CBS All Access, the network’s over-the-top streaming service for cord cutters, will invest in more original programming, as competition in the market heats up thanks to upcoming entries from Viacom and Disney on the horizon. According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS All Access is now promising six or seven new original programs will be on its service in the next 12 months.
The announcement was made by CBS COO Joseph Ianniello at the Deutsche Bank Media & Telecom Conference on Tuesday, which had the exec stating CBS was “doubling down” on its investments in originals. He didn’t specify how much the network was spending, however.
Still, it’s a small drop in the bucket compared with the $8 billion rival Netflix is planning to spend on content in 2018, around 25 percent of which currently goes to funding originals. The company said it plans to have around 700 original TV shows on the service worldwide this year. Also of note, Netflix is the home to CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Discovery” in markets outside the U.S., meaning it’s benefitting for now from CBS’ investments in original content.
That may be a temporary situation, though, as CBS is eyeing international expansion plans of its own. Ianniello said that Canada and Australia would be the first test markets for expansion of CBS All Access outside the U.S., THR reported.
“Wherever Netflix is, I don’t see why we won’t be there,” Ianniello said, referring to CBS All Access’ international ambitions.
CBS’s new “Star Trek” as well as live events, like the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, have helped to drive sign-ups for CBS All Access, which now has over 2 million subscribers, the company has previously said.
The network has also announced plans for several of its planned originals, including a reboot of “The Twilight Zone” from “Get Out” director, Jordan Peele – who recently brought home an Oscar for best original screenplay.
Other upcoming CBS originals include “Scream” writer and producer Kevin Williamson’s twisted fairytale series “Tell Me a Story;” drama series “Strange Angel;” and Season 2 of the Will Farrell and Adam McKay comedy “No Activity.”
Details on what the next originals CBS All Access will add beyond this, haven’t yet been announced.
