Monday, April 16, 2018

Why Isn't PBS Included in the Cable Alternatives?


By Jefferson Graham

LOS ANGELES — A big question for many cord cutters — why isn't PBS included in the new crop of cable alternative services?

Offerings from YouTube, DirecTV and Dish often offer fewer channels and cost one-third or more of traditional cable bills. With top channels like the broadcast TV networks, CNN, AMC and ESPN, they make an attractive offer for those looking for a respite from  huge cable TV bills. 

CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and the CW are featured on most of the alternatives, but PBS, the other longtime traditional broadcast TV channel, is not.

“It’s a high priority for us,” says Ira Rubenstein, the chief digital officer for PBS. “We hope to be there sooner rather than later.”

The reasons for PBS's absence are complicated, but it comes down to this: Unlike CBS and the other broadcast networks, PBS hasn't acquired the on-demand streaming rights for all of its shows. Rubenstein says he's working on finalizing those deals. 

Click here for the full article. 

Source: USA Today (via Empire Report New York)

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