I’m back at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater, where Anne Sweeney, head of Disney’s (DIS) ABC Television networks is about to take to the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show. Consumer Electronics Assocation head Gary Shapiro comes on stage to introduce Sweeney. He plays a video showing snippets of ABC shows (Ugly Betty, etc.)

The Summary: Sweeney made several references to Apple and Intel, touting the importance of their products for promoting new ways to consume content. She hinted at possibly tying in the seasonal finale of “Lost” this year with an Intel-developed software widget on interactive television. There was a lot of paying respect to the consumer, and no news whatsoever, nor any new data on interactive media. Oh, well.

3:08: Our definition of media will change again. Winners will be determined by quality, functionality they bring to consumers. It’s no longer about being first, but about being the best. Focus on how consumers use media today and how they will use it tomorrow. Respect and protection of intellectual property rights, and a great way to navigate content. Can’t do it without the innovative power of the companies represented at this conference. The consumer will determine our future. And she’s off!

3:05: ABC News’s new app for iPhone and iPod Touch. Offered live mobile streaming of the election night, along with text alerts to phones. Facebook site was tied in for audience participation. Reporters filed dispatches on Facebook as they traveled with candidates. Seen huge changes in last few years in how content is consumed – from iTunes to Hulu to widgets on social networking sites. Changes in what kinds of content consumed. Full episodes of movies to mashups on YouTube. Haven’t yet seen how much content will be consumed and how much revenue will be garnered. But also indications is more opportunities to consume content increases viewers’ appetite to consume that content.

3:02: New Ad Lab: state of the art research facility, opened in Austin, Texas last month. ABC’s short-form series based on “Ugly Betty,” is a great example of content on new platforms. Roll video.

2:59: Just three years ago, were still debating the wisdom of putting video content on other platforms. Now it feels as if it’s always existed. Time-shifting and mobile viewing are now a part of popular culture and consumer expectations. Consumers have got to be top priority because we’re following them into the future. The decision to sell stuff on iTunes upset people, but moved forward anyway. The introduction of the ABC player showed people will watch ads in return for free content. Number of episodes on iTunes in the tens of millions. And in the ad-supported player in the 100s of millions. Both models are successful.

2:56: Disney was a strong supporter early on of alternative platforms, points out Sweeney. 38% of wireless subs have a video-capable cell phone, she notes. 7.5 billion online video streams watched per month. But there’s 4% more time spent watching TV last year than in 2007. New viewing options aren’t eroding the audience, but changing the business. Because of DVR, not focusing on audience size anymore, but how many people watched a commercial. Also putting more content on VOD. “Camp Rock” was number one entertainment program on cable last year – on VOD. Disney/ABC now goes out to VOD, Sprint (S) and AT&T (T) customers. ABC.com is the “gold standard” of online players. Has delivered more than a billion ads to online viewers. Working to get digital content to viewers around the world. Closed more than 50 new media deals in 2008.

2:51: Sweeney is playing a video for “Lost: Missing Pieces.” Fans of Lost have embraced every opportunity to provide more content. Using the Intel widget for the seasonal finale could create a terrific way to connect with fans. The show’s kickoff is on January 21. So, Sweeney goes into a sneak peak of the premiere – for TV, and every other device where they will see it, she says. Roll video!

2:49: Potential to focus on just Good Mornign America and Lost: great content for Intel-enabled apps. Millions of viewers start their day with Good Mornign America, points out Sweeney. This lends the show to a number of apps to enhance the experience. Get more info on featured stories, express a viewer’s opinion about a show. Cooking shows could be enhanced with on-screen instructions and emailed to a computer or to a friend. She’d like an app that makes Emeral Legassi come to her house to do the cooking. How about an app for the series finale of Lost next year. Fans of Lost have a huge appetite for more info about the show. Already developed two alternate reality games based on Lost. Also a short-form online series was developed last year based on Lost. It offered new content that was then incorporated into the storyline of the fourth season.

2:46: Need a new kind of convergence. Content providers, consumer electronics companies, distributors, advertisors – all of our futures are linked. Success will depend on ability to work together to develop new value, usefulness, relevance. Mentions Intel’s (INTC) newest innovation – a single chip that compresses the entire power of the PC into other devices. It has a software platform for new applications for television. Intel’s decision to let other manufacturers to use holds promise for creative innovation and collaboration to develop what comes next for consumers. Many unanswered questions: legal questions, etc. But what’s intriguing is potential to create widgets geared to our shows. May create opportunity for consumers to connect more deeply to content they watch.

2:40: Sweeney comes to the podium in a dark suit and pink blouse. She says “we’re seeing unprecedented combinations of popular programming with new platforms.” Mentions mobile phones among the new platforms. Disney/ABC are strong content brands that thrive on any device. And they are becoming consumer brands people use to navigate choices available to them. Digital devices are consumer content connectors, says Sweeney. The challenge is not to fight for business but to stay relevant by figuring out how to use the new platforms. Consumers turning to brands, services, devices that make their lives easier. She’s talking about first getting her iPhone: she’s streamlined what she uses. Email, calendar, photos, weather app, because she travels a lot, streams ABC news, and keeps the phone loaded with ABC shows. She still has real-time stock tracking app … but she doesn’t seem to look at the stocks all that much anymore! But mobile is not just about content, it’s about a great user interface – simple and easy ways for people to find “it” (whatever “it” is). Apple (AAPL), she says, gets this fundamental fact: its UI is intuitive, and user friendly, so easy to personalize. We’re all consumers, all use these devices, all thrilled by devices with high quality user interfaces, and we abandon ones without them. Things that are ubiquitous have two things: great content, and easy navigation. That’s why TV worked, says Sweeney. If TVs had required 8 or 9 navigation screens and dropped the signal more often than not, I don’t think I’d have a job today.