CBS News Bows OTT Video Site
6 Nov, 2014 By: Erik GruenwedelAs expected, CBS News Nov. 6 launched CBSN, the first digital streaming news network enabling viewers to stream ad-supported live, anchored news coverage on connected devices, including TVs.
CBSN () is available 24/7 and makes all of the resources of CBS News available directly on digital platforms with live, anchored coverage 15 hours each weekday.
The network features a 60-minute format delivering live, updated news content from 9 a.m. to midnight ET every weekday. It gives viewers the full flexibility within each hour to control what they watch and when they watch it via DVR-like functionality that allows them to watch previous segments and jump back into live programming seamlessly and across devices.
“There’s a tremendous opportunity on these platforms for a true round-the-clock newscast. We’re confident this service will appeal to both traditional news consumers and a whole new set of viewers,” CEO Leslie Moonves said in a statement.
CBSN joins CBS All Access and a planned Showtime OTT video service in 2015 in the media company’s aggressive strategy to mine increasing numbers of broadband subscribers who do not receive traditional bundled pay-TV programing. CBS is also licensing network programing to Sony’s probable OTT TV service.
CBSN can also be accessed on CBSNews.com, its mobile website, and on connected TV devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku players and Roku TV, and others, as well as the newly launched CBS News app for Windows 8/8.1 and Windows Phone 8/8.1 available through the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store.
CBSN will also be available on the CBS News apps for Android and other leading platforms before the end of the year.