Almost immediately following HBO’s giant reveal that they’ll soon be giving audiences a cable-free streaming option, CBS has stepped in and taken away some of that thunder. They have unveiled and unleashed CBS All Access, an online subscription service that gives customers an entire library of viewing options from the network’s rich history. It’s not as juicy as the premium cable’s service, as CBS is already available to virtually anyone with a TV, but it’s available for use right now and there is a massive number of series to sink your day into.
For $5.99 a month, subscribers will have access to over 6,500 episodes from over 50 past and currently airing series. Want to dig into every single episode from the bazillion seasons of Big Bang Theory? Want to get caught up on Twin Peaks long before the show’s eventual revival on Showtime? Want a multi-series Star Trek marathon to take you into 2015? CBS All Access will apparently do all that for you, and it’s very likely they’ll continue to update the library to include more classic TV.
As for current dramas and comedies, the service will host episodes the day after they air live, both for computer users and those who download the mobile app. Beyond scripted series like The Good Wife and Cheers, the service also has special content, including awards ceremonies and other live events. Depending on where you live, you can also watch live CBS programming through your computer or mobile device. That should help football fans who are on the go, among other people. When Big Brother returns next summer, they’ll be broadcasting live feeds for All Access subscribers, so it seems like the sky is the limit at this early point in the service’s lifespan.
According to Deadline, CBS has reportedly worked with affiliates all over the country in turning this into a reality, so there shouldn’t be much backlash. (Though I’m not entirely certain about that.) And the network execs reassured non-subscribers that the network is not going to ditch its current website/app model, where shows are posted on the site the day after airing, with an eight-day gap for mobile users. But the All Access service will give audiences access to entire series, so if that’s worth $5.99 a month to you, now’s your chance.
CBS is even allowing curious people to use the service for free for a week by signing up here. I’m not going to say that sounds like a good way to spend a week binge-watching stuff for zero money, but I’m not saying it’s a bad idea either. Are you guys interested in this network-centered form of cord-cutting, or are you happy with hubs like Netflix and Hulu delivering TV shows for streaming?
