As it works to sign deals with local CBS stations for its virtual pay TV service, AT&T is now providing all of the nearly 800,000 DirecTV Now users access to CBS’ prime-time lineup.
According to Cord Cutter News, the virtual platform is now offering CBS Network content on demand. This means that if you’re a DirecTV Now customer living in a market in which the local CBS affiliate hasn’t signed a broadcast retransmission licensing agreement with AT&T for the vMVPD, you can still see CBS network programming on demand.
Also to the chagrin of local affiliates who lose leverage in retrans talks when such deals are made, AT&T recently announced a similar arrangement with The CW, which is co-owned by CBS Corp. AT&T announced a deal with CBS Corp. in early August to carry CBS and CW in markets in which CBS owns and operates stations.
Meanwhile, AT&T continues to flesh out affiliate deals for other networks. Cord Cutter News also reported that 12 Hearst TV-owned NBC affiliates—including stations in Sacramento, Cincinnati, Orlando and Baltimore—will now be available on DirecTV Now.
DirecTV Now currently has around 200 network affiliates in its national lineup.