CBS Embraces Partnerships to Navigate its Interactive Future
Moonves Declares: "There's no such thing as old or new media anymore. There
is just media."
Speech States that CBS's Goal is to Evolve from a One-Way Content and
Distribution Company to an Interactive Audience Company Focused on Content
Communities
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Consumer Electronic Show
(CES) -- Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS
Corporation (NYSE: CBS and CBS.A), gave the keynote address at the 40th
Annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today, sharing
the stage with a wide range of stars from the interactive community.
Joining Moonves were talent from within the CBS Corporation, followed by
several partners and associates that CBS is working with in the digital
space.
"There's no such thing as old or new media anymore. We're just media,"
Moonves said. "Whether 'programming' means CSI or C++, we're all playing on
the same big digital field." In his remarks, Moonves emphasized CBS's
multi-faceted approach to embracing the digital opportunity. "In some
cases, we're developing our ideas entirely in house. And in other cases
we're forming partnerships to bring ideas to life," he said.
Moonves cited a recent CBS report that showed 53% of fans who watched a
TV show online turned around and watched the show on the network. "The more
the public becomes connected to digital media, the more engaged they become
with the content, and with each other." Introducing those from within the
CBS Corporation, Moonves said, "These individuals represent all kinds of
perspectives and expertise, and are some of CBS's most visionary
intrapraneurs."
Featured were:
* Anthony Zuiker, Creator of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, the world's
largest television franchise. Zuiker described the transformation of his
initial idea into the multi-platform global hit that it is today,
stressing how audience participation has added to the show's success.
* College Sports Television Founder and President Brian Bedol. Bedol
showcased CSTV's sports community platform FansOnly, which allows
friends to create their own viewing groups in a virtual Skybox.
* Radio personalities Gregg Hughes and Anthony Cumia, hosts of THE OPIE &
ANTHONY SHOW. Hughes and Cumia explained how online video is turning the
entire world into a virtual studio by inviting listeners to participate
in real-time and by allowing them to stay with the show even when it's
not on the airwaves.
* Ilene Chaikin and Jennifer Beals, creator and star of Showtime's THE L
WORD. Chaikin and Beals provided a demonstration of OurChart.com, a new
social networking web site for the lesbian community inspired by the
show.
Moonves then invited several companies that CBS is working with to
share the stage. Highlighting the pivotal role of collaboration in shaping
the future of content, Moonves said, "These companies are helping us extend
the digital and interactive reach of our world class assets, and to build
deeper connections with our audiences." Featured were:
* Linden Lab Founder and CEO, Philip Rosedale. Rosedale showcased the
online virtual world Second Life, where users can create and shape their
content experience each time they enter the space. Rosedale also showed
a machimina, produced by Electric Sheep, featuring two impassioned Star
Trek fans. Following Rosedale's remarks, Moonves announced that CBS will
be partnering with Electric Sheep to build a Star Trek environment
within Second Life.
* Sling Media Co-Founder and CEO Blake Krikorian. Krikorian introduced a
new application and service from Sling Media called Clip+Sling. Together
with CBS, Sling Media is beta testing a new technology designed to help
audiences share short segments of programming. See related release:
"Sling Media and CBS Announce Beta Test Of New Delivery System for
Video."
* Chad Hurley, Co-Founder and CEO of YouTube. Hurley talked about the
success of CBS Corporation content on YouTube, and highlighted a contest
that gives YouTube users a chance to have their 15-second personal
message broadcast during CBS Sports Coverage of Super Bowl XLI on
Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. "Seeing YouTube evolve into a centerpiece of
CBS's entertainment plans makes me incredibly proud," Hurley said. (See
related release: "User Generated Video Goes from Online to On-Air in New
CBS/YouTube Campaign.")
"Anything is possible," Moonves said. "Audiences know that, content
people know that, and innovators in the digital space know that. In the
weeks and months to come, we'll have a lot more news on how we'll be
working with the interactive community in ways both big and small," Moonves
concluded.
About CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) is a mass media company with
constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast
industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of
the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations,
combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which
provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves
audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets.
It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment,
including broadcast television (CBS and The CW -- a joint venture between
CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), cable television (Showtime
and CSTV Networks), local television (CBS Television Stations), television
production and syndication (CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS
Television Distribution Group), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on
out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), interactive
media (CBS Interactive), music (CBS Records) and consumer products (CBS
Consumer Products). For more information, log on to http://www.cbscorporation.com.
SOURCE CBS Corporation
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CONTACT:
Dana McClintock, +1-212-975-1077,
dlmcclintock@cbs.com, or Shannon Jacobs, +1-212-975-3161,
sljacobs@cbs.com, both for CBS Corporation
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