CBS News won’t have to worry about finding a new video management partner or licensing rep for its vast archive of video footage for the next two years.
That’s all thanks to the renewal of a long-standing agreement with Wazee Digital, announced late Thursday by the Denver-based tech company.
“CBS News has been expanding its capabilities to license its extensive library in recent years,” said Frank Governale, vice president of operations at CBS News. “We are pleased to extend our relationship with Wazee Digital and look forward to continuing to have CBS News video clips licensed and distributed utilizing the Wazee Digital platform
The CBS News archive is full of iconic footage spanning the decades, much of which has never been seen outside of its original broadcast. Wazee Digital licenses and distributes this archive through Wazee Digital Commerce, a portal designed to help rights holders maximize the value of their premium content by connecting with customers who need video. Buyers such as filmmakers, broadcasters, and advertising agencies go to Commerce to search for and purchase clips to use in their projects. In the case of the CBS News library, Wazee Digital has seen increased demand from film and television producers — especially in the documentary space — who have requested access to the collection.
Wazee Digital and CBS News have worked together to provide access to noteworthy archival footage from CBS News that dates back to the 1950s.
“We recognize the massive growth in content creation and the ongoing need for timely delivery,” said Harris Morris, chairman and CEO of Wazee Digital. “By giving content creators access to all of CBS News’ compelling moments, we’re assisting them in conveying their creative message. At the same time, by making the CBS News content easily searchable and licensable, we’re bringing new life to those assets and generating revenue in the process.”
