CBS' upcoming streaming-video sports outlet will be "more newsy and less focused on commentary programs," according to Brian Steinberg of VARIETY. CBS Chair, President & CEO Les Moonves at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference in N.Y. on Thursday gave the first details of what the net "intends to build." He said, "I'm turning on ESPN a lot and seeing people shouting at each other. I want to see the scores. On our sports network you won't have to wait for news." Moonves indicated that the OTT outlet "would rely on advertising support initially, but suggested the company could also seek to package it in its 'CBS All Access' subscription-video service." He said that he "did not anticipate any issue with securing rights from various sports leagues for the new project." No date was given for the launch of the service. Steinberg noted the streaming outlet is the "latest of several new-media outposts CBS has built in recent years." Moonves said that he expected CBS "to ride out the current chaos of the media industry, despite eroding viewership." Moonves: "When ESPN announces that they are losing subs, or Comcast announces they are losing subs, that's a good thing for CBS. These cord-cutters, they are not disappearing. They don't cut their cords and go into the woods and avoid television" (VARIETY.com, 9/14). Moonves said that CBS has "developed its own technology in house" that will support the net's OTT services. He said, "We didn't go buy BAMTech for a zillion dollars" (THESTREET.com, 9/14).
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE: The NFL's current rights deals run through the '21 season, and Moonves said the league will retain a "network presence ... but there will be a digital partner in terms of this deal and every future deal that they do." He said of digital media companies, "They'll be a part of the conversation. I think broadcast will be a part of it, and I think you'll see combined offerings from now on." Moonves said he is not worried about broadcast networks becoming "extinct." He said, "The Super Bowl is always on the network. ... Nowhere else do you get 110 million people watching the Super Bowl. The networks will still be a big part of it" ("Squawk on the Street," CNBC, 9/14).
