Four CBS series to appear on Comcast VOD
Eye on Comcast VOD
Nov 8, 2005
CBS and Comcast have signed an agreement that, beginning in January 2006, will make four of the network's shows -- "CSI," "Survivor," "NCIS," and "Amazing Race" -- available on a video-on-demand basis for 99 cents per 24-hour window for each show.
The programs will be available on Comcast systems in all of the CBS markets in which it owns and operates stations, which includes seven of the top 10 markets. Viewers who buy the shows will be able to fast forward through commercials, but will not be able to auto skip them. This is similar to all other VOD content on the Comcast systems. The shows will be available in VOD via Comcast systems, as early as midnight following their broadcast on CBS. Certain Comcast systems also may make "CSI" and "NCIS" available in high-definition on demand for customers who have HD-enabled Comcast digital set-top boxes.
CBS is the first broadcast television network to make its highest rated, scripted, primetime programming available on a VOD basis. A Comcast representative said the cable operator is continuing to negotiate with other broadcast networks and content providers to acquire VOD programming.
"This is a first step," said Jenni Moyer on behalf of Comcast. "Our hope is that CBS will eventually get the OK from all of its [non-owned] affilates so we can offer these shows in those markets."
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but sources familiar with the negotiations said it would involve a revenue split between Comcast and CBS.
"Video on demand has fundamentally changed the way people watch TV, and now, for the first time, the most popular primetime CBS programming will be available for our customers," Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said. "CBS has taken a giant step forward in experimenting with primetime video on demand."
Comcast's Moyer said just this year, there have been over 1 billion views of VOD shows via Comcast systems.
"This is an incredibly exciting evolution for CBS and network television," said Leslie Moonves, chairman of CBS, and co-president and co-COO of Viacom. "VOD is the next frontier for our industry. We're confident that the lure of watching these shows at one's own convenience will make this feature wildly popular."
Comcast's current VOD service offers more than 3,800 programs, 95% of which are offered at no additional charge.
The programs will be available on Comcast systems in all of the CBS markets in which it owns and operates stations, which includes seven of the top 10 markets. Viewers who buy the shows will be able to fast forward through commercials, but will not be able to auto skip them. This is similar to all other VOD content on the Comcast systems. The shows will be available in VOD via Comcast systems, as early as midnight following their broadcast on CBS. Certain Comcast systems also may make "CSI" and "NCIS" available in high-definition on demand for customers who have HD-enabled Comcast digital set-top boxes.
CBS is the first broadcast television network to make its highest rated, scripted, primetime programming available on a VOD basis. A Comcast representative said the cable operator is continuing to negotiate with other broadcast networks and content providers to acquire VOD programming.
"This is a first step," said Jenni Moyer on behalf of Comcast. "Our hope is that CBS will eventually get the OK from all of its [non-owned] affilates so we can offer these shows in those markets."
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but sources familiar with the negotiations said it would involve a revenue split between Comcast and CBS.
"Video on demand has fundamentally changed the way people watch TV, and now, for the first time, the most popular primetime CBS programming will be available for our customers," Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said. "CBS has taken a giant step forward in experimenting with primetime video on demand."
Comcast's Moyer said just this year, there have been over 1 billion views of VOD shows via Comcast systems.
"This is an incredibly exciting evolution for CBS and network television," said Leslie Moonves, chairman of CBS, and co-president and co-COO of Viacom. "VOD is the next frontier for our industry. We're confident that the lure of watching these shows at one's own convenience will make this feature wildly popular."
Comcast's current VOD service offers more than 3,800 programs, 95% of which are offered at no additional charge.
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