The ArtLab

In the competition between the broadcast networks, it's difficult for one site to distinguish itself from the others. The networks share their main features in common: each program gets its own page, with some video (with a good chunk of it available in higher quality), a forum for the fans to discuss the show, and basic info about the series.

How well does CBS.com cover some of those basics, and how do they differentiate themselves from the others?

First, there's the important matter of how much content is available. CBS of course has pages for all its currently running shows, and several specials that have appeared on the network, but they also have 14 classics. All series have at least some videos, and many shows, including virtually all the primetime ones, are available in either "HQ" or "HD" format.

For a handful of its currently running primetime series, only the two most recent full episodes are available. About a third of them have a significant number of videos (the reality shows even have several full seasons), along with a few daytime shows and Letterman, and all of the classics have full seasons available.

Unlike many other TV-based websites, CBS mostly shies away from providing trinkets for the fans such as themed wallpaper, buddy icons and games. (An exception is mobile content, which keeps viewers' minds on the show when they're not at a computer.) CBS's focus is on delivering the video and allowing the fans to socialize about what they're watching.

So while they provide a forum for each show, they set themselves apart by also providing an opportunity for fans to interact as they watch the show. In the Social Viewing Room, you can watch recent episodes that each come with a chat room of sorts, bringing the water cooler aspect to fans far and wide.

The viewing room has it all. You can choose your own viewing room and invite your friends via email, IM or even Facebook and MySpace. You can chat individually, or leave comments for the whole room. You can even use little "props" or simulate "laughing". And then, for some shows, there's a quiz question every couple minutes, testing your attention to detail and memory (and it keeps score).

CBS's reality shows offer the most chances for fan interaction: among a couple of extra features, rather than just watching and chatting, you can also watch and vote, generally just offering your opinion about various aspects of the show.

Tying the rest of the site together for users, CBS also features its own social network, the CBS Community, which allows viewers and their friends to keep track of their favorites, how they rated videos they've watched, and their forum posts.

And lastly, another way CBS encourages fan interaction is by linking each show's page to its entry on TV.com, which CBS runs. There you'll find more in-depth treatment of each show by its enthusiasts - including series on other networks.

Add it all up, and CBS has clearly endeavored to avoid clutter and draw an interactive audience. It's an intriguing plan, and in a time when viewers want content to be flexible around their increasingly networked lives, it might just be the future of TV.