by Playfuls Staff |
12th April 2007
Joost and CBS announced that programming from
America's most
watched network will be available on the Joost platform when the service
launches in spring 2007. Content to be made available is coming from [more]
across the CBS divisions and includes new and previously-aired,
full episodes from popular, current CBS programs, including the full CSI
franchise: CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, CSI: NY and CSI: MIAMI, NCIS,
NUMB3RS, SURVIVOR and brands including SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING,
CSTV, CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC and CBS SPORTSLINE. The financial terms
of the deal were not disclosed.
In February, Joost has reached agreements to download
programs from Viacom networks such as MTV, Comedy Central and VH1. While the
deal's terms were not disclosed, Viacom and Joost will share advertising
revenue.
CBS partnered with Joost early on as a key launch partner
and is the first broadcast network to join Joost's growing list of acclaimed
content providers.
"Joost combines best-in-class technology with superb
video quality and a management team with a proven track record," said
Quincy Smith, President, CBS Interactive. "Partnering with Joost for the
CBS Interactive Audience Network showcases our content and community on a
service that allows for unique advertising opportunities and a delivery
framework that maximizes cost efficiency."
Founded by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, Joost is
powered by a secure, efficient, piracy-proof Internet platform that enables
premium interactive video experiences while guaranteeing copyright protection
for content owners and creators.
Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, executive vice president, content
strategy and acquisition for Joost, said, "We are excited about partnering
with CBS, as the premiere provider of top-notch content for television
audiences. CBS came to Joost early on as the Joost platform is perfectly suited
to high quality distribution of CBS' franchise properties to online
communities. Through this partnership, CBS will make its highly rated
television properties available for new and existing audiences by making its
content accessible in a community-driven, interactive environment that
complements existing distribution models."
Joost viewers will be able to enjoy CBS channels and content
within the US,
anywhere they connect to the Internet via a broadband connection, while select
clips and full-length sports programming will be available worldwide. Through
Joost, viewers can watch their favorite CBS series through a customizable
platform with advanced television viewing features, such as links that lead to
more information or related websites based on the content and a variety of
plug-in applications, such as instant messaging, message boards, and news tickers.
Janus Friis, founder of Joost added, "Being able to
offer Joost viewers award-winning CBS content is extremely exciting for Joost
both because it's a testament to the value we offer our content partners and
because it ensures that our viewers are going to have a trusted source to view
their new favorites as well as classics."
Currently available in an expanded beta, Joost combines the
best of TV and the best of the Internet by offering viewers a unique, TV-like experience
enhanced with the choice, control and flexibility of Web 2.0.
Joost is the first online, global TV distribution platform,
bringing together advertisers, content owners and viewers in an interactive, community-driven
environment. Joost can be accessed with a broadband Internet connection and
offers broadcast-quality content to viewers for free.
