CBS streaming app missing favourites
Company has already licensed some content to Canadian broadcasters
The CBS All Access app launched in Canada Monday, the streaming platform’s first expansion outside of the U.S., but the $5.99 per month service will be lacking some of its most buzz-worthy programming.
That’s because CBS has already licensed high-profile content to Canadian broadcasters, including the W Network and Bell Media, with the latter holding exclusive rights to The Big
Bang Theory and Star Trek Discovery after the U.S. giant struck deals to maximize revenue from its original properties.
Star Trek, which premiered in September in Canada on Bell’s CTV network, will not be available on the Canadian All Access service, although current season episodes of other primetime CBS shows for which Canadian broadcasters have nonexclusive rights will be available, but with new episodes shown seven days after they are first broadcast.
The service includes current episodes of daytime and latenight properties such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, as well as 30 CBS “classic” series. It offers ad free, ondemand programming that includes all past seasons of 15 prime-time programs such as Madam Secretary — and the ability to live stream CBSN, CBS News’ 24/7 streaming news service.
CBS All Access is available on iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices, and on Apple TV and Chromecast.
“The launch of CBS All Access in Canada is a significant milestone for the service,” Marc DeBevoise, president of CBS Interactive said in a statement. “We’ve experienced incredible growth domestically and see a great opportunity to bring the service and CBS’ renowned programming directly to international audiences across a range of platforms and devices. We look forward to continuing to expand CBS All Access across additional platforms, with even more content, and bringing the service to other markets around the world.” CBS CEO Leslie Moonves has indicated that CBS hopes to launch in Europe and Australia with direct-to-consumer streaming products. All Access costs $5.99 (U.S) per month in the U.S., while users can pay $9.99 for a commercial-free version.
CBS All Access will be competing with streaming providers led by Netflix Canada and Bell’s CraveTV for a growing audience drawn from among households cutting the cord on traditional TV. CBS spokesperson Morgan Seal said the service is complementary to competitors, with a unique lineup, calling it “a great way to introduce a new set of viewers to the product.”
A recent report by Torontobased Convergence Research estimates the Canadian TV subscriber base declined by 1.9 per cent in each of 2016 and 2017 and that revenue for streaming providers grew 29 per cent to $872 million last year. As of 2017, the report estimates that 4.14 million Canadian households did not have a traditional TV subscription. “With CBS All Access entering the Canadian market (and Disney OTT perhaps entering in the near future), CBS functions as both supplier and competitor to Canadian programmers/ TV access providers,” the report says.
“CBS All Access being in Canada gives CBS more leverage in negotiating with Canadian programmers, as well as Amazon and Netflix — especially when it comes to original content.”
CBS All Access will be competing with streaming providers led by Netflix Canada and Bell’s CraveTV