CBS launches controversial Big Brother Mobile

Last week CBS announced plans to launch more Web and mobile initiatives for its "Big Brother" franchise, which include streaming episodes to CBS's Web site the day after they air on the network as well as a mobile subscription package that includes video clips, photos, breaking-news alerts and insider summaries. The mobile platform also includes "special film footage," which I take to mean exclusive content but it's not specified. RealNetworks is also renewing its contract with the network to provide live 24-hour streaming of video from the "Big Brother" house via four live video feeds.

Australia's Communications Minister said the country's federal government would expand its powers to regulate media on the Internet and mobile platforms following an obscene incident of alleged sexual assault that occurred on the "Big Brother" set that CBS streamed unedited to its RealNetworks' subscribers. "This matter has reinforced the need for changes to the act to ensure that these new services being offered over the Internet and mobile devices are subject to the same content restrictions that apply to television broadcasts," Communications Minister Helen Coonan said.

For more on CBS' Big Brother Mobile launch:
- check out this MediaPost article
- and take a look at this article The Age