USA distribution -CBS All Access discussion

[fireproof78]

No it does not require a raise in prices, CBS already has the rights to those shows, just put them on.

The problem with CBS All Access is lack of variety, yeah not everyone would want to see the Showtime shows, but I bet a lot of people would, I think it would broaden its appeal. I am not even sure CBS All Access even has any decent shows for kids.

The unwillingness to put the Showtime content on this service makes it seem like CBS just see this service as a quick cash grab rather then something they are putting their A effort into.

The fact of the matter is that we just don't know what all CBS is planning, because they are not going to show all their cards.

Showtime might be a different content than that requires additional negotiation. They might be unveiling more as it gets closer to the new launch.

When I decide to subscribe, I will give you a full report, since i have daughters and varying interests.

 

[eyeresist]

Maybe they'll put the Showtime content in a deluxe package called All Access Advanced.

 

[EnderAKH]

You are ignoring one of my points, if CBS is so gun ho to All Access a success, why are the Showtime programs not on it? I question how much effort they are putting into this service, if they can't be bothered to put all their assets on it. We are not talking about Shudder, we are talking about CBS All Access, what makes it so great. You complain about Netflix, but how is CBS All Access better then Netflix, in any way?

And I think cord cutters are not going to want to subscribe to a dozen services, so yeah, CBS All Access has to compete with all of them.



Again, I don't think cord cutters are going to want to subscribe to a dozen services, that is too expensive, so they are going to pick and chose and I don't think NCIS reruns and even a new Star Trek show is enough to make them competitive in this market.

Because
that is not who CBS targets. They do not target an "edgy" audience. They target a safe mainstream audience, and are consistently the number 1 network for doing so. CBS All Access is a hedge against those cord cutters who leave their network than for no other reason than it isn't streaming. They are targeting a CBS audience. The same people who watch CBS now, but no longer have cable, so they can recapture that revenue. And the original content they are experimenting with? All shows that would appear on CBS. Big Brother. The Good Wife spin off. And, yes, Star Trek. You are trying to bend them into a service that they are not and likely never will be.

 

[fireproof78]

Because
that is not who CBS targets. They do not target an "edgy" audience. They target a safe mainstream audience, and are consistently the number 1 network for doing so. CBS All Access is a hedge against those cord cutters who leave their network than for no other reason than it isn't streaming. They are targeting a CBS audience. The same people who watch CBS now, but no longer have cable, so they can recapture that revenue. And the original content they are experimenting with? All shows that would appear on CBS. Big Brother. The Good Wife spin off. And, yes, Star Trek. You are trying to bend them into a service that they are not and likely never will be.

In addition, there seems to be a demand for CBS to put their entire playbook at their right now. But, my question is, "Why would they?" To prove they have an online service? People already know that. To showcase new content? Well, their "flagship" show isn't out yet, so why pull the trigger?

Entertainment is a highly capricious, highly competitive, highly vindictive marketplace. In my opinion, if I'm CBS, I'm not launching the full torpedo spread, to borrow a Star Trek example, without everything in place where they can control it. Period.

Given how slow some of the bigger parties are in Hollywood to change, this shouldn't be surprising, at least to my view.

 

[The Overlord]

Because
that is not who CBS targets. They do not target an "edgy" audience. They target a safe mainstream audience, and are consistently the number 1 network for doing so. CBS All Access is a hedge against those cord cutters who leave their network than for no other reason than it isn't streaming. They are targeting a CBS audience. The same people who watch CBS now, but no longer have cable, so they can recapture that revenue. And the original content they are experimenting with? All shows that would appear on CBS. Big Brother. The Good Wife spin off. And, yes, Star Trek. You are trying to bend them into a service that they are not and likely never will be.

Well then I don’t think CBS All Access would be worth my support, because I think CBS is full of meandering pap, rather the best television shows out on the market. I ses no evidence CBSAA has a diverse library compared to better streaming services out there and if they no intrest in diversing their library, I would have no interest in getting it.

I think people outside of North America got a better deal with the Star Trek show being on Netflix in other countries.

 

[fireproof78]

There isn't enough evidence to conclude that yet.

 

[The Overlord]

There isn't enough evidence to conclude that yet.

This service has been around for 2 years, what have they done to get more diverse content? Netflix can make deals with other companies to increase its library size, would CBS do the same? For example Netflix teamed up with Disney to create the Marvel shows and the teamed up with Dream Works to create a Voltron show for kids, would CBS do something like that?

Frankly CBS comes across as an old corporate dinosaur who made this service because they saw the profits Netflix was getting, but they have no idea why people like streaming services in the first place.

 

[JWPlatt]

Frankly CBS comes across as an old corporate dinosaur who made this service because they saw the profits Netflix was getting, but they have no idea why people like streaming services in the first place.

Yes, they want their viewers to conform to their idea of a good business model (for themselves) instead of conforming to what the viewers want. It's wishful thinking. History is full of dumb programming executive suits just like that. The market will have the final word.

 

[fireproof78]

This service has been around for 2 years, what have they done to get more diverse content? Netflix can make deals with other companies to increase its library size, would CBS do the same? For example Netflix teamed up with Disney to create the Marvel shows and the teamed up with Dream Works to create a Voltron show for kids, would CBS do something like that?

Frankly CBS comes across as an old corporate dinosaur who made this service because they saw the profits Netflix was getting, but they have no idea why people like streaming services in the first place.

Potentially. I won't argue that. But, they also are not willing to spend money on things they don't need. The idea that after two years they have to change immediately.

We don't have enough information to know what CBS has in the works. As I said, keeping cards close in is essential in this day and age. CBS isn't willing to spend money on what they don't think will work, any more than you are willing to spend money you don't have to on All Access.

 

[ancient]

In the future, streaming services will come in bundles of 300 like satellite channels and we will all be nostalgic for the good old days when we could pick & choose.

 

[Spot's Meow]

Well then I don’t think CBS All Access would be worth my support, because I think CBS is full of meandering pap, rather the best television shows out on the market. I ses no evidence CBSAA has a diverse library compared to better streaming services out there and if they no intrest in diversing their library, I would have no interest in getting it.

I think people outside of North America got a better deal with the Star Trek show being on Netflix in other countries.

If you don't like the current content that CBS offers, then clearly CBS All Access isn't for you. That doesn't make it a poor service doomed to fail, it makes it a service that you don't have a particular interest in. Will it be a mega success? Who knows. I don't think it will get anywhere near Netflix subscription levels, but I don't think they are expecting to. Netflix tries to please the broadest audience possible. CBS is not necessarily doing the same. They provide a certain type of content that some enjoy, and some do not.

Just because you don't find value in it does not mean that others don't. If you don't think the product is worth your money, then don't buy the product, simple as that. I personally feel that it is worth my $5.99 a month, so I pay it.

 

[The Overlord]

If you don't like the current content that CBS offers, then clearly CBS All Access isn't for you. That doesn't make it a poor service doomed to fail, it makes it a service that you don't have a particular interest in. Will it be a mega success? Who knows. I don't think it will get anywhere near Netflix subscription levels, but I don't think they are expecting to. Netflix tries to please the broadest audience possible. CBS is not necessarily doing the same. They provide a certain type of content that some enjoy, and some do not.

Just because you don't find value in it does not mean that others don't. If you don't think the product is worth your money, then don't buy the product, simple as that. I personally feel that it is worth my $5.99 a month, so I pay it.

I am just unhappy that they are tying the new Star Trek show to a service that frankly I don't think is worth $5.99 a month. If this service fails, will the show be cancelled? If some people are on a budget, they may have to chose between Netflix and All Access and Star Trek by itself may not to be able to sway things in All Access' favor. I don't think most people on this board would care about All Access if it wasn't the home of a new Star Trek show.

I live in Canada, so the distribution is different. I don't like the distribution model in Canada, but does seem better then All Access. I think if this show was on Netflix everywhere, it would be more popular and get more views and that would be the easiest and most convenient way to watch it. Everything I hear about All Access seems to make it a worse experience then Netflix, it has ads you cannot turn off through out the video and people are saying old episodes will disappear as new ones are added, unlike Netflix where episodes stay on the site after they are released. How is any of that a good deal for cord cutters?

 

[fireproof78]

I am just unhappy that they are tying the new Star Trek show to a service that frankly I don't think is worth $5.99 a month. If this service fails, will the show be cancelled? If some people are on a budget, they may have to chose between Netflix and All Access and Star Trek by itself may not to be able to sway things in All Access' favor. I don't think most people on this board would care about All Access if it wasn't the home of a new Star Trek show.

I live in Canada, so the distribution is different. I don't like the distribution model in Canada, but does seem better then All Access. I think if this show was on Netflix everywhere, it would be more popular and get more views and that would be the easiest and most convenient way to watch it. Everything I hear about All Access seems to make it a worse experience then Netflix, it has ads you cannot turn off through out the video and people are saying old episodes will disappear as new ones are added, unlike Netflix where episodes stay on the site after they are released. How is any of that a good deal for cord cutters?

Unless CBS plans are realizing more information closer to release?

Star Trek is the draw, but they are pouring money in to a project and the idea that they won't do more with the service as well strikes me as odd, to say the least.

I think if All Access is a bust for CBS, they will have a plan for that eventuality and sell it or can as necessary. I just don't think there is enough information to judge it yet.

 

[The Overlord]

Unless CBS plans are realizing more information closer to release?

Star Trek is the draw, but they are pouring money in to a project and the idea that they won't do more with the service as well strikes me as odd, to say the least.

I think if All Access is a bust for CBS, they will have a plan for that eventuality and sell it or can as necessary. I just don't think there is enough information to judge it yet.

Well you keep on saying that maybe CBS has some cards they are playing to close their vest regarding this service, but I don't see how that makes from a business standpoint. Why doesn't CBS put all their cards on the table and make this service as attractive as possible right away? Unless they don't know how to make a great streaming service, I don't see any reason to assume they have a good business plan with this service.

They have a separate service for the Showtime content, not putting all their content on one service comes off as greedy double dipping. The ads and the episodes disappearing after a while comes across as more double dipping.

You said why should CBS spend money to make deals with other companies to produce content and I say to that is, why should I pay for a streaming site where CBS is not going to put an A effort into making it as great as possible?

You are right in saying we don't know as much as we could to make an informed decision on whether CBS All Access is going to be great or not, but who's fault is that? I wouldn't be assuming that CBS All Access is just some lazy cash grab, if they did more to disprove that notion, but I don't see them doing that.

I think if Netflix did have the rights to the new show, people here would be talking about the virtues of Netflix. I like Star Trek, but I shouldn't become an uncritical consumer, just because CBS All Access has the rights to the new show.

Star Trek fans have waiting for a long time for a new show, so if the show fails because the service fails, it does unfair to the fans, instead of the show failing on its own merits or flaws, it fails because it was tied to a bad business plan.

 

[JWPlatt]

I am just unhappy that they are tying the new Star Trek show to a service that frankly I don't think is worth $5.99 a month. If this service fails, will the show be cancelled?

I live in Canada... Netflix...

Living outside the Unites States and being familiar with Netflix, you should already have informed yourself that CBS All Access exclusive access to Star Trek Discovery is limited only to the United States, and that the show is already paid for by worldwide distribution commitments. Thus, it is not dependent upon the success of CBS All Access. If CBS's myopic experiment with their wishful thinking about consumers and the All Access business model fails (yeah, no stilted language there, eh?), they'll adjust to the enlightenment. Eventually.

I give the chances of CBS winning over consumers in the United States to CBS's way of thinking about as much chance as Trump has in today's election.

 

[fireproof78]

Well you keep on saying that maybe CBS has some cards they are playing to close their vest regarding this service, but I don't see how that makes from a business standpoint. Why doesn't CBS put all their cards on the table and make this service as attractive as possible right away? Unless they don't know how to make a great streaming service, I don't see any reason to assume they have a good business plan with this service.

I don't see any reason to assume they don't. Lack of information is not evidence to the contrary.

They have a separate service for the Showtime content, not putting all their content on one service comes off as greedy double dipping. The ads and the episodes disappearing after a while comes across as more double dipping.

You said why should CBS spend money to make deals with other companies to produce content and I say to that is, why should I pay for a streaming site where CBS is not going to put an A effort into making it as great as possible?

All I said is that they might not spend money on what they think won't work. I don't know what content they are trying to develop. I work for a business were this is definitely the case. Information is limited to "need to know" and even upper level supervisors don't know what the company is planning for expansion, advertising, etc.

My main point is that the choices CBS makes is determined on the best way to make money in a volatile market. I don't know if it's "double dipping" or greed, or just cautious planning. I don't know.

You are right in saying we don't know as much as we could to make an informed decision on whether CBS All Access is going to be great or not, but who's fault is that? I wouldn't be assuming that CBS All Access is just some lazy cash grab, if they did more to disprove that notion, but I don't see them doing that.

I think if Netflix did have the rights to the new show, people here would be talking about the virtues of Netflix. I like Star Trek, but I shouldn't become an uncritical consumer, just because CBS All Access has the rights to the new show.

Star Trek fans have waiting for a long time for a new show, so if the show fails because the service fails, it does unfair to the fans, instead of the show failing on its own merits or flaws, it fails because it was tied to a bad business plan.

Then it fails. I'm not going to treat Star Trek specially in the market because "Star Trek."

Since they already have a deal with Netflix, I can see CBS having a backup plan to negotiate a different distribution deal. But, that's me. It's not my money that is being spent to make this service work.

 

[The Overlord]

Living outside the Unites States and being familiar with Netflix, you should already have informed yourself that CBS All Access exclusive access to Star Trek Discovery is limited only to the United States, and that the show is already paid for by worldwide distribution commitments. Thus, it is not dependent upon the success of CBS All Access. If CBS's myopic experiment with their wishful thinking about consumers and the All Access business model fails (yeah, no stilted language there, eh?), they'll adjust to the enlightenment. Eventually.

I give the chances of CBS winning over consumers in the United States to CBS's way of thinking about as much chance as Trump has in today's election.

Well I live in Canada and its airing Space and will eventually be on Crave TV, which is not as great as having it on Netflix, but Crave TV does look like a better service then All Access, its cheaper and it has old HBO shows, but the Star Trek show would only show up there after it airs on Space, so I may just PVR it instead.

And I know Netflix has the rights to the Star Trek show in other countries, but I think putting it on All Access instead of Netflix or any other popular streaming service may hamper its success in the US, it may not kill it, put it will limit its appeal, you only have one chance to make a great first impression. Making the show as easily accessible as possible would cut down on privacy, CBS just seems to be making consumers go through a bunch of hoops to watch this show and that is not where the TV industry is going. Frankly I think other countries are getting a better deal with this show then the US and Canada.

I don't see any reason to assume they don't. Lack of information is not evidence to the contrary.

That depends on where you put the burden of proof. CBS doesn't strike me as a company that is with the times and instead is shackled to outdated thinking on the media landscape.

I think a lot people just assume a company has a great business plan for each and every operation it undertakes and that is just not the case.

All I said is that they might not spend money on what they think won't work. I don't know what content they are trying to develop. I work for a business were this is definitely the case. Information is limited to "need to know" and even upper level supervisors don't know what the company is planning for expansion, advertising, etc.

My main point is that the choices CBS makes is determined on the best way to make money in a volatile market. I don't know if it's "double dipping" or greed, or just cautious planning. I don't know.

Well consumer reviews for CBS All Access have been pretty bad so far, those may not be perfect reporting on the quality of the service, but they are not a good sign. Word of mouth is important. CBS needs some counter information, something that makes this service more attractive. I think the ads, the limited library, the episodes disappearing after a while, is short term gain that will cause long term pain.

I don't mean to be a broken record, but Netflix announces new content and new deals all the time.

Then it fails. I'm not going to treat Star Trek specially in the market because "Star Trek."

Since they already have a deal with Netflix, I can see CBS having a backup plan to negotiate a different distribution deal. But, that's me. It's not my money that is being spent to make this service work.

Its their money to spend or not spend, but they are asking for other people's money to support their service, so at that point, it does become their business on how much they want to spend on this service. Being a good consumer should be more then just buying any product a company creates and ignoring its flaws.

But hey if you get CBS All Access and it turns out to be great, that would be great. I want to be wrong here, but I don't think I am.

I actually think it will be interesting to see who will have a better time watching this show, people in the US, UK or Canada. We will see who got the best deal in regards to distribution model.

 

[JWPlatt]

Why would CBS learn from history and the likes of WB and UPN? The names have changed but the suits have the same antiquated mindset from their ties choking off their blood supply. Trying to build All Access with Star Trek as leverage makes complete sense form their point of view, which is the first view to take when trying to understand their position.

I disagree CBS has one chance. They'll change if necessary. They have time. We're just impatient.

 

[The Overlord]

Why would CBS learn from history and the likes of WB and UPN? The names have changed but the suits have the same antiquated mindset from their ties choking off their blood supply. Trying to build All Access with Star Trek as leverage makes complete sense form their point of view, which is the first view to take when trying to understand their position.

I disagree CBS has one chance. They'll change if necessary. They have time. We're just impatient.

Fair enough, do you think CBS will catch on to their flaws and try to correct them or do you think All Access will just flounder and eventually the show will just be moved to Netflix?

I just wish this show was on Netflix everywhere in the first place, I think that would have been better for everyone.

 

[fireproof78]

And I know Netflix has the rights to the Star Trek show in other countries, but I think putting it on All Access instead of Netflix or any other popular streaming service may hamper its success in the US, it may not kill it, put it will limit its appeal, you only have one chance to make a great first impression. Making the show as easily accessible as possible would cut down on privacy, CBS just seems to be making consumers go through a bunch of hoops to watch this show and that is not where the TV industry is going. Frankly I think other countries are getting a better deal with this show then the US and Canada.

I think other countries have a better deal too. Would I prefer Netflix? Sure, but they didn't ask me.

That depends on where you put the burden of proof. CBS doesn't strike me as a company that is with the times and instead is shackled to outdated thinking on the media landscape.

I think a lot people just assume a company has a great business plan for each and every operation it undertakes and that is just not the case.

Have I said a "great" plan? I think they have a plan. Whether it's great or not is a wait to see game.

As for CBS way of thinking, in case it isn't obvious, companies like CBS are terrified of change. Scared to death of it. They don't like what they can't control or predict. Guess what? They are going to be cautious in this new market. I don't fault them.

I've seen too many businesses over extend their reach and go under. Netflix has it figured out, but should everyone be like Netflix? What kind of innovation is that?

Well consumer reviews for CBS All Access have been pretty bad so far, those may not be perfect reporting on the quality of the service, but they are not a good sign. Word of mouth is important. CBS needs some counter information, something that makes this service more attractive. I think the ads, the limited library, the episodes disappearing after a while, is short term gain that will cause long term pain.

I don't mean to be a broken record, but Netflix announces new content and new deals all the time.

Yeah, CBS needs a better marketing game but if it's not ready, why announce something? The attention span of consumers now is so short that they could announce now, and it's forgotten by next week.
This is what I mean by holding on to their cards. Why put them out for a short term news bump that is quickly forgotten and has no impact on subscriptions?

Its their money to spend or not spend, but they are asking for other people's money to support their service, so at that point, it does become their business on how much they want to spend on this service. Being a good consumer should be more then just buying any product a company creates and ignoring its flaws.

But, they're not going to tell us how much they are spending is my point. The money I spend on the service will be determined by the quality of the product.
I'm not ignoring

But hey if you get CBS All Access and it turns out to be great, that would be great. I want to be wrong here, but I don't think I am.

Not enough information, but it will be a growing and learning process for CBS that, unfortunately, the consumers will not wait to let them make it better.

I actually think it will be interesting to see who will have a better time watching this show, people in the US, UK or Canada. We will see who got the best deal in regards to distribution model.

I think UK and Canada will say they have the better deal because they get Star Trek and that's it. The service doesn't matter, in that instance, because they have what they want without it forcing a change.

CBS AA is causing grief because it's a change to viewership habits that are deeply ingrained and that's going to cause pushback. It will be neither simple, nor straight forward.