CBS launches All Access app; can stream ‘NCIS,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ more
CBS is getting more and more involved in the digital arena, and today may mark their biggest contribution to it to date. The network announced today that they are launching immediately a new app entitled CBS All Access, which is going to enable you to have a further reach of the network’s library past and present than ever before.
For $5.99 a month, you can reap some of the following benefits from the network, regardless of whether or not you have a cable subscription.
- Live streaming access of your local CBS station (or at least one of 14 current markets).
- Next-day viewing of all network programs via your mobile device.
- Access to past seasons of many CBS-owned shows (like “NCIS” or “The Good Wife“).
- Access to at least seven past episodes of shows owned by other studios (like “The Big Bang Theory”).
- A large library of past series, including “Twin Peaks,” “Star Trek,” and “CSI: Miami.”
In a statement, CEO Les Moonves claims that “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.”
Is this a great investment to current CBS subscribers? We’re not sold. While the price point is low, this would really only be of value if you are planning to binge-watch past seasons of something that is not on Netflix or Hulu. It may be of more value for those who want to live-stream the network, but the fact that an app for connected TVs is not available just yet would probably be something that would turn us off.
Right now, HBO still seems to have the right idea; while their HBO Go service may cost more when they launch it independently, you get a better share of the full library, plus you can watch new programmer quicker.
Anyway, those are just our immediate thoughts. If you want to sign up to get some further TV updates in your email, you can do so over here.