CSTV, a division of CBS Corp. (CBS), has announced that it has launched a new service offering over 100 new broadband channels dedicated to live college sports. According to officials, this is only the beginning as they foresee numerous other colleges joining to offer their sports programs as a channel of its own.
"Exclusive Internet content has become a vital element as we segue from a mass media to a personalized media world," said Brian Bedol, President and CEO, CSTV Networks, Inc. "Oftentimes the only way passionate communities of college sports fans can stay connected and catch every play of every game is through original broadband content. We realize the best way to deliver this content is by establishing the most extensive network of broadband channels and CSTV has made it possible for every university to have its own broadband channel. We are going to broadcast 10,000 live events online during the coming year and felt it was important to make the experience the best it can be for our business partners as well as our shared consumers."
CSTV says that they have plans to Webcast over 10,000 live events across all the channels.
Online Media Daily reported that included with the channels will be "archived clips, live press conference feeds, news and features, and e-commerce features. Access to the new broadband site, dubbed CSTV XXL, will cost subscribers either about $15 a month or $100 annually."
The CSTV site itself said concerning individual channels that the cost will range from "$5 to $10 a month."
Along with the subscription model, the site also has sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Pontiac, State Farm and Sonic.
To me this is a great move for CBS. They are aggregating a place where likeminded fans will want to hang out get as much content as anyone would ever want about their favorite teams. The only thing I didn't hear them say was whether they would include interactive aspects to the sites where fans could communicate and add their thoughts and make more of a community that includes all the content. Other than that, this should be a great performer for CBS. This is where the future of media is headed.
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