Table Of Content
cbs.com
Traditional broadcast channels are sequestering their content in order to start their dedicated streaming network, CBS All Access. This is undoubtedly an attempt to compete with digital content aggregators such as Hulu and Netflix.
The main reason CBS can be considered a rival of Hulu and Netflix is because their own original programming has helped the network succeed in streaming. Titles such as "Stark Trek: Discovery?", "The Good Fight?", and "The Twilight Zone?" have made CBS a popular streaming option.
I don't believe that individual networks with less aggregation are really competitors. However, I do believe that CBS with its All Access subscription model is able to provide a vast backlog of CBS shows and is the only platform where you can watch its premium content i.e. Originals. Additionally, it's following a similar model to ESPN+, which many people find palatable due to the low monthly subscription cost.
History
CBS All Access is an American OTT Subscription Streaming VOD service provided by CBS Interactive. It offers newly aired content on CBS Network and a backlog of CBS shows, making its vast content library available. In 2019, CBS streamed the Grammy Awards and Star Trek: Discovery.
Last year, CBS expanded its All Access service to international markets with Canada being the first international market. Just a few months later, CBS also launched All Access in the Australian market.
Star Trek: Discovery - A game-changer
When Star Trek: Discovery debuted on CBS All Access, the network set a new record for the greatest number of single-day, weekly, or monthly sign-ups. This record was earlier held by the 2017 Grammy award ceremony. banking on the Star Trek fanbase, CBS was able to harness All Access' maximum potential.
Design
The recent updates to the CBS All Access design are much improved. The app features a sleek black and white look with a simple navigation menu featuring Shows, Full Episodes, and Live TV options. Apart from that, you can find Schedule, CBS Sports, Movies, and CBS News under a menu which is represented by horizontal ellipsis alongside a search bar and profile icon if you want to access your profile.
The website's homepage is attractive and minimalistic, with an HD banner and a sign-up box that makes the user journey smooth. As you scroll down, you'll find various vertical banners for Trending Now, All Access Originals, Comedies, Classic, Kids, News, Late Night, Drama, Daytime and Reality TV. Through All Access, you can also access Movies, Shop, TV Provider (CBS), CBS News and CBS Sports in a drop-down menu.
The website's inside pages are clean and dynamic. If you hover over the vertical banners, they'll interact with your mouse pointer and upon clicking it, you'll be taken to a dedicated page for that particular show. A trailer video plays on the main banner with a Blue ?Watch Now? CTA button. If you scroll further, you'll get video library which syncs perfectly followed by the synopsis and cast member.
I really enjoy the simplicity of this website. The developers have maintained the flow throughout the website and it doesn't feel overdone or absurd on any page. It gives you the Netflix vibes with a constant dark background present in the entire website.
Content
The content offered by All Access is limited, but it offers great quality. For example, dramas such as "NCIS," "Elementary," and "Blue Bloods" are very popular and are available on the network. If you like news, you can stay updated with "CBS Evening News," Face the nation, and 60 Minutes. If you're into comedy, you have "Man with a Plan," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Young Sheldon." You can also access classic shows such as "The Twilight Zone," "Star Trek Series," "Hawaii 5-0," and "Late Night TV Shows" featuring James Corden and Stephen Colbert.
CBS All Access Originals make it worth it
Though these offerings are good, it's the new and original content that sets CBS All Access apart. ?Strange Angel Tell Me a Story?, ?No Activity?, ?Why Women Kill? and ?Star Trek Discovery? are just a few of the shows which will keep you glued to the network. There are more than 200+ content titles for you to choose from.
Lacks a comprehensive sports package
Although All-Access Sports does offer some in-demand sports content, it is not the complete sports package. You can watch any NFL game that air on CBS, along with select PGA Tour events, NCAA March Madness Tournament and SEC football, but if you are a big NFL fan I wouldn't recommend All Access to you.
Lack of movies and sufficient titles
I know that CBS All Access is nowhere near Amazon Prime Video or Netflix's catalog, but they seem to be working on improving the quantity. As of the movie section, there are only 30 titles, which puts it way back in the pecking order against the likes of HBO Now, Starz, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Showtime. Thus, if you enjoy watching movies, I wouldn't recommend CBS All Access to you.
Desktop/Mobile experience
The CBS All Access app lacks the features offered by its competitors, such as stream restarting and DVR capabilities. However, apart from that, the desktop and mobile experience is sleek with bright blue accents and there is a search bar and you can adjust the streaming quality or download the content (a standard offering in most of the streaming platforms). With that said, I'd admit that the app lags a little when you try to open each page, however, that doesn't affect the solid streaming experience.
The mobile app launches quickly and is easy to use. You can sign-in or sign-up for a new account. Similar to the website interface, you have a top navigation bar on mobile as well. An eye-catching element on the website is the shop section which is bundled between Shows, Live TV, Movies, Schedule, and Settings. You can use this to buy DVDs, Apparel and other gifts. I won't deny that the shop option does feel out of place on a streaming network.
You can download episodes of your favorite CBS shows for offline viewing through the CBS All Access Android or iOS app. This is a great way to save them for later, and you can keep them on up to five devices. Once you download them, the videos will be deleted within 48 hours from playback.
Streaming Quality
Despite not being as good as Netflix or Amazon Prime Videos, the streaming quality on CBS All Access is still decent. If you're watching the service without Wi-Fi, it'll often have a shaky performance with lower quality videos timing out. However, compared to other leading streaming sites, CBS All Access has more trouble maintaining quality.
Plans & Pricing
I like the simplicity of CBS All Access. Its basic plan starts at $5.99/month which comes with limited commercials. If you want a commercial-free experience, then you need to pay $9.99/month
Even if you pay the premium price, you will still see Live TV advertising. This is because promotional messaging is a part of Live TV regardless of the amount you pay. Additionally, the $5.99 plan does not allow offline downloads, while the $9.99 plan does.
Compared to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video?s entry-level plan, Hulu costs $5.99/per month, Starz costs $8.99/per month, and HBO Now costs $14.99/per month.
Suggestions I have for CBS All Access
I don't think $9.99/per month is a very expensive price for CBS All Access. If you can get Netflix for a dollar less than that and Hulu for just $4.99/month, I don't see why you'd want to subscribe to CBS All Access. The only reason people have subscribed to All Access is because of its Star Trek content, news coverage, basic sports coverage, and Live TV. I would like CBS All Access to tie-up with different networks so they can justify the price tag of $5.99 or $9.99 which seems too much as of now.
Conclusion
CBS All Access is constantly improving, but movies and TV shows alone don't justify the price tag.
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