f the marketing blitz around Katie Couric's high profile America tour wasn't enough coverage, CBS (www.cbs.com) is back in the news. It became the first network to be simulcast live on the Internet with CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. The move is obviously aimed at arresting declining TV-audience ratings and grab younger, net-savvy viewers. CBS is going to offer the new show free and ad-supported on CBSNews.com beginning September 5, when Couric debuts. For the record, Katie Couric joined CBS in a high profile move earlier this year, from NBC's Today's show. To access the show, viewers will first have to register online. In addition, the broadcast may be viewed as an on-demand programme any time after the live simulcast, or as individual stories from The CBS Evening News.

Rival network NBC had previously done a similar deal for The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams on the Internet. But the show isn't available in real-time, it is available well past the broadcast time. ... more