The crack in the OTT video streaming market just widened a bit more. CBS Corporation has launched CBS All Access, its new over the top subscription video service.
CBS All Access offers subscribers thousands of episodes from the current season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand, as well as the ability to stream local CBS Television stations live in 14 of the largest U.S. markets at launch.
CBS All Access is available at CBS.com and on mobile devices through the CBS App for iOS and Android (News - Alert).
CBS All Access will be available on other major connected devices in the coming months.
For $5.99 per month, CBS All Access includes the full current seasons of 15 primetime shows with episodes available the day after they air.
The service also includes the ability to live stream local CBS stations in 14 of the largest markets at launch, with more to be added as affiliates join the new service.
Full past seasons of eight major current series, including “The Good Wife,” “Blue Bloods” and “Survivor” also are included.
CBS All Access also offers more than 5,000 episodes of CBS classics, including every episode of “Star Trek,” “Cheers,” “MacGyver,” “Twin (News - Alert) Peaks” and “CSI:Miami.”
Subscribers also will be able to view the Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, CBS says.
The first new crack was caused by HBO, long expected to take the lead in transitioning to a full streaming capability, among traditional cable channels.
The leading subscription services already in the market, including Netflix, Amazon Prime and others, have emphasized movie content. But the big new developments are over the top offerings from providers of live television, such as CBS, the other broadcast TV providers and then the ad-supported “cable channels.”
As more channels launch their own streaming offers, a new problem is going to develop, though. One advantage of the linear video subscription model is that it bundles channels and genres, so customers do not have to buy discrete channels, one by one.
Ironically, end user hassles will grow directly as each channel makes it own OTT offers available. Inevitably, demand for a bundled solution will grow again.
Edited by Maurice Nagle
View all articles