CBS Left Unions Out Of Prime-Time Streaming Plans

Hollywood’s unions play the role of last to know in network online streaming scenarios. This time CBS left the DGA, SAG and WGA out of the networks’ plans for next-day streaming on Innertube. Does it matter? Not much now — aside from miffed feelings — but Variety suggests it could set the tone for next year’s labor negotiations when compensation for digital re-use is likely to be among the hottest of topics. After ABC’s surprise iTunes announcement last year, the guilds demanded pay TV rates; ABC is paying on the home video rate ie 75 percent less for series downloads. Touchstone is paying the higher rate for mobile episodes of “Lost.”
Publicly the guilds are keeping quiet this time.
Related: CBS Does An ABC: Streaming Primetime Shows Online In Fall; Ad-Supported

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