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CBS All Access comes to Roku, including live broadcasts in 14 markets

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The CBS All Access standalone subscription streaming service is now officially available through Roku players, allowing users to watch 6,500 TV episodes on-demand, new episodes via the CBS app the day after they air on network television, and, in 14 markets, live streaming TV.

Try one week on CBS All Access for free

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The 14 markets that will be able to watch CBS live from streaming devices or computers include Baltimore, MD (WJZ), Boston, MA (Manchester, NH) (WBZ), Chicago, IL (WBBM), Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX (KTVT), Denver, CO (KCNC), Detroit, MI (WWJ), Los Angeles, CA (KCBS), Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL (WFOR), Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (WCCO), New York, NY (WCBS), Philadelphia, PA (KYW), Pittsburgh, PA (KDKA), Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, CA (KOVR) and San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA (KPIX). The streams will include live local news and sporting events – two types of content that have kept some cord keepers from becoming cord cutters.

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However, it’s not all gravy in sports land. CBS says the live broadcasts will include only “some” sporting events, but the network has confirmed live streaming of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. However, this week’s presentation of The Masters will not be available. We reached out to CBS for info on the popular major tournament, and got this response:

Unfortunately, due to contractual agreements, The Masters (Augusta National Golf Club) will not be made available as video on demand post broadcast nor on the Live TV feature for CBS All Access.

Related: HBO Now is live on Apple devices

As for the 6,500 episodes available on demand, choices include 15 current primetime hits plus past seasons of shows like The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, and CSI: Miami. The service will also offer classic content from the CBS vault, from MacGyver to Star Trek, and ‘90s kids will love being able to revisit Beverly Hills 90210 (yes, the original series), and those from the ‘70s will enjoy sitcoms like The Brady Bunch. Users will also be able to tap into reality TV shows like Big Brother and The Amazing Race, and timely (pun intended) news programs like 48 Hours and 60 Minutes.

While CBS All Access makes it possible to view content on a mobile device, the addition of the Roku player for easy viewing on the big screen makes the service a lot more enticing. All Access available to try for free for one week, after which it’s a pretty affordable at $6/mo. While many users can pull up CBS for free from an HD antenna, those unable to get a signal may want to consider the streaming alternative — especially considering all that VOD content.

CBS is just one of many networks now adding pay-per-month standalone subscriptions that don’t require an all-in subscription to a traditional linear TV service. It’s a strategy that is sure to continue as consumers opt for a la carte versus all-you-can-eat.

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Christine Persaud
Christine Persaud
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Christine has decades of experience in trade and consumer journalism. While she started her career writing exclusively about…
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