More than half a year after CBS Interactive released its full-episode streaming app for iOS, the network has added Android and Windows 8 platforms. The “CBS” app will also be added to BlackBerry 10 by the end of the year.
This fall, the CBS App will offer fans more programming than ever before for catch-up viewing, including every episode of CBS’s new and returning primetime entertainment series eight days after broadcast. In addition, the app will offer episodes of numerous classic CBS shows like MacGyver, Star Trek and Perry Mason.
Since March, the CBS App for iOS has been downloaded nearly 4 million times. In addition to full-episode streaming, the iOS app recently added the CBS Connect iPad App’s synced second-screen experiences and social TV features as well as Connect Live, CBS.com’s weekly live video chats with CBS talent. Both CBS Sync and Connect Live will extend to the Android app this fall.
“When we launched on iOS in March, we promised fans we would bring the CBS App to all major platforms by fall premieres. Today we are doing exactly that,” said Jim Lanzone, President of CBS Interactive. “In addition, we’re launching new social and second-screen features, as well as access to more content than ever before. We’ve seen a tremendous response to the app to date, and we’ll continue to innovate on behalf of CBS fans in the weeks and months ahead.”
Daytime and late night programming is available within 24 hours after initial airing, while most primetime programs will be available on the eighth day after broadcast.
RBR-TVBR observation: Offering full-episode streaming is and always will be a great idea, but in order to keep affiliates’ ratings strong and keep Aereo in check, eventually each affiliate should be able to exclusively stream their 24/7 signal live and get credit for views. This rating will be added to the affiliates’ overall viewing and help them sell more local and national spot advertising. That is truly “TV Everywhere,” whether or not it has to go through the MVPD provider’s online platform or not.
