The vaults of CBS will be opened to create DECADES, a collaboration between Weigel Broadcasting and CBS that will provide a digital multicast option for local television stations.
Programming dating back to the 1950s from more than 100 series will be available, along with CBS news coverage of historic events and a selection of theatrical and made-for-television movies.
The duo says that unlike some other retrospective networks, Decades will vary its schedule on a nightly basis.
It will have a strong launch platform – the CBS portfolio of owned and operated broadcast stations. Weigel owns and operates television stations as well, and is the force behind Me-TV. Weigel will be in charge of securing affiliates.
Beyond having a place on the air via affiliates, CBS and Weigel believe that many MVPDs will make room on their channel lineup for the service.
Weigel owns and operates television stations as well, and is the force behind Me-TV.
“DECADES is the most ambitious and creative subchannel programming service that has ever been created,” said Peter Dunn, President, CBS Television Stations. “We are thrilled to partner with Weigel Broadcasting, the leaders in this space, to make smart use of our stations’ spectrums and our companies’ considerable programming assets. This service will be a tremendous new business for CBS and all of the other stations across the country that participate, regardless of their primary network affiliation.”
“DECADES takes the digital broadcast network platform to a new level. Viewers will ‘Relive, Remember & Relate’ to the events that touched their lives and generations past. The events, themes and programming possibilities are endless. We are truly honored to be chosen as the company to develop the CBS Television Stations’ diginet product, and look forward to the launch of DECADES next year,” stated Norman H. Shapiro, President of Weigel.
RBR-TVBR observation: There is no denying that CBS is giving serious thought to the future. It seems to have irons in just about every fire available – a smart way to operate in these times in which the future of video entertainment is anything but clear.
