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CBS’ live, local video streaming service now available in majority of U.S. markets

Chris Leo Palermino
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CBS All Access, the channel’s on-demand live video streaming service which debuted in the fall, will now cover over 60 percent of the U.S., according to the network. The network’s latest announcement names 13 additional affiliate partners that have been granted access to provide live-streaming of local TV stations, including locally syndicated series, newscasts, and other content in addition to national CBS programming.

New markets for CBS All Access include Seattle, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Oklahoma City, Santa Barbara, Wilmington, Palm Springs, and Wichita. The service now brings the live and on-demand TV service to 94 markets in the U.S., which comprise 64 percent of U.S. hoU.S.eholds.

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The streaming service differentiates itself from on-demand streaming competitors like Netflix and Hulu by giving All Access cU.S.tomers the ability to watch local affiliate content as well as their favorite shows and other special events live. It doesn’t include everything though: CBS doesn’t have the rights to stream a lot of major sporting events (including NFL games) and other big specials.

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The service, which is $6/month, offers on-demand access to nearly 7,000 episodes of CBS programming, including new episodes of currently airing shows next-day. CBS All Access cU.S.tomers can stream video online at CBS.com, on iOS and Android mobile apps, as well as through Roku and Chromecast streaming devices.

In case you’re hoping to jU.S.t watch past seasons of popular CBS shows like The Good Wife or Blue Bloods on Hulu or Netflix, you’re out of luck. Since CBS doesn’t have a stake in Hulu (which is co-owned by NBCUniversal, Fox and Disney-ABC), the network offers only a select few back-catalog classics — like I Love Lucy, Star Trek, and Twin Peaks — on other streaming video platforms. CBS All Access is designed to fill those gaps, offering thoU.S.ands of shows from the network’s storied catalog.

“The addition of these 13 affiliate groups underscores the tremendoU.S. momentum we have in building CBS All Access, and reflects the strong partnership between CBS and our CBS affiliates,” said CBS president of television networks distribution Ray Hopkins in a statement. “We look forward to adding more affiliates in the coming months, as we continue to grow the carriage of CBS local stations in their markets with this new direct-to-consumer service nationwide.”

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Chris Leo Palermino
Chris Leo Palermino
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chris Leo Palermino is a music, tech, business, and culture journalist based between New York and Boston. He also contributes…
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