provided an "excellent" viewing experience, followed by Fox.com at 44%.

Popular shows online ranged from "Heroes" to "Grey's Anatomy" to "Gossip Girl."