CBS launches new subscription service for VOD and live streaming

In today’s installment of television migrating to the internet, CBS Corporation rolled out a new digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service called CBS All Access.

For $5.99 a month, subscribers can access thousands of episodes from the current season, past seasons and “classic” shows on demand, as well stream local CBS TV stations live in Chicago and 13 other U.S. markets. (More markets will be added later.)

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The service is available starting Thursday at CBS.com and on mobile devices through the CBS App for iOS and Android. It will be available on other major connected devices in the coming months, the company said. The company is offering a free trial for a week.

“Television stations have been the fabric of local broadcasting for 75 years, and today’s announcement is part of paving the way for the next 75,” CBS Television Stations President Peter Dunn said in an emailed statement. “With video consumption habits changing all the time, it is very important that we continue to provide the best local news, entertainment and sports via a service like CBS All Access.”

Here’s what you get — for now. More will be coming:

• Full current seasons of 15 primetime shows with episodes available the day after they air.
• Ability to live stream local CBS stations such as WBBM-Channel 2.
• Full past seasons of eight major current series, including THE GOOD WIFE, BLUE BLOODS and SURVIVOR.
• More than 5,000 episodes of CBS Classics, including every episode of STAR TREK, CHEERS, MACGYVER, TWIN PEAKS (timely! – Showtime will revisit this classic in a new series in 2016) and CSI: MIAMI.
• Access to exclusive additional content for special events, such as THE GRAMMY AWARDS, THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW.
• Ability to stream the BIG BROTHER 24/7 Live Feeds service for no additional fee when the show returns next summer.
• Advertising-free environment for all CBS Classics.

Non-subscribers will still have access to the most recent current episodes of CBS programming on CBS.com, select CBS Audience Network partner sites and through the CBS App. Programming will be available the day after the shows air on TV, with an eight-day delay on mobile devices for primetime series only.