Today marks the launch of Bell Media’s subscription TV streaming service CraveTV – which had been previously known under its code name, “Project Late.”
The service will be priced at $4/a month (the price of a latte… get it?) and will compete against the libraries of Netflix Canada and the recently launched Rogers/Shaw Media’s Shomi, which are both priced at $8.99.
For those wondering why classic series The Sopranos and Sex and the City weren’t among the offerings provided by the complete HBO library available on the HBO GO app and on demand services, that’s because Bell had snatched up these rights for their new streaming service, along with Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage and Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways.
Other comedies available (if not during launch but in the next few weeks) are libraries of Seinfeld, The Big Bang Theory, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Cheers, Frasier and Corner Gas. Dramas available include Arrow, The Flash (in 2015), Orphan Black, Masters of Sex, Nurse Jackie, Rescue Me, Weeds, Person of Interest, Homeland, The Following, Graceland, The Fall, The Last Ship, Utopia, Saving Hope, Motive, 19-2, Flashpoint, Degrassi, Dallas (2012-2014), Doctor Who and the entire Star Trek television collection.
In a neat PR move, CraveTV has put a bunch of people in a bunker near Bell Media HQ in Toronto to watch 91 hours of television programming for a Guinness World Record.
At launch, TV lovers can sign up to watch CraveTV online at CraveTV.ca, the CraveTV app on iOS (including Airplay to Apple TV), Android devices. In early 2015, it will be available on Xbox gaming consoles, Windows 8, Windows Phone, Samsung Smart TVs and Chromecast. Bell Media has also announced distribution partnerships with Bell Fibe TV, Bell Aliant Fibre OP TV, Bell Satellite TV and TELUS Optik TV.
