Media/Entertainment
Yahoo!, CBS to Stream Video
Sandy Brown
12/27/05 - 01:36 PM EST
Yahoo!(YHOO Quote - Cramer on YHOO - Stock Picks) and Viacom's(VIA Quote - Cramer on VIA - Stock Picks) soon-to-be-split CBS are teaming to provide full episodes of the network's series Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother on free streaming video through the Internet service.
The viewing marks the first time Yahoo! has streamed a full episode of CBS TV product in its entirety on the Web. The presentations will be commercial-free and come at a time when the major TV networks are exploring more elaborate content partnerships with a variety of online and wireless companies.
The so-called CBS "Comedy Bowl" kicks off today and runs through Jan. 2, and will feature two encore presentations of episodes previously aired on TV this season.
No financial terms were disclosed.
"We're always looking for ways to provide current and potential new viewers every possible opportunity to sample our series," said Nancy Tellem, president, CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group, in a statement. "We want to be where the viewers are, and this exclusive partnership with Yahoo! gives us the chance to target an expanded online audience for Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother at a time of the year when many potential viewers are home on vacation and surfing the Internet."
"This deal marks a continuation of our on-going broadband initiatives at CBS, and we believe that working closely with Yahoo! will generate significant awareness for these two comedy series," said Larry Kramer, president, CBS Digital Media.
On Tuesday afternoon shares in Viacom were trading down 30 cents to $33.03.
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