• by Wayne Friedman , October 26, 2011

Fox recently decided to restrict its customers in seeing digital versions of its TV shows through most of its TV distribution partners.  Except for some -- including Dish Network, who can view Fox shows the next day after its traditional TV airing -- most of its consumers will need to wait eight days.

This is the start of "authentication" arrangements -- TV Everywhere initiatives -- that most major media companies want, all to make sure their distribution partners, cable, satellite and telco companies, don't get hurt.

But Marc Debevoise, senior vp and general manager of entertainment for CBS Interactive says what Fox is doing isn't what CBS would do:  "We don't think doing this with a just a couple of partners is enough. Our view is that we would be in jeopardy for do that [this way]. It essentially put programming behind a pay wall."

Debevoise says what's in jeopardy is the advertising CBS sell for its programs on digital platforms.