CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) announced today a multi-platform syndication model for its top-rated drama BLUE BLOODS, licensing off-network episodes of the series to distribution partners in broadcast, cable and subscription video on demand (SVOD).
For subscription video on demand (SVOD),
CBS has signed a non-exclusive content licensing agreement with
Hulu Plus, which will offer its subscribers the first four seasons of BLUE BLOODS, beginning later this year.
CBS also announced a new licensing agreement with
WGN America, which will present off-network episodes of
Blue Bloods exclusively on basic cable, also starting later this year.
As previously announced,
ION Broadcasting has acquired the exclusive weekday,
Primetime syndication rights and will broadcast previous seasons of
Blue Bloods on its stations in Fall 2014.
"BLUE BLOODS has been a tower of ratings strength and success on
CBS for four seasons," said Scott Koondel, Chief Corporate Content Licensing Officer for
CBS Corporation. "We're excited to match this hit series with first class distribution partners in a way that serves their unique audiences while achieving full syndication value for an important
CBS programming asset."
"BLUE BLOODS is a fantastic addition to our growing library of top
CBS programming," said Mike Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer for Hulu. "The show's engaging characters and emotional drama make it a perfect fit for on-demand viewing, and subscribers can catch up on all four seasons of this serialized procedural whenever they want on
Hulu Plus."
"We've built a solid partnership with
CBS over the past several years and look forward to expanding this relationship with BLUE BLOODS," said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO of
ION Media Networks. "The quality, brand equity and consumer following of
CBS dramas are a valuable element in our strategy of serving our loyal and growing audiences with high quality procedural dramas."
Now in its fourth season on CBS,
Blue Bloods is averaging 14 million viewers, up +7% from last year. Its most recent episode delivered its largest audience since the series premiere in 2010.
Blue Bloods is one of the top 10 scripted series in viewers on broadcast television and has been Friday's most watched program for four consecutive seasons.
BLUE BLOODS is a drama about a multi-generational family of
Cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) is the New York Police Commissioner and heads both the police force and the Reagan brood. He runs his department as diplomatically as he runs his family, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry (Len Cariou), during his stint as chief. A source of pride and concern for Frank is his eldest son, Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), a seasoned detective, family man and Iraq War vet who on occasion uses dubious tactics to solve cases with his partner, Detective Maria Baez (Marisa Ramirez). The Reagan women in the family include Erin (Bridget Moynahan), a N.Y. Assistant D.A. who also serves as the legal compass for her siblings and father, as well as a single parent to her teenage daughter Nicky (Sami Gayle); and Linda (Amy Carlson), Danny's supportive wife. Jamie (Will Estes) is the youngest Reagan, a Harvard Law graduate and the family's "golden boy." Unable to deny the family tradition, Jamie decided to give up a lucrative future in law and follow in the family footsteps as a cop.
BLUE BLOODS was created by Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green and is executive produced by Leonard Goldberg and Kevin Wade. It is produced by
CBS Television Studios.
About
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) is a mass media company that creates and distributes industry-leading content across a variety of platforms to audiences around the world. The Company has businesses with origins that date back to the dawn of the broadcasting age as well as new ventures that operate on the leading edge of media.
CBS owns the most-watched television network in the U.S. and one of the world's largest libraries of entertainment content, making its brand - "the Eye" - one of the most recognized in business. The Company's operations span virtually every field of media and entertainment, including cable, publishing, radio, local TV, film, outdoor advertising, and interactive and socially responsible media. CBS's businesses include
CBS Television Network,
The CW (a joint venture between
CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment),
Showtime Networks,
CBS Sports Network,
TVGN (a joint venture between
CBS Corporation and Lionsgate), Smithsonian Networks, Simon & Schuster,
CBS Television Stations,
CBS Radio,
CBS Outdoor,
CBS Television Studios,
CBS Global Distribution Group (CBS Studios International and
CBS Television Distribution),
CBS Interactive,
CBS Consumer Products,
CBS Home Entertainment,
CBS Films and
CBS EcoMedia. For more information, go to www.cbscorporation.com
