The Guardian
trending topics
Close Box

Our news

Yes, it’s true: We are joining GigaOM...


TV.com Beats Hulu To The Punch With iPhone App, International Access

  • Comments Comments (View)
  • Text Size: A A

imageBuilding on the momentum from its relaunch of TV.com last month, CBS Interactive has rolled out a TV.com iPhone app, and opened up some of the site’s video clips to international viewers. The developments give TV.com two distinct advantages over rival Hulu—as Hulu currently has no dedicated mobile offering, and its content is accessible in the U.S. only.

SEE ALSO: Updated: Hulu’s Content No Longer Available On CBS-Owned TV.com; What About Other Partners?

It could add more stress to the already strained relationship between the two: last week, the companies traded barbs over Hulu’s decision to pull all of its content from TV.com because of a clash over online programming and distribution rights (in-depth details on that soap opera here).

Get your TV.com on the go: The free app lets users watch clips of everything from CSI, to The L Word, to vintage Star Trek; it also takes advantage of the iPhone’s motion-sensor, as users can shake the phone to get a random clip to show up. iPhone owners have always had access to all kinds of video, both from YouTube and third-party apps like Joost (which already offered some CBS content), but the TV.com app greatly increases the volume of full-length, premium content available. If it catches on, the pressure will be on networks like Fox, ABC, and, of course, NBC, to launch their own dedicated mobile-video offerings. And, as the NYT notes, the TV networks won’t be the only players under pressure: once iPhone users start streaming long-form video en masse, it will increase the strain on AT&T’s data network—which could mean higher data subscription plan costs.

Short-form content outside the U.S. for now: Currently, international viewers can only access snippets of CBS (NYSE: CBS) News programming, and older shows like Beverly Hills 90210 and MacGuyver; Anthony Soohoo, SVP of CBSI’s entertainment and lifestyle division, told Contentinople that the company was working on securing the international rights for more long-form content.

Feb 27, 2009 11:00 AM ET

Posted In: Mobile, Technologies / Formats, Broadband, Companies, Apple, AT&T, CBS, CBS Interactive, Hulu, NBC Universal, tv.com

(Page 1 of 1)


The Bestsellers

From iTunes and YouTube to Facebook and Kindle, the most popular content on the web, free and paid.

Android Apps (Free) Android Apps (Free)
1. Facebook for Android
2. Pandora® internet radio
3. Angry Birds
4. Words With Friends Free
5. Voxer Walkie-Talkie PTT
See The Other Bestsellers »

Jobs RSS Job Listings

Social Standing

Which media brands are getting a lift from Tweeters and bloggers right now -- and which are getting panned?

"Sentiment" Scores for All the Companies »

Sponsors

Staff