Digital Meld

It seems the huge success of Hulu.com (an NBC/FOX venture) has finally brought another broadcast company into play for online video revenue. CBS has re-launched a new version of TV.com to challenge Hulu’s mighty grip in the high-quality online broadcast video marketplace. CBS, which is currently “America’s Most Watched Network” started putting the domain they acquired when they purchased CNET last year to good use when it became a video portal six months ago. Now, in addition to Hulu videos CBS is adding original CBS series from past and present while also announcing deals with MGM, Sony, PBS, USA and the juggernaut Showtime.

Currently browsing TV.com is nowhere near as nice as Hulu as daytime soaps and The Price is Right seem to be the only main attraction but as CBS adds more shows from all of the networks above the site should morph into a true Hulu challenger. CBS revamped their CBS.com online videos about six months back and greatly improved the quality, even adding HD streams. They also included a social aspect called “Viewing Rooms” where you can chat with other watchers about the show as it’s playing… not something I’d be into but the social aspect is definitely “Web 2.0.” It seems CBS wants TV.com to become an online social portal as well as a streaming video destination.

In the end competition is always great in the marketplace. I look forward to both TV.com and Hulu fighting over viewers by offering a wider range of higher-quality videos and less add intrusion… and I’m thrilled CBS has landed Showtime, now if one of them could bribe HBO we’d be set.

From NewTeeVee.