After stocking up on premium networks with
HBO and
Starz, Comcast's
On Demand Online project has added its first broadcast TV partner,
CBS. One of the worries regarding TV Everywhere / On Demand Online has been what it would mean for free streaming portals like
Hulu, with broadcasters potentially shifting content behind pay-tv walls to keep people from dropping cable and satellite TV subscriptions. CBS has been the notable Hulu holdout, although it has also pushed forward with free streaming on its website, including
March Madness and even upping the resolution of its Flash video
to 1080p. Further conflicting the issue? 17 more cable networks (A&E, AMC, BBC America, DIY Network, Fine Living Network, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, History, IFC, MGM Impact, Sundance Channel, WE tv, E!, The Style Network, G4 and FEARnet) have also announced plans to join the 5,000 subscriber trial.
Just like the previous agreements, it appears customers should expect access during the trial to reflect a lot of what CBS and the others already offer through standard VOD
but now with more placeshifting goodness. While media execs watch the bottom line, we're just hoping the stated CBS strategy of "open, non-exclusive distribution of our content in a consumer friendly way" (from the press release, available in full after the break) could push Hulu to add more HD, or at least
unblock the PlayStation 3 & Windows Mobile.
posted Jul 14th 2009 at 2:11PM 
