The Desk appreciates the support of readers who purchase products or services through links on our website. Learn more...

CBS hopes to improve “All Access” with original programming

The CBS logo.
The CBS logo.

Take one look at the comments thread on The Desk‘s review of CBS All Access and it’s clear to see that those who have tried it have considered it to be more of a miss than a hit.

It is a reputation CBS is hoping to reverse by adding more original programming to the service, according to comments made by the network’s chief executive on a recent conference call.

The website Broadcasting & Cable cited Leslie Moonves as committing to additional original content for the streaming service, drawing on its much-anticipated reboot of the classic TV series Star Trek.

Older episodes can already be seen on CBS All Access, and the network is hoping the reboot will draw more customers to the service.

CBS All Access allows customers to stream classic and some current TV shows along with live programming from a handful of CBS stations and affiliates for around $6 a month. The Desk reviewed the service when it launched more than a year ago, and customers have filled the post’s comments thread with criticism and scorn of the service, mostly due to its lack of recent episodes of hit TV shows and for inserting commercials during on-demand and live programming.

But CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves said this week that has been a significant amount of interest shown to the service thanks in part to an advertisement aired for All Access during last weekend’s Super Bowl game, which CBS aired nationally. The service saw a “record number” of new subscriptions started in the days that followed the football game, Moonves said, and the network is hoping to retain subscribers and improve those numbers by adding more original programming to the streaming service.

Adding more original shows might help justify All Access’ pricepoint. Six dollars is a lot for customers to pay per month for content they can usually get on over-the-air television for free, or as part of a Hulu subscription (some CBS network shows are offered on Hulu’s premium service).

Original content has helped rival streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon retain customers by offering quality movies and shows that can’t be accessed on other platforms. CBS is hoping to capitalize on that trend, though the network hasn’t announced which shows it might add as part of its original content lineup.

Disclosure: This article contains special hyperlinks to affiliate programs that help generate revenue for The Desk. Such hyperlinks are not intended to constitute an endorsement, sponsorship or warranty of any good or service.

Photo of author

About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys covers the business of broadcast and streaming TV, radio broadcasting, social media, technology and telecommunications. A journalist for over 15 years, Matthew previously worked at Thomson Reuters, KGO-TV in San Francisco, KTXL in Sacramento and McNaughton Newspapers. He received 9 California Journalism Awards between 2018 and 2020, and is a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors).
Home » News » Industries » Television » CBS hopes to improve “All Access” with original programming