ABC push to produce online TV programing

[RStar]

I put this here because I'm reading between the lines, and wondering if this isn't a Disney ploy (read: push, crossover, synergy, tech advancement, etc.).

ABC had announced the cancellation of the daytime soaps "One Life To Live" and "All My Children" claiming they needed to change to cheaper to produce shows like "The Chew" and "Revolution". I'm not sure why these would be cheaper, other than the soaps have more on-screen cast, and because some of these people have been on the air for so long that they may command big money.

Now, according to This Yahoo Article these shows will be back, but as online shows. They will be produced with the same sets, same people, and the same quality. There are more TVs online these days, but this was tried once before with soaps like "Passion", which died with in months.

So, why is it cheaper to put them on the web? I know canceling the show may allow re-negotiations of the casts' contracts, possibly cutting costs. According to the press release from ABC, Prospect Park, a TV, film and music company owned by former Disney studio boss Rich Frank, has licensed the shows. So does this mean they will no longer be ABC owned shows? Was this an afterthought, truly a money driven decision, or something else? Like the push toward digital online shows? This reminds me of ABC putting the Lost University online, accessible only through BluRay player with online connections, and BD Live programming.

Disney in the past has driven technology; are they doing it again in this move? Or am I reading too much into this? How much of an audience can they truly get using this tech? How many people will buy new equipment to watch these shows?

(Disclaimer- I don't watch these shows, nor do I have online TV)