Will CBS All Access Remain Viable in the Streaming Wars?

[The Overlord]

Hmmm...let's think about it. Star Wars was doing fine for Disney until they went from every year to every 6 months.

Oops, they changed the plan and it didn't work. So, they adjusted. They didn't stop making SW movies or content.

You can argue it all you want. I just have watched business long enough to wait and see rather than judge at first blush.

Who said they couldn't be wrong? Certainly not I.

They can be wrong and AA can fail. That's OK with me. I've stated that multiple times.


You don't have to think its valuable since you are not paying for it. Others have decided it is worth it. Let the market decide.

No, corporations are not all knowing. I don't care. It can fail, for all I care. I can't make them change their mind. So, what's this doom and gloom discussion accomplishing exactly?

Actually Disney is going to cancel all the Star Wars films after that next one because they screwed up and released too much Star Wars too quickly.

I just do not want Star Trek to fail because it's attached to a bad business plan, yes that is a first world problem, but we are on Star Trek message board, its a relevant topic. Frankly, I think Viacom may have a better idea, sell their stuff to other players. Again, I found other people who do not think CBS All Access is the worth they are charging, CBS content is likely worth more as part of a larger library, then being on its own, IMO. I don't like CBS' library, but if Star Trek and that library were part of a larger library, that is a better deal for the customer. As a customer, I want the deal and I don't think the deal CBS All Access offers is good enough. Would you be opposed to all of CBS content, including the Star Trek stuff simply being a site with a larger library that may appeal to more people?

 

[fireproof78]

Actually Disney is going to cancel all the Star Wars films after that next one because they screwed up and released too much Star Wars too quickly.

No, they're not.

I just do not want Star Trek to fail because it's attached to a bad business plan, yes that is a first world problem, but we are on Star Trek message board, its a relevant topic. Frankly, I think Viacom may have a better idea, sell their stuff to other players. Again, I found other people who do not think CBS All Access is the worth they are charging, CBS content is likely worth more as part of a larger library, then being on its own, IMO. I don't like CBS' library, but if Star Trek and that library were part of a larger library, that is a better deal for the customer. As a customer, I want the deal and I don't think the deal CBS All Access offers is good enough.

I want Trek to fail if the market won't support the business model. Let them learn from their value and change it.

 

[The Overlord]

No, they're not.

What is their next Star Wars movie after this next one?

https://collider.com/david-benioff-db-weiss-star-wars-trilogy-cancelled/

Also, remember when Warner Brothers lost a ton of money on the Justice League?

These corporations screw up a lot. I do not trust their judgment.

I want Trek to fail if the market won't support the business model. Let them learn from their value and change it.

Ever thought maybe Viacom had a better idea when it started to sell its content to other streaming companies? If CBS's library was part of a site's larger library of content, including stuff I would enjoy, would that be a bad thing?

If CBS and Viacom were on the same page in terms of streaming plans, I think they would know what they are doing, but despite being about to merge, Viacom is selling its content to others, while CBS is trying to be a player in its own right, do one or the other, doing both is not going to work.

 

[fireproof78]

What is their next Star Wars movie after this next one?

https://collider.com/david-benioff-db-weiss-star-wars-trilogy-cancelled/

Also, remember when Warner Brothers lost a ton of money on the Justice League?

These corporations screw up a lot. I do not trust their judgment.

Well, they have tapped both Rian Johnson and Kevin Feige for SW projects, and Johnson has discussed doing a film trilogy. So, regardless of public perception I am willing to wait and see.

You don't trust corporations and their judgment. That's fine. I don't trust fans and their judgment.

Ever thought maybe Viacom had a better idea when it started to sell its content to other streaming companies? If CBS's library was part of a site's larger library of content, including stuff I would enjoy, would that be a bad thing?

Since you are not the target customer I'm not convinced it wold make a difference.

Maybe Viacom is right. I'll let them sort it out. I'm weird like that, letting people sort their own business.

If CBS and Viacom were on the same page in terms of streaming plans, I think they would know what they are doing, but despite being about to merge, Viacom is selling its content to others, while CBS is trying to be a player in its own right, do one or the other, doing both is not going to work.

I love the assumptions in corporate management, like the fact that they are about to merge means they automatically see eye to eye, or are running projects the same way. Again, I'm in wait and see mode.

 

[The Overlord]

Well, they have tapped both Rian Johnson and Kevin Feige for SW projects, and Johnson has discussed doing a film trilogy. So, regardless of public perception I am willing to wait and see.

Okay, apparently the Johnson film is back on track, but that does not change the fact that Disney's plan to release a film a year failed, does it?

You don't trust corporations and their judgment. That's fine. I don't trust fans and their judgment.

Since you are not the target customer I'm not convinced it wold make a difference.

Maybe Viacom is right. I'll let them sort it out. I'm weird like that, letting people sort their own business.


I love the assumptions in corporate management, like the fact that they are about to merge means they automatically see eye to eye, or are running projects the same way. Again, I'm in wait and see mode.

I do not trust the market or corporations, the market is not something I rever as others do. These corporations often do stupid things for short-sighted reasons, I do not trust their judgment. ''Trusting the market'' is for Libertarians if I think a corporation is doing something I think is immoral, greedy or just plain stupid I call them on it and what CBS is doing is not immoral, it's just greedy and stupid.

The fans can be wrong too (especially when they turn into alt-right lunatics), but I am not speaking as a fan, I am speaking someone who pays for a streaming service to be worth the money I pay for it. The CBS library on its own is not worth the money they are asking and their new content would have to be absolutely amazing to justify their price point

Fox and Disney just merged together, do they have the strategy or different ones from each other? If CBS and Viacom are merging to thrive in the streaming wars, shouldn't they be on the page?

I am not going to wait and see, because if these corporations have I what I consider bad plans, I have every right to them on it.

I found a bunch of people who think CBS All Access is overvalued, outside of this thread, can you find people singing its praises?

 

[fireproof78]

Okay, apparently the Johnson film is back on track, but that does not change the fact that Disney's plan to release a film a year failed, does it?

Since they deviated from their plan I'd say they brought it on themselves. Almost like, corporations could make mistakes... I know, I was just as shocked as you were /s

I do not trust the market or corporations, the market is not something I rever as others do. These corporations often do stupid things for short-sighted reasons, I do not trust their judgment. ''Trusting the market'' is for Libertarians if I think a corporation is doing something I think is immoral, greedy or just plain stupid I call them on it and what CBS is doing is not immoral, it's just greedy and stupid.

It's not trust, so much as it is waiting for natural consequences. I am a firm believer in natural consequences and personal responsibility. If CBS is making "greedy and stupid" decisions then you can call them out all you want. I'll just wait and see the consequences.

The fans can be wrong too (especially when they turn into alt-right lunatics), but I am not speaking as a fan, I am speaking someone who pays for a streaming service for to be worth the money I pay for it. The CBS library on its own is not worth the money they are asking and their content would have to be absolutely amazing to justify their price point

In your opinion. In my opinion, it is valuable to me. Value is in the eye of the beholder. It is not an absolute.

I found a bunch of people who think CBS All Access is overvalued, outside of this thread, can you find people singing its praises?

Do I need to? I have only stated my opinion, my experiences, and the people I have talked to. And, since you have knocked anecdotal evidence again and again, I see no reason to go find it for you.

What I care about is what happens next. If CBS is indeed making poor choices they will suffer the consequences. And there is not a damn thing I can do about it.

 

[The Overlord]

Since they deviated from their plan I'd say they brought it on themselves. Almost like, corporations could make mistakes... I know, I was just as shocked as you were /s

Solo just hastened things, a movie a year was too much, especially since the previous films came out very 3 years. You kept on saying ''we should CBS' judgment here'' and I am arguing why should we when these corporations screw up a lot?

It's not trust, so much as it is waiting for natural consequences. I am a firm believer in natural consequences and personal responsibility. If CBS is making "greedy and stupid" decisions then you can call them out all you want. I'll just wait and see the consequences.

In your opinion. In my opinion, it is valuable to me. Value is in the eye of the beholder. It is not an absolute.

Do I need to? I have only stated my opinion, my experiences, and the people I have talked to. And, since you have knocked anecdotal evidence again and again, I see no reason to go find it for you.

Of course, you don't, but I think if you think I am in a small minority who thinks CBS All Access is not worth the asking price, I think its more then you would assume.

I am making a point, anecdotal evidence does not prove trends and can be used to justify anything

But I found a fair amount on that Reddit thread who thinks its not worth the price, how people think CBS All Access is not worth, besides the 4 people on this thread arguing with me, how many people would you find who think its.

Maybe your love of CBS content is not reflected in most people?

What I care about is what happens next. If CBS is indeed making poor choices they will suffer the consequences. And there is not a damn thing I can do about it.

You can't change a lot of things in the world, people still have a right to complain about things eh?

Trust me, I know this is trivial and a first world problem, but its fun to discuss, there is no bitterness here, I am having fun talking about a franchise I like and a corporation I think is kinda stupid. I do not take anything here personally, I like Star Trek, I like show business stuff and ripping on corporations, nothing personal.

 

[fireproof78]

Of course, you don't, but I think if you think I am in a small minority who thinks CBS All Access is not worth the asking price, I think its more then you would assume.

I never said that, at all.

Maybe your love of CBS content is not reflected in most people?

Probably not. I've already stated that I am unusual in my media consumption, so I would not presume that others share my views. In fact, in my experience, few people share my views exactly.

You can't change a lot of things in the world, people still have a right to complain about things eh?

A right to? Sure. Do I take it seriously? Nope.

We simply don't have all the corporate info that they use to make their decisions. Lack of information makes for poor decision making. So, no, I don't trust corporations, and I trust individuals at times even less.

Solo just hastened things, a movie a year was too much, especially since the previous films came out very 3 years. You kept on saying ''we should CBS' judgment here'' and I am arguing why should we when these corporations screw up a lot?

Well, I disagree with that presumption. I think once a year was fine, and the five month span was too short.

You don't have to trust CBS. But, I don't see any other way around it. Bitch about it and hope they fail? There is a certain level of acceptance that comes with these discussions. I simply wait and see because the consequences will bear themselves out.

 

[DaveyNY]

The only reason I have All Access is for Trek.
(though the Mrs. does like some of the other shows)
I was going to cancel it this month, but They offered me a 2 Month for the price of one deal so I stuck with it for now.
I will probably cancel after seeing the first PICARD episode in January cause of other available viewing options that have become available.
We also have Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and I just paid for a year of Disney+.

I only watch Stranger Things & Lost in Space on Netflix.
Once LoS premiers in December, I will probably cancel it for a few months till something else comes up I like.

We have Amazon actually for the free shipping. (again though the Mrs. watches stuff there)
The Mrs. pays for HULU, but I don't use it at all.

And I'm a HUGE Disney fan so I already feel like I've gotten my years money worth in just watching a bunch of stuff over the last four days.
The Mandalorian alone, so far is worth the price.

 

[The Overlord]

I never said that, at all.

Probably not. I've already stated that I am unusual in my media consumption, so I would not presume that others share my views. In fact, in my experience, few people share my views exactly.

Exactly, you may love CBS content, but again I think this service would appeal to me and many others if it had a wider variety of stuff on it.

I think you are the exception, not the rule.

A right to? Sure. Do I take it seriously? Nope.

And complaining about nontrivial things doesn't always change things per say, doesn't mean its not useful sometimes. Who is to decide when complaining is useful or nor?

We simply don't have all the corporate info that they use to make their decisions. Lack of information makes for poor decision making. So, no, I don't trust corporations, and I trust individuals at times even less..

Except I have often said these corporations are making a stupid move when they make that move and lo and behold I am correct.

I am not driven by the profit motive and short term thinking these corporations are. I am not right all the time, but I trust my judgment over some Hollywood bean counter.

QUOTE="fireproof78, post: 13151316, member: 61243"]
Well, I disagree with that presumption. I think once a year was fine, and the five month span was too short.[/QUOTE]

I completely disagree, I think that was a terrible idea.

You don't have to trust CBS. But, I don't see any other way around it. Bitch about it and hope they fail? There is a certain level of acceptance that comes with these discussions. I simply wait and see because the consequences will bear themselves out.

Despite about to be merged with Viacom. CBS could convince

That is why I think CBS All Access is a half-assed measure if they cannot convince a company they are about merge to support them, why should assume they will ever get beyond their own limited library and few new shows every year, if no other company, not even Viacom, will invest their content into them? Where is the giant injection of new content?

If you may not want to see Paramount films on CBS All Access, but what if for someone else that would be a big get that would bring them in and make them stay? They find Star Trek will looking for Paramount's film library, but that won't happen because CBS does not have, because Viacom does not believe in this service. That is the damning thing, it makes me think its half-assed, no one else is putting their skin in this game, Viacom seems to think its a lemon. If CBS cannot get anyone to put skin in the game here, it shows me its a pretty weak player.

If Viacom can't be bothered to believe in CBS All Access, why should I or anyone else who is not in love with CBS' content think its not a lemon?

You say CBS All Access is fine the way it is, but it's so great, why doesn't anyone else put their skin in this game?

Because a lot of people think this service is not worth the price:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/10/...tar-trek-discovery-streaming-service-analysis

If CBS wanted to impress a bunch of people? Convince someone else put their content on CBS All Access, then I would think they were serious about this because I do not think their library and few new shows a year will cut it, not even close.

I wouldn't be so hard CBS All Access if I thought the CBS executives controlling it were not so lazy
and apathetic they couldn't get anyone else to invest content in their service. This supposed to be their best effort and I am supposed to be impressed they are investing in a few new shows a year? Pretty lackluster effort.

 

[fireproof78]

Exactly, you may love CBS content, but again I think this service would appeal to me and many others if it had a wider variety of stuff on it.

I think you are the exception, not the rule.

You are probably correct on that note. Still don't care.

And complaining about nontrivial things doesn't always change things per say, doesn't mean its not useful sometimes. Who is to decide when complaining is useful or nor?

If I think someone is hand wringing over things they cannot control then I'll be wondering about their state of mind. And it makes me concerned at how nontrival things consume people.

Except I have often said these corporations are making a stupid move when they make that move and lo and behold I am correct.

I am not driven by the profit motive and short term thinking these corporations are. I am not right all the time, but I trust my judgment over some Hollywood bean counter.

Congratulations on being correct.

Also, all humans are "profit motive." They are motivated by the things that profit them most, either financially, physically, emotionally, socially, etc. Sadly, the motive here appears to be proven right.

I wouldn't be so hard CBS All Access if I thought the CBS executives controlling it were not so lazy
and apathetic they couldn't get anyone else to invest content in their service. This supposed to be their best effort and I am supposed to be impressed they are investing in a few new shows a year? Pretty lackluster effort.

"Best effort?" Ok, sure. At this point its becoming clear that this is anti-corporation diatribe that isn't really interesting. Mostly because neither you nor I have all the bits of information.

And here's the thing. I am actually OK with CBS failing. I'm OK with them suffering those consequences. So, you get to be correct and I'll watch the consequences unfold. Win-win.

 

[The Overlord]

You are probably correct on that note. Still don't care.

If I think someone is hand wringing over things they cannot control then I'll be wondering about their state of mind. And it makes me concerned at how nontrival things consume people.

This kinda just fun on a message board, but I will admit, CBS is talking down to its consumers with their lackluster stream service is just annoying, I am not consumed, I will be going to forget this fairly quickly, but I think this is obnoxious and trying to squeeze money out of the fans and other people and just slap Star Trek onto something they can't be bothered to try harder with. This does not anger me, it just annoys me. I am not seething over it, but I have every right to dislike it.

If you think CBS All Access is not a half-assed measure, look at how they treat their internal users:

https://www.kutko.ca/kutko-blog/2018/4/24/cbs-all-access-launches-in-canada-but-is-it-worth-it

In Canada, they barely put any effort into it,

Y
Congratulations on being correct.

Also, all humans are "profit motive." They are motivated by the things that profit them most, either financially, physically, emotionally, socially, etc. Sadly, the motive here appears to be proven right.

"Best effort?" Ok, sure. At this point its becoming clear that this is anti-corporation diatribe that isn't really interesting. Mostly because neither you nor I have all the bits of information.

And here's the thing. I am actually OK with CBS failing. I'm OK with them suffering those consequences. So, you get to be correct and I'll watch the consequences unfold. Win-win.

I could find a bunch of papers and articles saying the profit motive is not natural, but that is outside this topic.

I am just saying given my outlook, the ''trust the corporation, they clearly have a plan'' argument never works with me, I will never buy it. Every time that argument is presented to me, I will doubt it right away. The Corporation knows the best argument never works with me.

If CBS All Access fails, I would just hope they could put them somewhere else quickly, I think it would be unfair if these shows got cut short because of CBS's lack of a good streaming plan. Yes, it's not the end of the world if these shows end, its a first world problem and I will get over it quickly, but I rather they end a natural way, rather CBS not having a better plan for the streaming wars.

 

[fireproof78]

This kinda just fun on a message board, but I will admit, CBS is talking down to its consumers with their lackluster stream service is just annoying, I am not consumed, I will be going to forget this fairly quickly, but I think this is obnoxious and trying to squeeze money out of the fans and other people and just slap Star Trek onto something they can't be bothered to try harder with. This does not anger me, it just annoys me. I am not seething over it, but I have every right to dislike it.

If you think CBS All Access is not a half-assed measure, look at how they treat their internal users:

https://www.kutko.ca/kutko-blog/2018/4/24/cbs-all-access-launches-in-canada-but-is-it-worth-it

In Canada, they barely put any effort into it,

A pity. By all means, dislike it. Have I argued otherwise?

I could find a bunch of papers and articles saying the profit motive is not natural, but that is outside this topic.

Humans are motivated by what benefits them, to fill needs. What kind of needs is another question-a most fascinating one that I encounter daily. Economic profit motive may be unnatural, as you say, but nevertheless, we are motivated to meet our needs, to profit in one sense. But, that is probably just twisting words now.

I am just saying given my outlook, the ''trust the corporation, they clearly have a plan'' argument never works with me, I will never buy it. Every time that argument is presented to me, I will doubt it right away. The Corporation knows the best argument never works with me.

Good for you, I mean that. I am not trying to say, "They have a plan-trust them." I am saying we don't have all the facts, so concluding doom and gloom is going to cause my skepticism to rise quickly. Proclaiming catastrophic failure is something I find suspicious.

If CBS All Access fails, I would just hope they could put them somewhere else quickly, I think it would be unfair if these shows got cut short because of CBS's lack of a good streaming plan. Yes, it's not the end of the world if these shows end, its a first world problem and I will get over it quickly, but I rather they end a natural way, rather CBS not having a better plan for the streaming wars.

What is the natural way for a show to end? A rather odd phrasing.

Personally, at this point, I tire of the fandom wars, of the constant canon battles and lack of joy in watching a show. It's hard, very hard at this point, to actually want the show to continue, to hope for a new movie, when I just watch it get torn down over and over and over again.

I guess that's why I hope CBS makes something out of AA, despite its limitations in audience appeal. Because I tire of things being so damn negative in this arena. But, at the same time, I think it would be better if Trek simply stopped. Because it doesn't benefit anyone if it just gets dissected over and over again, from corporate decisions, to BTS drama, to canon wars. It's tiring.

First world problems indeed.

 

[Nightdiamond]

What is their next Star Wars movie after this next one?

https://collider.com/david-benioff-db-weiss-star-wars-trilogy-cancelled/

Also, remember when Warner Brothers lost a ton of money on the Justice League?

These corporations screw up a lot. I do not trust their judgment.



Ever thought maybe Viacom had a better idea when it started to sell its content to other streaming companies? If CBS's library was part of a site's larger library of content, including stuff I would enjoy, would that be a bad thing?

If CBS and Viacom were on the same page in terms of streaming plans, I think they would know what they are doing, but despite being about to merge, Viacom is selling its content to others, while CBS is trying to be a player in its own right, do one or the other, doing both is not going to work.

I have to agree somewhat with this. Paying attention to feedback could have led them to see what would happen with Solo and any future trilogy they planned to make. There already seem to be a growing frustration with the movies, starting with TFA.



As far CBSAA, one minor problem is when you think CBS All Access, you probably get the impression it is mostly TV style dramas and reality shows.

Picard would probably look awkward being one of the few sci shows surrounded by so many dramas and such. Its probably not true but it was the impression I got when I first heard of it.

 

[Alan Roi]

What is their next Star Wars movie after this next one?

https://collider.com/david-benioff-db-weiss-star-wars-trilogy-cancelled/

Also, remember when Warner Brothers lost a ton of money on the Justice League?

These corporations screw up a lot. I do not trust their judgment.

This is often because they are publicly traded companies who are looking at the next shareholders report. But yes, more Star Wars films are on the horizon as well as new Star Wars TV shows, because Disney has moved to promote their streaming service as well as restructuring their executive. And while, yes, WB lost some cash from totally screwing up JL. So what? Incredible Hulk flopped and that didn't stop the Marvel from making movies, they just went immediately to an Iron Man sequel to prop them back up. PS, 2 of DC's 3 films post JL cashed in at over a billion and there are 5 more coming up over the next couple years at least 2 of which are likely to earn over a billion. All WB dumped and all they really wanted to was the howling anything Zach Snyder was engendered because $$$, just like SW is moving likely to a less divisive state that The Last Jedi created, because $$$. CBS is sort of doing the same thing with Picard in some ways, I'll agree, but they've also learned via The Orville, that reactionary ST fans are easily appeased by nostalgia, and will ignore all sorts of stuff they claim they hate if they just get color coded uniforms and TNG era alumni stuntcasting. But again, this is for the $$$. If we actually get actual art of out it, that will be lucky for us.

 

[The Overlord]

A pity. By all means, dislike it. Have I argued otherwise?

Humans are motivated by what benefits them, to fill needs. What kind of needs is another question-a most fascinating one that I encounter daily. Economic profit motive may be unnatural, as you say, but nevertheless, we are motivated to meet our needs, to profit in one sense. But, that is probably just twisting words now.

Good for you, I mean that. I am not trying to say, "They have a plan-trust them." I am saying we don't have all the facts, so concluding doom and gloom is going to cause my skepticism to rise quickly. Proclaiming catastrophic failure is something I find suspicious.

What is the natural way for a show to end? A rather odd phrasing.

Personally, at this point, I tire of the fandom wars, of the constant canon battles and lack of joy in watching a show. It's hard, very hard at this point, to actually want the show to continue, to hope for a new movie, when I just watch it get torn down over and over and over again.

I guess that's why I hope CBS makes something out of AA, despite its limitations in audience appeal. Because I tire of things being so damn negative in this arena. But, at the same time, I think it would be better if Trek simply stopped. Because it doesn't benefit anyone if it just gets dissected over and over again, from corporate decisions, to BTS drama, to canon wars. It's tiring.

First world problems indeed.

I think we are talking in circles and this not going anywhere.

If you like CBS All Access' overall library content, that is fine, that is your choice. I happen to disagree. We can agree to disagree at this point.

 

[fireproof78]

I think we are talking in circles and this not going anywhere.

If you like CBS All Access' overall library content, that is fine, that is your choice. I happen to disagree. We can agree to disagree at this point.

That was really my only point.

 

[drt]

What everyone seems to be forgetting is that CBS All Access also has a ton of sports, including the NFL. That's probably worth more than a huge back catalog of old TV shows and movies.

 

[eschaton]

The thing to remember guys is that CBS didn't enter into the streaming wars necessarily because they thought they had a good chance of success. It was because they didn't see any other option.

Broadcast TV is dying after all. The median age of virtually all popular TV shows is somewhere in the 50-60 range, and back in 2015, before All Access, CBS had the highest median age overall, at 59.5 years. Young people watch a lot less TV in part because various internet activities (chatting, gaming, shitposting, youtubing, etc) have replaced what was "TV time" generations ago. But to the extent they still watch shows, it's mostly on mobile devices and streaming services.

CBS was looking at a future where the majority of its viewer base died off over the next two decades. As a result, the revenue from advertising would continue to fall, and the network would increasingly operate as an independent studio which sold its content to Netflix and other streaming services. In doing this, it would be at a severe disadvantage compared to integrated studios, and would - even if it managed to survive - do so in extremely diminished form. More likely it would be disassembled, with the brands which held the most cache sold off to corporations which could do something useful with them.

CBS All Access is a desperate attempt to stay relevant - to enter the streaming wars with its own service. I think it's still overpriced and under-contented however. Moving the Paramount and Showtime content onto the service - with a rebranding most likely - would help tremendously. But I wouldn't be surprised if it ultimately fails regardless. This really isn't a bad thing for Star Trek though, because as one of the most valuable franchises, I doubt it would remain in hiatus for long - if at all. Most likely CBS-Paramount merges with someone else - like Apple, Netflix, or Amazon - and the problem is solved.

 

[The Overlord]

The thing to remember guys is that CBS didn't enter into the streaming wars necessarily because they thought they had a good chance of success. It was because they didn't see any other option.

Broadcast TV is dying after all. The median age of virtually all popular TV shows is somewhere in the 50-60 range, and back in 2015, before All Access, CBS had the highest median age overall, at 59.5 years. Young people watch a lot less TV in part because various internet activities (chatting, gaming, shitposting, youtubing, etc) have replaced what was "TV time" generations ago. But to the extent they still watch shows, it's mostly on mobile devices and streaming services.

CBS was looking at a future where the majority of its viewer base died off over the next two decades. As a result, the revenue from advertising would continue to fall, and the network would increasingly operate as an independent studio which sold its content to Netflix and other streaming services. In doing this, it would be at a severe disadvantage compared to integrated studios, and would - even if it managed to survive - do so in extremely diminished form. More likely it would be disassembled, with the brands which held the most cache sold off to corporations which could do something useful with them.

CBS All Access is a desperate attempt to stay relevant - to enter the streaming wars with its own service. I think it's still overpriced and under-contented however. Moving the Paramount and Showtime content onto the service - with a rebranding most likely - would help tremendously. But I wouldn't be surprised if it ultimately fails regardless. This really isn't a bad thing for Star Trek though, because as one of the most valuable franchises, I doubt it would remain in hiatus for long - if at all. Most likely CBS-Paramount merges with someone else - like Apple, Netflix, or Amazon - and the problem is solved.

Exactly, that is what I am saying, I have not heard a compelling argument here that CBS All Access' content its own would be a compelling enough to be viable and thinking CBS would be happy way fewer profits than other entertainment companies in the streaming wars is rather naive. I think Viacom may have a better strategy here, they sell their content to other players, South Park is going to HBO Max, the Nickelodeon stuff is going to Netflix, if that stuff was CBS All Access their chances would be better.

I don't think some people here appreciate that almost every company is asking for a subscription fee, not just Netflix or Disney, but Amazon and Spotify and a bunch of other things too. Some people here can say CBS All Access will be fine with just Star Trek and reruns of NCIS and God Friended Me, but really how members of the general public would choose CBS All Access as one of their options over all the other stuff out there?

CBS has useful IP, not enough to carry an entire platform with, IMO. If people here love CBS's content so much, would they be mad if it is moved elsewhere, to a streaming service with a wider variety of content that appeals to other more people?

Some of these services can't survive on their own, the DC Universe's days are numbered now that WB is throwing its weight behind HBO Max. Not every service can survive.

But maybe you are right, Star Trek is likely the most viable thing CBS has now, so maybe it be seamlessly moved to a better streaming service.

What everyone seems to be forgetting is that CBS All Access also has a ton of sports, including the NFL. That's probably worth more than a huge back catalog of old TV shows and movies.

Disney is bundling Disney plus, with Hulu and ESPN though, so that would be sports and a ton of other stuff.