In February, internet TV startup Joost teamed up with CBS parent company Viacom Incorporated to offer video from the entertainment giant that includes content from MTV Networks, BET Networks and Paramount Pictures. Now, CBS has announced plans to offer its content through Joost as well, when the service launches (expected later this year). Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Programs that would be available through the partnership include the forensics crime drama CSI, the Late Show with David Letterman, reality series Survivor and CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, as well as sports offerings. The move would make CBS the first major U.S. broadcast network to offer television shows through the broadcast-quality, on-demand, streaming video service which uses P2P technology.
Joost was created by the Skype voice-over-internet protocol service founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis. Joost uses what it calls a "secure, efficient, piracy-proof internet platform" to protect copyrighted content. The Joost deal was part of a broader set of partnerships with AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, social networking firm Bebo, internet video company Brightcove, online content aggregator Netvibes, cross-platform digital media device maker Sling Media and peer-to-peer internet video service Veoh.