CBS will stream March Madness again this year- but unlike last year, when consumers who wanted to watch the games online had to pony up $19.99 to view the tournament, the streams of the games will be free thanks to several blue-chip advertisers such as Courtyard by Marriott and Dell, MediaPost reports (via MediaBuyerPlanner). Live games streamed online will include commercial breaks of the same length as those on TV.
When the tournament kicks off on March 16, CBS SportsLine.com will produce out-of-market games, or those games not being broadcast live via local television markets, to be streamed on NCAAsports.com.
CBS Digital President Larry Kramer compared the streamed event to AOL's Live 8. He believes there will be huge viewership and the ad revenue generated will easily exceed last year's subscription revenews.
