Thanks to Morrigan_2575 for the heads up
CBS Corp. and Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros. have discussed creating a paid streaming service for their jointly owned CW network to generate more income from the young fans who already watch shows like “Jane the Virgin’’ online, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
The owners are weighing the move as the expiration approaches for the CW’s current agreement with station owner Tribune Media Co., as well as deals with streaming partners Netflix Inc. and Hulu LLC, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are preliminary.
The timing gives the broadcast network a chance to retool its strategy and make a direct play for the growing number of viewers who don’t pay for cable or satellite TV. The prospect of a competing online service could also serve as leverage for the CW to get paid more under new arrangements with local station owners like Tribune or online partners. The network’s prime-time audience is down about 13 percent in the current TV season, according to Nielsen data.
CBS and Time Warner already offer online services. CBS All Access, started in late 2014, provides a live feed of the namesake broadcast network and a library of on-demand shows. The company also sells subscriptions to an online version of the premium channel Showtime. Time Warner’s HBO Now was introduced last April.
The owners are weighing the move as the expiration approaches for the CW’s current agreement with station owner Tribune Media Co., as well as deals with streaming partners Netflix Inc. and Hulu LLC, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are preliminary.
The timing gives the broadcast network a chance to retool its strategy and make a direct play for the growing number of viewers who don’t pay for cable or satellite TV. The prospect of a competing online service could also serve as leverage for the CW to get paid more under new arrangements with local station owners like Tribune or online partners. The network’s prime-time audience is down about 13 percent in the current TV season, according to Nielsen data.
CBS and Time Warner already offer online services. CBS All Access, started in late 2014, provides a live feed of the namesake broadcast network and a library of on-demand shows. The company also sells subscriptions to an online version of the premium channel Showtime. Time Warner’s HBO Now was introduced last April.
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