(14 April 2007 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: US broadcaster CBS has created the CBS Interactive Audience Network which will initially include new content deals with a host of online distributors including AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Brightcove, Netvibes, Sling Media and Veoh.

The agreements, building on the company's existing arrangements,

All content will be advertiser supported and free to the consumer. CBS will begin selling the CBS Interactive Audience Network in the coming weeks, including the upcoming Upfront marketplace. Ad revenue will be shared between CBS and its partners. All content will be available in the US with select clips and full-length sports programming distributed worldwide.

A rotating list within a specified viewing timeframe of programming from entertainment, news and sports will be offered including CSI , Late Show With David Letterman, Survivor, among others, including classic programming from the vast library of CBS Television Distribution.

CBS has previously entered into existing and ongoing content distribution arrangements with Yahoo!, Apple iTunes, Microsoft's Xbox, Amazon UnBox and many others.

Mirroring the online strategy, CBS Mobile also employs direct agreements with each of the three largest US wireless carriers - AT&T/Cingular, Verizon Wireless and Sprint - as well as next generation platforms such as Qualcomm MediaFLO.

CBS content will be available on MSN Video. MSN Video consumers will be able to search for, browse and play content from CBS as well as other MSN Video content partners in the MSN Video player, a seamless and easy-to-use experience. MSN Video streams hundreds of millions of videos every month, to an MSN worldwide audience that is over 460 million unique users monthly.