It’s been no secret that since the purchase of Network 10, CBS confirmed late last year that the All Access streaming service would launch in Australia. CBS has now confirmed the launch date, telling The Sydney Morning Herald that it will launch here by the end of the year.
The information comes from CBS’ President and Chief Executive for streaming services, Marc DeBevoise, who confirmed the date whilst speaking to media at an event in LA, saying All Access would launch in Australia in Q4 this year. Adding to this, in a phone conference call with investors two days ago, CBS president Les Moonves, stated that:
Based on our growth trajectory and the trends we see ahead … we plan to double our initial goal in just two years.
That doesn’t even include the subscribers we plan to generate internationally.
We have had early success in Canada and we are now getting ready to expand into Australia.”
What is unclear, besides an exact date for the launch, is whether the paid subscription service will replace the current, free TenPlay TV catch-up service currently on offer.
Also in question is the fate of the current content partnership arrangement that CBS currently has with streaming service rivals Stan and Netflix. Stan, a joint venture between the soon to be merged Nine Entertainment Co. and Fairfax Media. Stan currently airs a number of CBS properties including Billions and No Activity, while Netflix has local streaming rights for the jewel in the CBS All Access Crown: Star Trek: Discovery.
Other streaming rights, including local free-to-air distribution of other popular CBS shows including ‘The Good Fight’ (Currently airing on SBS) and ‘The Big Bang Theory (currently airing on Channel 9).
Pricing for the service has yet to be announced, though it’s expected to be competitive with other streaming services such as Stan at $10 per month, or Netflix at $15 per month. Though with much of their content still locked up with other providers, CBS will have a small battle to win customers over.
Of course, we will keep you up to date about any news or updates about the impending launch of CBS All Access. We would like to hear your thoughts about this new streaming service and if you would pay for a 3rd or 4th streaming service to get access to more content in the comments below.
I already pay for Netflix, YouTube Premium, NBA League Pass, and Amazon Prime Video. I’m hoping to pay for F1 TV next season assuming they offer Live streaming in AU. You’d need a really competitive product (either price or movies/series or something else like Amazon’s offering) to fit into my wallet.
Realistically if it’s not free, it’s dead.
Nobody is going to pay $10 in competition with Netflix, and $5 would still be overpriced for the lack of worthwhile content compared to even stan.
Better to make it free and get people watching. Then when you get worthwhile content in your hands you can invent a ‘premium’ tier. Far too much filler at the moment
another streaming service, that’s going to do well.