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AT&T and CBS Corp. on Monday unveiled an agreement that will see the telecom giant carry CBS, as well as Showtime, The CW, Pop and CBS Sports Network on its DirecTV Now live TV streaming service.
CBS had been a big holdout when the service was first launched late last year.
All networks in the deal will be available to stream live, with much of their programming available on demand as well, the companies said. “DirecTV Now will feature live streaming of CBS-owned local television stations in many of the largest U.S. markets at launch,” including New York, L.A. and Chicago, they added. “All affiliates of CBS and The CW will have the opportunity to participate going forward as well.”
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Showtime will be offered as an add-on, premium subscription service to those customers who subscribe to DirecTV Now.
Financial terms of the carriage deal were not disclosed.
“We are pleased we have reached a deal to make the CBS television network, The CW and our cable networks available on DirecTV Now,” said Ray Hopkins, president, Television Networks Distribution, CBS Corp. “For any bundle to be truly successful, CBS is must-have content, and we are happy that AT&T will bring our hit programming to their DirecTV Now offering. This agreement fits perfectly into our strategy to deliver industry-leading content to viewers across multiple platforms and screens.”
“This is another key milestone in bringing DirecTV Now users access to their favorite entertainment, news and sports from all of the major broadcast networks,” said Daniel York, senior executive vp and chief content officer AT&T Entertainment Group. “As we add more live national and local channels, we know even more people will choose DirecTV Now as their go-to streaming service.”
In the coming weeks, DirecTV Now said it also plans to launch “at least 30” additional ABC, Fox and NBC affiliates on the service. This will bring the total to over 170 live local channels available across more than 80 metro areas.
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