CBS is jumping on the cord-cutting bandwagon, launching a stand-alone digital streaming service for $5.99 a month that will offer subscribers access to its current and older shows.
The news comes a day after HBO said it plans to offer a streaming-only service next year. Americans are increasingly turning to digital to watch TV and movies. About 45% of Americans stream television shows at least once a month, according to research firm eMarketer. That number is expected to increase to 53% or 175 million people by 2018, it said.
“With video consumption habits changing all the time, it is very important that we continue to provide the best local news, entertainment and sports via a service like CBS All Access,” said Peter Dunn, president of CBS Television Stations, in a statement. “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.”
The broadcast TV network said 15 current prime-time shows such as The Good Wife and Survivor will be available the day after they air on the service, called CBS All Access.
Subscriptions to the service will include the ability to stream CBS stations live in 14 markets and watch previous seasons of current shows as well as older shows from both CBS and other networks like Twin Peaks and Cheers.
But live-streaming of sporting events, including NFL coverage, is not available.
Other monthly streaming services, Hulu and Netflix, currently offer some CBS shows for streaming, but the CBS All Access service offers a more complete catalogue.
