Episodes of Lost, Desperate Housewives and other ABC shows will be available via the iTunes store for viewing on computers and Apple's new video iPod, it was announced today.

Each episode will cost $1.99 from the US iTunes store and will be in 320x240 resolution for the iPod's 2.5" screen. New episodes will be available the morning after they air on ABC. The paid-for videos will be protected using the same sort of digital rights management (DRM) technologies that Apple uses for iTunes music downloads, but the new iPod will be able to display non-protected MPEG-4 video files too.

"We’re doing for video what we’ve done for music—we’re making it easy and affordable to purchase and download, play on your computer, and take with you on your iPod," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "Right out of the gate we’re offering 2,000 music videos, Pixar’s short films and hit primetime TV shows like Desperate Housewives and Lost."