CBS Announces Interactive Audience Network

CBS Corporation has announced the creation of the CBS Interactive Audience Network which will initially include new content deals with online distributors including AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Brightcove, Netvibes, Sling Media and Veoh. All content will be available domestically with select clips and full-length sports programming distributed worldwide.

The company announced that all content will be advertiser supported and free to the consumer. CBS will begin selling the CBS Interactive Audience Network in the coming weeks, including the upcoming Upfront marketplace. Advertising revenue will be shared between CBS and its partners.

Quincy Smith, President, CBS Interactive said "CBS's ability to partner with leading next-generation interactive platforms is the best way for CBS to evolve from a content company to an audience company. It's really all about the user and in building the CBS Interactive Audience Network, we are bringing our content to each unique platform of their choice. In remaining open to all online distributors and community builders - big and small - we can learn more about our existing audience, be exposed to new ones, and flexibly cater to their changing consumption habits."

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A rotating list within a specified viewing timeframe of programming from entertainment, news and sports will be offered including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Late Show With David Letterman, Survivor, Showtime Championship Boxing, CSTV Game Of The Week, CBS Evening News With Katie Couric, including classic programming from the vast library of CBS Television Distribution.

CBS also announced that Akamai Technologies Inc. will serve as the content delivery network to power the CBS Interactive Audience Network.