CBS to develop sports streaming service

US network CBS has outlined plans to launch an online sports streaming service.

CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves disclosed the plans as the broadcaster revealed its second quarter financial results yesterday (Monday).

Moonves said the streaming sports channel is in the early stages of development and is currently untitled.

US magazine Variety said CBS has been buoyed by the success of its CBSN digital news service and is seeking to replicate this model for its sports portfolio.

CBS is a major sports broadcaster in the US. Its last significant rights deal came last month with college sports organisation the Big Ten Conference.

The Big Ten confirmed domestic rights deals with CBS and fellow network Fox, along with sports broadcaster ESPN. The deals will run for six years, from 2017-18 to 2022-23.

CBS renewed a rights deal for the conference’s basketball tournaments, while Fox and ESPN will show American football coverage. The rights deals will generate about $440m (€378m) per year for the Big Ten.