Moonves: All Access Working on NFL Deal

CBS ALL Access, the over-the-top service from broadcaster CBS, is working on a deal that would allow it to stream National Football League games.

CBS All Access, which now has more than 1 million subscribers, was launched in 2014 and offers live streaming of CBS stations in 150 markets and on-demand library content for $5.99 per month. While the service has evolved since its launch -- including offering exclusive original content like Star Trek: Discovery and The Good Wife spin-off The Good Fight next year – the lack of NFL games has been a sore point.

In a conference call with analysts to discuss third quarter results, CBS chairman and CEO Les Moonves said the broadcaster was working with the league to stream the games and could have a deal shortly.

“We’re in fairly active discussions about putting it on All Access,” Moonves said. “The product is doing better. The NFL is still extremely important to us. We’re hoping that we’re able to reach an agreement with them to link it even better.”

Moonves was more tight-lipped when it came to questions about the ongoing evaluation of a possible merger between CBS and former corporate sister Viacom. Viacom appointed a special committee of independent directors to look into the combination, hiring advisors last month . But Moonves said there is no time frame yet for a deal to be done or not.

“We’re not even in the second inning yet,” he said of the evaluation.