CBS Announces Broadband 24-hour News Network

CBS Digital Media and CBS News today announced plans for a major expansion of CBSNews.com, creating a 24-hour, multi-platform digital news network, bypassing cable television in favor of the nation’s fastest-growing distribution system — broadband.

The joint announcement was made by Larry Kramer, President, CBS Digital Media, and Andrew Heyward, President, CBS News.

In so doing, CBS News will move from a primarily television and radio news-based operation to a 24-hour, on-demand news service, available across many platforms, drawing on the experienced, worldwide, award-winning resources of the Division.

The new CBSNews.com will include:
• an on-demand, 24-hour news network in the digital broadband space;
• a blog to be called “Public Eye” designed to provide greater openness and transparency into the newsgathering process;
• a newly-configured homepage including The EyeBox, an on-page video player showcasing the free broadband video of CBSNews.com including over 25,000 clips — and video yet to be broadcast on the network;
• a commitment by CBS News fully to integrate its personnel and other global newsgathering resources to provide exclusive, original reporting and commentary around the clock.

“This major expansion of CBSNews.com is designed to capture an audience that is increasingly looking for news and information at all times of the day, not just during scheduled periods, and using the Internet for that purpose,” said Kramer. “Every component of this re-launch — including greatly enhanced video streaming capabilities, more on-demand features and greater participation from the CBS News correspondents and producers who will also be reporting directly for the web — will dramatically improve the content, delivery and navigation of the website. I’m confident that with the unparalleled excellence that is CBS News and its people, CBSNews.com will become the premier news destination site in what has become a 24-hour information world.”