Speaking with investors this morning, ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish says the CBS All Access subscription service will be rebranded, significantly retooled and relaunched this summer.
The new version will be greatly expanded to incorporate more of the company’s cable brands and library programming, including the Paramount Pictures library and shows from Nickelodeon, BET and other networks in the wake of the reunification of Viacom and CBS.
The plan is to deliver a “broad pay streaming product” which will also launch in multiple international markets over the next year. The CBS All Access and Showtime standalone services are on track to hit a combined 16 million subscribers by year’s end, and more than 100 library films from Paramount were just added to All Access today.
Also today, NBCUniversal’s rival streaming service Peacock has confirmed it will be available across Apple’s family of devices (including iPhones, iPads and Apple TV) for the national U.S. launch this summer on July 15th. Apple owners will be able to access the ad-supported Peacock Free for no charge, or subscribe to the Peacock Premium tiers via in-app purchases – getting access to 15,000-plus hours of content ad-free.
Then there’s cinema chain Alamo Drafthouse who’ve announced they are launching a video-on-demand platform called Alamo on Demand – one created in partnership with ScreenPlus and Vista Cinema. The SVOD service will allow the exhibitor to extend services beyond its 41 locations in the United States and offers an additional revenue stream while cinemas are entirely closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The entertainment service will be carefully curated and house everything from blockbusters to indie darlings for rental or purchase.
Source: Deadline
