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THR, TVWeek

Why CBS Is Missing From the DirecTV Now Streaming Lineup

Nov 29, 2016  •  Post A Comment

With almost every major media company taking part in this week’s launch of AT&T’s new DirecTV Now streaming service, the question is being asked why CBS appears to be holding out.

The Hollywood Reporter put the question to Brad Bentley, executive VP of marketing for AT&T Entertainment Group, who appeared along with other AT&T executives Monday in Manhattan at a launch event for DirecTV.

Noting that CBS and Showtime — which is also a part of CBS Corp. — are missing from the lineup, THR asked Bentley: “What’s been the holdup in reaching a deal with CBS Corp. to be part of DirecTV Now?”

Bentley’s response: “They went out with CBS All Access and wanted to go direct to consumer on their own and hold back a lot of those VOD rights. They have the notion of a much higher price point they want for the service to go over-the-top.”

The AT&T executive added: “I think at the end of the day consumers don’t want to deal with multiple [services]. I think when they [CBS] see this product, they are going to realize that they want to be part of it, and we would love to have them. I suspect something gets done.”

AT&T also unveiled the eagerly anticipated pricing structure for DirecTV Now, as we reported separately, while also discussing exclusive content deals with Taylor Swift and Reese Witherspoon.

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5 Comments

  1. As a Star Trek fan, who very much wants to watch the new series, I don’t want to deal directly with CBS. I don’t intend to deal with every Tom, Dick, or Harry network that wants me to pay for each of their individual plans. My income is limited, as are my choices, so I have to be selective. Netflix and Hulu are about it. Third and fourth choices simply aren’t in the cards.

    I think they are charging too much for their service, so I won’t be watching. Besides, it seems a lot of those “special” shows are eventually ending up in syndication on broadcast TV anyway.

  2. It seems money is always the thing with CBS. They care more about the $$ that the people who keep their network alive. If they stay off my TV long enough I might just get used to not seeing all the shows I watched on CBS. I will miss David Muir the most!.

  3. CBS is making a bad name for itself. I’m sue that I can find something else to watch on other stations. Too bad that money is your God.

  4. This is unacceptable AT&T/directv is going to see an exodus of customers leaving and going to Comcast just to get local service. Which is really sad because Comcast already is too expensive and does not have the reliability that I have had with Directv. We Americans spend too much time and money watching tv already. I may have to cancel all services. That will save me about $3000 a year , just to watch tv. How did this happen. And you know this is all about money. and corporate greed. Sad, really sad

  5. This has gone far to long and if you want to keep your customers you need to do something about it. I am sure I am not the only who feels this way. I am thinking about going to Dish because I know they still have CBS .

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