About 10 months after launching its primetime shows on VOD service from Comcast, CBS has dropped the 99 cent per episode fee, reports AdAge. It is now offering eight free, ad-supported VOD shows on Comcast’s platform this fall season, keeo in line with the migration of content towards broadband, ad-supported platforms. CBS will insert three ad breaks in the shows.
The network will sell advertising separately for the on-demand programs, which include “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: NY,” “Survivor,” “NCIS,” “Numb3rs,” “Jericho” and “Big Brother.”.
According to the story, Comcast convinced CBS to agree to the free deal by offering a revenue guarantee. The two parties will split ad revenue, but even if CBS never sells an ad, it will still get a guaranteed sum from Comcast.
This industry moves in a herd: NBC has a deal with Comcast as well, as well as a similar deal with DirecTV and expect it to soon drop the 99 cent charge too.
Variety: Insiders say that effort hasn’t been particularly successful…The new one-year agreement is possible thanks to the pact CBS made with its affiliates for online streaming this summer. Same revenue-share terms apply to cable VOD.
Comcast agreement is nonexclusive, so CBS could make a similar deal with other cable operators.
The companies have issued an official release now, here: Episodes of the shows will be available for on-demand viewing starting on the day after their network airing and will remain available for four weeks.
Related: ABC, Fox On Comcast VOD Soon; Joins NBC, CBS On Next Day Sale
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