CBS will launch a sports-themed, 24-hour livestreaming network later this year, CBS Corp. chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves announced during CBS’ earnings call.
According to Adweek, the still-unnamed sports network “is “part of our ongoing OTT strategy,” according to Moonves. “We think sports fans are looking for something like this, and that opportunity is significant,” he said.
“In 2014, CBS rolled out CBSN, which has been “a terrific growth engine for us,” Moonves said, with streams up 38 percent in the past quarter. Last week, CBSN was added to CBS All Access, the company’s streaming subscription service, and Moonves said it is now also a stand-alone channel as the company’s live TV streaming bundle deals with companies like Hulu and, as of this morning, DirecTV Now.
““We’re the early stages of replicating [CBSN’s] success in the world of sports,” said Moonves.
“In launching the new digital network, CBS will rely on the same infrastructure it uses for CBSN to keep costs down. “We think we have a good opportunity to succeed,” Moonves said. “The chances of profitability are very good.”
“Moonves said that three years ago, CBS opted to create a digital news network, rather than a linear one, because “to begin a brand new cable news network would not be smart” with CNN, Fox News and MSNBC already well-established, Moonves said. “It seemed logical to go into streaming. There’s an opportunity in sports as well.””
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