CBS said Thursday it will offer its content through internet TV startup Joost when the service launches, among other online partnerships.
The move would make CBS the first major U.S. broadcast network to offer television shows through the broadcast-quality, on-demand, streaming video service by Netherlands-based Baaima NV, which is expected to debut later this year.
Programs that would be available through the partnership include the forensics crime drama CSI, the Late Show with David Letterman, reality series Survivor and CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, as well as sports offerings.
In February, Joost teamed with CBS parent Viacom Inc. to offer video from the entertainment giant that includes content from MTV Networks, BET Networks and Paramount Pictures, such as reality series Laguna Beach, prank show Punk'd and a mix of recently released and classic feature films from Paramount.
"Today marks an important step in our strategy to distribute content broadly across the online interactive landscape on an open, non-exclusive basis," Leslie Moonves, CBS president and CEO said about Thursday's announcements, which included the creation of the new venture CBS Interactive Audience Network.
The Joost deal was part of a broader set of partnerships with AOL, Microsoft, online media company CNET Networks, Comcast, social networking firm Bebo, internet video company Brightcove, online content aggregator Netvibes, cross-platform digital media device maker Sling Media and peer-to-peer internet video service Veoh.
Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
The deals also extend to existing agreements with Amazon.com, Apple and Yahoo, CBS said.
Joost was created by the Skype voice-over-internet protocol service founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis. Joost uses what it calls a "secure, efficient, piracy-proof internet platform" to protect copyrighted content.
The service links what the company calls a "TV-like experience" with the flexibility of the internet by combining it with features such as instant messaging, message boards and news feeds.
Joost is currently in closed trials, which people can only gain access to through an invitation from the company or existing testers.
