CBS News’ Plan to Expand ’48 Hours’: A Free Streaming Channel

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As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for true crime narratives and a knack for marathon streaming sessions, I can’t help but feel excited about the new 48 Hours streaming channel. With my endless hours spent on digital platforms, binge-watching shows like Stranger Things or The Witcher, it’s refreshing to see a well-established brand like 48 Hours making its way into the streaming world.

There are only 24 hours in a day, but CBS News wants to fill that time with 48 Hours.

Starting today, a specialized news channel devoted to true crime stories is being launched as an extension of our established broadcast news brand, offering it freely through streaming.

The no-cost, ad-funded streaming platform is going to be named “48 Hours,” featuring over 500 episodes of the recently created news magazine thus far. Fresh episodes will become available for viewing following their initial broadcast on CBS.

I’m excited to share that the 48 Hours network is making its debut first on CBS News digital platforms, Paramount+, and Pluto TV. More platforms will be joining soon! As a gamer, I can’t wait to explore this new gaming universe!

48 Hours is undoubtedly one of the top brands that excels at working across various mediums and platforms. According to Sahand Sepehrnia, executive VP of digital content strategy and business for CBS News and stations, entertainment and sports, we can find 48 Hours episodes on Paramount+, it performs exceptionally well on Pluto, is popular in the digital realm, and thrives on YouTube. Furthermore, this show is particularly successful on FAST platforms, allowing viewers to watch any episode without worrying about when they start or finish since each episode can be understood independently, which is quite a feat in the entertainment industry.

The FAST expansion represents a tactical decision by CBS News under the guidance of its head, Wendy McMahon, aimed at expanding viewership through the power of digital platforms, all the while preserving the traditional strength of broadcasting.

For decades, it seemed like 48 Hours was often overshadowed due to its viewing limitations, jokes my team and I. We’ve been airing on Saturday nights for a long time – the quietest night of the week with the least number of viewers. Often overlooked in the true crime genre because of where and how it could be watched, this expansion has felt like a breath of fresh air to us who knew we were producing top-quality episodes. Now that we’re available on every platform, it’s catching like wildfire!

For the FAST channel, the intention is to create a tailored playlist focusing on particular topics (like “Love Mishaps” or “Unsolved Mysteries”), with the most captivating episodes scheduled to air during prime time.

“Sepehrnia explains that our most engaged viewers tend to tune in during the night. Consequently, we schedule our top content for those hours. We analyze viewership patterns and audience movement, which means FAST’s programming strategy shares some similarities with traditional linear TV. We consider the transitions between programs (lead outs and lead ins) and monitor changes in audience flow.”

48 Hours now streams alongside CBS News 24/7, CBS Sports HQ, and local CBS stations, marking a unique position as the initial streaming network centered around a single program within the company’s collection.

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2024-08-14 22:26