This line in a TVNewsday article about the deal between CBS and Time-Warner Cable got my attention.

In addition, selected CBS and Showtime programming will participate in Time Warner Cable’s enhanced video services including Start Over and Look Back, as well as extensive video on demand offerings, including prime time programming from CBS. (emphasis mine)

This is the first deal I’ve seen where a network’s prime time line-up will be available via cable on-demand, so the nets have found yet another way of by-passing the affiliates that put them in the big dog position in the first place.

Good for consumers. Not so good for affiliates.

The value proposition that comes with an FCC broadcast license is getting weaker by the day, it seems, and the handwriting on the wall doesn’t look very favorable either.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm and is filed under Broadcasting, Networks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.