CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) is launching a new service called CBS HD Gallery on CBS.com.  Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is the exclusive launch partner of the CBS HD Gallery.  The CBS HD Gallery will include full episodes of CSI, Survivor, How I Met Your Mother, The Amazing Race, Big Brother, and The Big Bang Theory.

“The HD Gallery represents another milestone for experiencing CBS programs online,” stated Anthony Soohoo, SVP and GM of CBS Interactive.  “We’re focused on providing the highest quality audio and video that technology allows, and we’re working with leaders across the industry, and clients like Intel, to make that objective a reality.” 

Through the deal, Intel has solid advertisement placement around the video gallery.  Check out the below screen shot:

“Everyone knows that the world of entertainment is quickly shifting to digital video, from the creation of original Webisodes and home videos, to streaming TV shows online and an increasing amount of high-definition programming,” stated Heather Dixon of consumer marketing at Intel. “We’re loading Intel-based laptops and PCs with a variety of HD and video technologies and blazing fast processors so consumers can enjoy a stunning online experience from innovative sites like CBS HD, on the go or in the home. In fact, the timing of the CBS HD player couldn’t be more perfectly aligned with our own introduction of Intel Centrino 2 mobile technology for notebook PCs that offers native HD support and the battery life to enjoy several CBS online shows with one charge.”

The financial details of the partnership is undisclosed.  While CBS.com has made their own platform for distributing video content, NBC and FOX is using Hulu.

 
CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) is partnering with dog social network, Dogster.com to push their upcoming show, Greatest American Dog.  The media company is premiering the new show on Thursday July 10th.  The Greatest American Dog will also be promoted at hot dog stands in New York, video displays in supermarkets, cable advertising, and dog walking teams in New York.

CBS placed ads on Dogster.com that states “you’re going to sit, roll over, and beg for more in the search to find the greatest American dog.”  Dogster is also hosting teaser trailers of the show and has created profiles for the contestants of the show.  The show will be promoted in Dogster’s Dog Blog and newsletter. 

“The in-store component of the GREATEST AMERICAN DOG campaign makes use of motion sensors and video screens in the pet food aisle of selected grocery stores in New York and Los Angeles,” stated CBS Corporation Communications.  “Shoppers who come within a few feet of the sensor hear a bark, and are invited to press a button that initiates a thirty-second video clip.”

The Greatest American Dog will be hosted by Jarod Miller and the show will have 12 contestants.  The winning contestant will get about $250,000 in cash.

Related Links:
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Dogster.com

 
Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) and CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) announced today that CBS’ Audience Network will now be powered by Yahoo! TV.  Yahoo! TV will have access to CBS’ online catalog of TV shows and other entertainment.

NBC and FOX have similar deals in place with Yahoo! TV.

“This announcement underscores the value of CBS’s open, non-exclusive, multi-partnership strategy for distributing our content online,” stated Anthony Soohoo, SVP and GM of Entertainment at CBS Interactive. “We are delighted to add Yahoo! to the Audience Network, not only because of their reach, but also because they offer a great user experience for CBS content. This is a win-win in that it bolsters the distribution of CBS content while giving Yahoo! users access to programming that has proven to be among the most popular professional content online.”

Other CBS Audience Network partners include Joost, MSN, AOL, YouTUbe, TV.com, Veoh, Comcast, Bebo, Blinkx, Brightcove, Joost, MeeVee, Metacafe, Netvibes, Revver, TVGuide, and Sling Media.

“As the #1 online TV site, Yahoo! TV is committed to offering our users the most comprehensive television experience on the Internet,” stated Karin Gilford, VP of Entertainment and Lifestyles at Yahoo!. “The partnership with CBS significantly expands our video offerings and provides our users with a consistent and best-in-class viewing experience. It’s all part of our strategy to become the starting point for the most consumers on the Web.”

Yahoo! TV will host and stream CBS content for free with ads built in.  Yahoo! TV is available at: http://primetime.tv.yahoo.com/.

Information Source:
[1] Press Release sent by CBS to Pulse 2.0

As the first premium content network to take an open approach to syndication, we are committed to providing our users with the best online viewing experience possible,” stated Anthony Soohoo, SVP and GM of Entertainment at CBS Interactive. “Our new video player platform takes advantage of the new social medium online by combining the most advanced video technology with our expertise in premium content programming to deliver new ways to discover and enjoy entertainment online.”

CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) officially announced yesterday that they are launching a new video player in HD-quality to enhance the user experience on their website.  The video player will be launching over the next few months.  The video will be able to go full-screen and users can embed the videos in their MySpace, Facebook, blogs, or other websites.

Users will also be able to watch CBS premium content in H.264 standard which is the same standard as Blue-Ray and HD-DVD.

The HD Video Player was developed by the CBS Labs division (http://labs.cbs.com).  CBS Labs also has a Social Viewing Room where users can chat about the same videos that they are watching. This makes CBS programming more interactive.

Another feature of CBS Labs is Build.last.fm.  CBS acquired Last.fm for $280 million in May 2007.  Last.fm is also being used to power CBS Radio.  CBS Interactive oversees Interactive properties: CBS.com, CBSSports.com, CBSNews.com, CBS Mobile, CBS EyeLab, Last.fm, Wallstrip, and MobLogic.tv.

Information Source:
[1] Press Release sent to P2 by CBS Corp. Communications.

“There are very few opportunities to acquire a profitable, growing, well-managed Internet company like CNET Networks,” stated CBS CEO, Leslie Moonves. “CBS stands for premium content and unparalleled reach, and CNET Networks will add a tremendous platform to extend our complementary entertainment, news, sports, music and information content to a whole new global audience. Together, CBS and CNET Networks will have significant additional exposure to the fastest- growing advertising sector and can accelerate our growth through a number of new content, promotion and advertising initiatives. We could not be more pleased with the prospect of adding CNET Networks and its tremendous team of people to the CBS family. I look forward to working with Quincy Smith, Neil Ashe and the considerable combined talent at both companies, as we build upon our success.”

CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) announced today that they have entered an agreement to acquired CNET Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNET).  Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS made the announcement.  CBS will pay $11.50 per share in cash for all issued and outstanding shares.  This amount represents $1.8 billion.  CBS has now become one of the top 10 most popular Internet companies.  CBS and CNET combined receives 54 million unique visitors per month and has 200 million users.

In 2007, CNET made $406 million in revenues through its various Internet properties.  CNET owns News.com, ZDNet, CNet.com, GameSpot.com, MP3.com, UrbanBaby, TV.com, TechRepublic, MySimon, BNET, Search.com, and CHOW.  The content on these sites will be integrated into CBS’ Internet properties: CBS.com, CBS Radio, Wallstrip, last.fm, MaxPreps.com, CBSCollegeSports.com, CBSSports.com, MobLogic, and CBS’ TV stations.

“The core businesses of CNET Networks and CBS Interactive represent near perfect category symmetry in premium online content,” said Quincy Smith, President, CBS Interactive. “Together we will have a terrific opportunity to not only grow our established businesses, but to build new attractive verticals of content as well. This is the beginning of an era for both CBS and CNET Networks; plus, it’s going to be great to work with Neil and his team, many of whom I have known for many years.”

This acquisition also ends CNET’s fight with Jana Partners, a hedge fund that wanted more control over the board.  CNET recently signed a joint advertisement partnership with Yahoo!  Yesterday, I also wrote about how CBS agreed to a partnership with the producers of KateModern and LonelyGirl15.  CBS is making very strategic Internet moves.  These are some solid partnerships and acquisitions.

Information Sources:
[1] News.com: CBS to buy CNET Networks by Margaret Kane
[2] CBS Corporation Press Release: CBS Corporation To Acquire CNET Networks, Inc.
[3] paidContent: BREAKING: CBS Acquiring CNET For $1.8 Billion; 44.6 Percent Premium by Joseph Weisenthal