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.