Bell Media launches CraveTV SVoD service
December 4, 2014
By Colin Mann
Canadian multimedia company Bell Media has unveiled its next-generation subscription on-demand video streaming service. Formerly given the working title ‘Project Latte’, Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media introduced Canada to CraveTV, which the company says costs about as much as a latte, offering premium television, for $4/month, bringing simplicity, ubiquity, accessibility, and premium content to Canadian TV lovers at an unbeatable value.
With a singular focus on delivering the best TV content of yesterday and today, CraveTV is designed to complement Canada’s current TV offerings as an additive service featuring exclusive, premium programming, all at an affordable price.
“We’re incredibly proud to launch a video streaming service dedicated to TV lovers who crave even more quality television, while enhancing the value TV providers deliver to their subscribers,” said Crull. “In a fast-paced media industry in which the consumer is king, CraveTV raises the bar and redefines the Canadian TV landscape by offering a complementary, premium product at an incredibly great value.”
“With TELUS, Bell, and Bell Aliant already on board, we are thrilled to partner with Eastlink, Northwestel, and other CCSA members who have recognized the value and potential CraveTV provides,” said Domenic Vivolo, Executive Vice-President, Content Sales and Distribution Marketing. “We look forward to welcoming additional distribution partners as CraveTV ramps up with even more incredible content in its first months of service.”
“Right out of the gate, CraveTV delivers an incredible offering of some of TV’s most-watched and most-loved shows, with more to come,” said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, Bell Media. “New content will be added every week on #iCraveFridays. What a way to start the weekend.”
With content from all key Hollywood major and independent studios, CraveTV features thousands of hours of programming not found anywhere else. At launch, nearly 65 per cent of the entire CraveTV catalogue is exclusive to the service, with more exclusive titles to be added regularly.
CraveTV delivers to subscribers access to the service on the platform of their choice, including on their traditional on-demand service via their set-top box. In addition, CraveTV will be available at launch on iOS, including Airplay, as well as Android handsets and tablets via the CraveTV app, and online at CraveTV.ca. CraveTV will be available early next year on the Xbox gaming consoles, Windows 8, Windows Phone, Samsung Smart TVs, and Chromecast.
With an objective of getting CraveTV into as many Canadian homes as possible, Bell Media has offered the service to all TV providers. Previously, Bell Media announced distribution partnerships for CraveTV with TELUS Optik TV, Bell Fibe TV, Bell Aliant FibreOP TV, and Bell Satellite TV at launch. Bell Media confirmed that Eastlink is the latest distribution partner for CraveTV and will make the service available at launch, while Northwestel and other Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) members will also provide the service soon.