CBS ALL ACCESS

I only see CBS Sports at the moment when searching for CBS.

 

Yup, there is an app for CBS All Access and a separate app for CBS News.

 

I stand corrected. Must be a regional thing. They don't appear for me here in Canada.

 

Yes, indeed, there is a CBS...and a CBS NEWS

 

I tried the trial. It's awful (for me). Bad audio quality and weak stream with pixelation

 

I have all the major network apps downloaded and the CBS app which is the only one I didn't activate. I don't understand what they're doing. All the other network apps were free based on signing in and confirm my provider.
But the CBS app states it's 4 or $5/ month through iTunes. Am I missing something??

 

When you figure it out please let me know too. I d/l'd the app, discovered the charge and then deleted it.

 

Same for me. Maybe if the majority are not using it they'll wise up!!

 

Doubtful. Greed >>> Logic.

 

The CBS All Access app is going in the right direction, the others who require a cable provider are clinging to the past. What needs to happen is that all the major channels allow you to pay if you don't have a cable provider. That way you can cancel your cable and just subscribe to the channels you like.

 

I totally disagree. I already pay for those channels via my satellite subscription. I should not be forced to pay again. I will not support that form of corporate greed. I'd sooner do without their offerings. #VoteWithYourWallet

 

Agree. But they should have multiple options. Like HBO Now vs. HBO Go. Including a no commercial option like Hulu.

 

I have CBS ALL ACCESS and it is fantastic for me. It is one of my most used apps as I find it better than a dvr

 

That's just it, you are not paying for those channels already--not in the case of CBS at any rate. Most of the traditional content provider streaming services provide the same content as they do on cable or broadcast either live or on demand. CBS All Access is going in a different direction. It is developing programming that will be available only on CBS All Access. The most notable of this streaming-exclusive programming announced so far is a new Star Trek series. I do not currently subscribe to CBS All Access. When the new Star Trek series becomes available, then I will be all in.

 

This! They should at least give the option for those who have a cable/satellite provider. And those who do not.

 

I agree. I'm not paying a 2nd time for a channel I already pay for via my cable subscription, just to get a few shows that are only offered via streaming. I would rather buy the shows on iTunes before doing that.

 

Do you pay for set top boxes? I just turned in 4 and will be saving about $67 per month. Well -6 for CBS All Access. I understand not everyone can save money by reducing hardware. I also have Hulu with no commercials which cost $!2 per month.

 

No I use a cable card in a Tivo.

 

The networks are really pretty whacked... agree that HBO has the right idea of offering options. We were watching Zoo on Netflix and got to the current season and wanted to watch the three shows in season 2 to catch up with live. Tried the CBS app and found that it requires a subscription. This was very surprising since the other networks are free if you are a cable subscriber. We are doing the one week trial to catch up and will then cancel. I'm not paying for cable AND paying each network on top of it for essentially the same content. Already setup recording on our Tivo for future episodes.

The real crux of my dissatisfaction of this is that I'm paying a subscription and still have to watch commercials. Its not even having to watch the commercials as much as the time it takes to get through an episode being about 20% longer because of the commercials. If I use my Tivo, I can chose to watch them or skip them. If I pay CBS for this app subscription, I am forced to see the commercials... bad business model from a consumer standpoint.

 

I can see the perspective of the folks who still subscribe to cable/satellite who don't want to pay the subscription fee for CBS All Access. CBS should have an option to sign in with your provider credentials.

However, as a cord cutter, I very much appreciate what CBS offers and I think the app can be a model for other networks to emulate. For just $6 a month you get a huge library of shows to watch as well as access to local, live TV in selected markets.

I do agree that if I'm paying for the service I shouldn't have to watch commercials in back catalog shows. It's very annoying. I can tolerate commercials in the current seasons episodes, but if I'm watching an episode of NCIS from season 3 I shouldn't have to watch commercials.

 

First off, I will NOT pay an extra $6/month for something that I am already paying for.

Next, at $6/channel, how many channels can you purchase/subscribe to before you're back to the monthly cable/satellite service pricing? Except that now, you are paying $50-$100/month, with less channels available. I do think that the cable/satellite pricing is out of control, but I get the "bundle" option - how else would you be able to get that one show on the obscure cable channel to which you are addicted? It just make no sense.

And yeah, paying to watch commercials is an obscene money grab, IMO.

 

No problem. Don't subscribe, then.

I would only subscribe to the ones I want. Simple. You are correct, though, that the a-la-carte idea can start to get quite expensive and could get more expensive than cable/satellite which is what I want to avoid. I hope there are eventually more options like Sling TV that offer smaller bundles or even a service that allows me to pick my own bundle of cable/satellite channels for a reasonable price per month. I can get all the old-style networks OTA.

I'm not saying CBS All Access is right for everyone. Obviously it's not. But I can see the benefits in the business plan and I can appreciate what I think CBS is trying to do. In my opinion it's something the other old-style networks ought to look at. NBC, in particular, is really missing the boat with their streaming app. They offer almost no VOD so it's not worth it for me to even log in if i had a cable/satellite subscription.

 

There's already PlayStation Vue, while they have not launched an Apple TV app yet the login works for every Apple TV app. Comcast its trialling a service, Hulu is planning to launch a cable service, and at&t/Directv are also planning a service.