CBS, Amazon score Extant streaming agreement

CBS and Amazon have replicated the deal they struck for Under the Dome and made upcoming summer season sci-fi series Extant available to stream just days after its linear broadcast.

Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service will launch episodes of the Halle Berry-fronted scripted series four days after they launch on the Eye network.

The companies struck a similar accord for the first and second seasons of Stephen King adaptation Under the Dome, with CBS Leslie Moonves revealing Amazon’s investments had been to keeping production costs manageable.

Traditionally, the broadcast networks have not invested heavily in originals for the summer season but ratings smash Dome has significantly challenged that wisdom. Dome’s first season was also the most watched TV show on Instant Prime last year.

The Extant deal will allow Prime Instant subscribers in the US to access the show just days after they debut on CBS on a range of connected devices. The first episode launches in June.

Extant comes from CBS Television Studios and Amblin Television and follows Berry as an astronaut returning from a year in space who tries to reconnect with her family. Her experiences ultimately change the course of history.

CBS Television Distribution sells the show domestically and CBS Studios International shops it on the international market.

Look out for an exclusive interview with Extant creator Mickey Fisher and showrunner Greg Walker in the December/January issue of TBI magazine