CBS, Weigel plan nostalgia net

CBS and Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting are linking up to roll out a new channel that will air more than 100 classic TV shows and a one-hour original talkshow.

Decades will offer TV series including Happy Days, Cheers and Star Trek from the CBS library and has also commissioned Decades Retrospectical, which will explore the cultural significance of certain episodes.

The channel will be available via local stations’ digital subchannels and on as-yet unspecified local cable networks from the beginning of 2015. It will join channels such as TV Land and Cozi TV, which offer access to similar types of programming.

Weigel previously worked with MGM Studios to form ThisTV, which offered a variety of the latter’s B movies and it was also involved in the creation of Me-TV in 2011.

Peter Dunn, president of CBS Television Stations, said Decades would be the “most ambitious and creative subchannel programming service that has ever been created.”

CBS became the first US network to launch a standalone streaming option for viewers last week, just days after cabler HBO announced it was planning a web TV service.

CBS All Access will boast more than 6,500 episodes available to stream on computers, smartphones and tablets.