CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service

keri — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 22:42:21 GMT

First it was Netflix. Then came HBO's announcement earlier this week. (HBO's Standalone Streaming Service May Cost Almost Twice As Much As Netflix)

Who's next in the streaming video business? CBS.

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by David Lieberman | October 16, 2014 | deadline.com

Here you go, cord-cutters — and take that, Hulu: It’s called CBS All Access, and it will offer streams of broadcasts from the 14 stations that the network owns, as well as VOD for “thousands of episodes from the current season, previous seasons and classic shows,” the company says. It’s available today at CBS.com as well as iOS and Android apps for mobile devices.

“CBS All Access is another key step in the company’s long-standing strategy of monetizing our local and national content in the ways that viewers want it,” says CEO Les Moonves. “This new subscription service will deliver the most of CBS to our biggest fans while being additive to the overall ecosystem. Across the board, we continue to capitalize on technological advances that help consumers engage with our world-class programming, and we look forward to serving our viewers in this new and exciting way.”

The service begins offering full seasons of 15 primetime shows the day after they air; past seasons of eight series including The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, and Survivor; ad-free access to 5,000+ episodes of “classics” including Star Trek, Cheers, MacGyver, Twin Peaks, and CSI: Miami; added content for specials including The Grammy Awards, The Academy Of Country Music Awards, and The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show; and live feeds of Big Brother when it returns next summer.

“CBS All Access reflects our efforts to distribute as much of our leading content as possible on new platforms in ways that are strategically sound and provide additional value to our audiences,” says CBS Interactive EVP Entertainment, Sports and News Marc DeBevoise.

It’s not clear how the initiative will affect CBS’ independent affiliates. The company says CBS All Access was “built in close collaboration” with the network-owned stations in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, Miami, Denver, Sacramento, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. This morning’s release says that additional stations will be added. Syncbak, in which CBS has a minority investment, will handle delivery and geo-targeting of the live feeds to ensure that they only go to in-market subscribers.

“Television stations have been the fabric of local broadcasting for 75 years, and today’s announcement is part of paving the way for the next 75,” says CBS Television Stations president Peter Dunn.

CBS also assures non-subscribers that they will still be able to access the most recent current episodes of CBS shows on CBS.com, as well as CBS Audience Network partner sites and through the CBS App. “Programming will be available the day after the shows air on TV, with an eight-day delay on mobile devices for primetime series only,” CBS says.

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I'm curious. How many of you have cut the cord in frustration with rising subscription costs, poor customer service, etc.? Are you satisfied with your new entertainment options after ditching cable/satellite for services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime?

How many of you tried it, didn't like it and returned to your previous provider(s) or something similar along the traditional lines of cable-/satellite-delivered entertainment options?

Re: CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service

javala — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:56:19 GMT

I already do online stream some paid some free byutv, the blaze tv, I even watch QVC and HSN, I watch mostly CBS so that would be a good deal for me.

I gave up cable it is a waste of money.

Re: CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 02:12:37 GMT

I do think this is the beginning of the end of 'free' tv. Just my thoughts.

Re: CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service

javala — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 02:32:46 GMT

On 10/17/2014 annabellethecat said:
I do think this is the beginning of the end of 'free' tv. Just my thoughts.

As of now many of those online are independent and not yet regulated maybe the mainstream sees a place to be more open in the future if they can keep the bureaucracy hands off of it.

I know it is wishful thinking.

Things are changing not every one now likes what they see....

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CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service

Re: CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service

Re: CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service

Re: CBS Launches $5.99-A-Month Subscription Streaming Service