Reporting by Kambra Clifford and Errol Lewis
As technology and social media sites continue to expand, soap fans are more connected and closer than ever to their favorite daytime dramas and daytime stars. Now, CBS is taking it all a step further with a new iPhone and iPad app that will make sure viewers never miss a moment — of daytime, primetime and beyond!
This brand new app allows fans to stream full episodes in HD of such shows as “NCIS,” “The Good Wife,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Young and the Restless,” and “The Late Show with David Letterman,” among many others. According to CBS, daytime and late night programming will be available within 24 hours after initial airing, while most primetime programming will be available on the eighth day after broadcast. Part of the app includes a feature that notifies users whenever episodes of their favorite shows have been added to the app. And best of all (sure to be a soap fan favorite): There are Live Social Feeds for each show where viewers can chat, discuss and rave along with each episode! Fans can access and download the CBS app via the iTune Store now.
In Related News…
CBS also announced it would introduce similar full-episode streaming apps for all major mobile and tablet platforms later this year, including Android and Windows 8.
“We have been methodically and strategically finding new ways to satiate the appetite for our content on new platforms, while tapping into the tremendous revenue provided by doing so,” said Leslie Moonves, President and CEO, CBS Corporation, in a statement. “Our announcement today achieves both of these objectives, while protecting our very healthy current ecosystem. In addition, by making our shows available on all the leading mobile devices out there, we are confident we will bring a whole new set of viewers to the CBS Television Network and build upon our standing as the #1 network in the business.”
“Our online viewers not only want to watch their favorite shows on multiple devices, they want deeper engagement with the programs they love,” said Jim Lanzone, President of CBS Interactive. “The new CBS App gives them the best of both worlds, letting people watch CBS shows on the best screen available for them, with a host of extra features that give them a richer viewing experience whenever and wherever they tune in.”
According to CBS, the new Apps will “integrate the existing CBS Connect App experience by the start of the fall TV season. At that time, the CBS App will offer integrated social feeds, live events that allow fans to engage directly with talent, and second-screen experiences synched to the broadcast with additional content for select shows like ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,’ ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Hawaii-Five-O’ and ‘NCIS: Los Angeles.'”