CBS boosts All Access video streaming with live NFL games
CBS on Thursday announced a significant coup for its All Access video service, revealing that as of Dec. 4 subscribers will be able to stream the network's NFL games -- though smartphone owners will have to turn elsewhere.
All NFL on CBS games will be included, along with pregame and halftime coverage, and some NFL Game Pass material. The company is promising availability in 150 markets, but due to industry deals, the only way of streaming the games on a smartphone -- iPhone or otherwise -- will be through the NFL Mobile app on Verizon.
All Access viewers will however be able to stream via an iPad or Apple TV, and several other platforms including Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox, and the Web.
Professional sports are often considered a "holy grail" for video streaming services, given their diehard fanbases and the reluctance of networks like ESPN to risk lucrative deals with cable and satellite providers.
All Access offers two plans: a "Limited Commercials" option costing $5.99 per month, and the $9.99 "Commercial Free" tier, which despite its name still laces some shows with ads.
All NFL on CBS games will be included, along with pregame and halftime coverage, and some NFL Game Pass material. The company is promising availability in 150 markets, but due to industry deals, the only way of streaming the games on a smartphone -- iPhone or otherwise -- will be through the NFL Mobile app on Verizon.
All Access viewers will however be able to stream via an iPad or Apple TV, and several other platforms including Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox, and the Web.
Professional sports are often considered a "holy grail" for video streaming services, given their diehard fanbases and the reluctance of networks like ESPN to risk lucrative deals with cable and satellite providers.
All Access offers two plans: a "Limited Commercials" option costing $5.99 per month, and the $9.99 "Commercial Free" tier, which despite its name still laces some shows with ads.
Comments
Regarding the NFL, they made a decision back in the mid 1990s so bad that I gave up on them.
Disney's ABC is the only major network that is fully cooperating with the idea of OTT streaming TV.
I am trying out the at&t DirecTV now for $35 for 3 months and it looks very promising.
CBS is not onboard because they to charge $5 for all access. Don't support their expensive crap and make them deal with the likes of DirecTV Now streaming.
NBC is not fully operational yet either but should be soon.
The "DirecTV Now" App is OK but the SIRI integration is poor and DirecTV Now appears to support authentication from the individual Apps of mostly Disney channels including ABC, Disney, Disney Jr., Disney XD, ESPN, Freeform, HBO Go and Max Go, which sort of cripples some of the best features of the AppleTV. If "DirecTV Now" does not support single sign-on after it is released, I will drop the service but I think they will. There is also the issue of the 2 streams limit where it appears that you have to quit the App or the system thinks that you are still streaming in the background and prevents you from streaming somewhere else. That really sucks and I will drop the service if this gets on my nerve too much or if at&t tries to charge an arm and a leg for more streams. A stream costs them nothing except that the limit prevents sharing with multiple households.
Time will tell.