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Bell Media Launches CraveTV Streaming Service

166K views 552 replies 105 participants last post by  Dr.Dave 
#1 · (Edited)
Bell Media announced today it will soon launch a new video streaming service devoted exclusively to the best content on television. From the company with more than a decade of leadership delivering Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed television programming across the Pay, Specialty, and Network TV landscapes, the on-demand subscription service, currently code-named "Project Latte", will feature thousands of hours of content representing TV's top premium brands including, it was confirmed today, HBO. With content from all key Hollywood major and independent studios, "Project Latte" does not duplicate existing services, but instead features additive and exclusive programming.

Now available to every TV provider in Canada, "Project Latte" is designed to enhance the value of the subscription television ecosystem. "Project Latte" will therefore be made available to all TV subscribers in the country, pending agreements with participating TV providers, on their traditional set-top box, as well as via mobile apps, the web, and other platforms including game consoles and Smart TVs. Additional details will be announced in the weeks to come.

"We built Project Latte as a complementary service that will delight and amaze viewers with thousands of hours of premium entertainment available on-demand and on the device of their choice," said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. "Project Latte addresses a significant gap in the Canadian TV system and allows TV providers to greatly enhance the value they provide to their clients. We are incredibly excited about the potential for this product and how it fits into our overall portfolio of Canada's best television brands and programs."

"If you like TV, you will love Project Latte's program lineup," said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, Bell Media. "Our singular focus on TV series, along with our established studio relationships in Hollywood and beyond, means we are uniquely positioned and hyper-focused on delivering the best TV programs to the most-devoted TV lovers. While our extensive HBO deal is a game-changer and instantly makes us a viewer favourite, HBO content comprises only 10% of our planned inventory at launch. Stay tuned as Project Latte's complete lineup is revealed in the weeks to come."

HBO is the first of many world-class content partners announced for "Project Latte", which, further to Bell Media's previously announced agreement, will be the Canadian home of the entire off-air library of HBO's iconic programming catalogue. As confirmed today, "Project Latte" will feature the entire HBO scripted library, featuring some of the most-celebrated television programming of all time. In addition to THE SOPRANOS and SEX AND THE CITY, additional Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning HBO classic series to be available on "Project Latte" include SIX FEET UNDER, BAND OF BROTHERS, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, BIG LOVE, ENTOURAGE, OZ, IN TREATMENT, HUNG, ROME, and DEADWOOD, among others. "Project Latte" will also feature creator David Simon's newly re-mastered version of THE WIRE, which will be presented in HD for the first time.

"Project Latte" will also showcase the complete HBO Films catalogue of nearly 100 titles that have been the recipients of countless Academy®, Golden Globe, Peabody, and Emmy Awards, as well as the Palme d'Or and other film festival accolades. Among the selections are ELEPHANT, AMERICAN SPLENDOUR, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, GAME CHANGE, TEMPLE GRANDIN, CONSPIRACY, THE GATHERING STORM, THE NORMAL HEART, and GREY GARDENS.

As well, "Project Latte" is the home to more than 150 titles from the HBO Documentaries library, including Academy Award-nominated 4 LITTLE GIRLS, the Emmy and Peabody award-winning WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE: A REQUIEM IN FOUR ACTS, SIX BY SONDHEIM, and the recent festival favourite SEDUCED AND ABANDONED.

Finally, "Project Latte" will exclusively feature HBO's lineup of close to 160 iconic stand-up comedy specials featuring some of the biggest names in comedy of all time, including George Carlin, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Maher, Dennis Miller, Louis C.K., Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, and more.

About "Project Latte"
Created for TV lovers and devoted exclusively to television, "Project Latte" is Canada's premium subscription on-demand service, providing the most robust lineup of hit television content in the country. From TV's most-acclaimed dramas and beloved comedies to documentaries, music, and factual programming, "Project Latte" will feature more than 10,000 hours of non-kids TV programming, with more than 350 unique TV titles. Designed to complement traditional television, the video service gives viewers the ability to watch thousands of hours of hit past and present TV series. Available to all TV providers, "Project Latte" will be delivered via set-top box, apps, online, and other platforms. "Project Latte" is from Bell Media, Canada's premier multi-media company.
Press Release.

EDIT: Here's the official launch announcement for CraveTV: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=2357225
FAQs: www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=2363673
 
#3 ·
At the rate this is going, we'll need another website that lets you search a show and have it tell you which streaming service it's on.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. If this and shomi have current shows and don't require a TV subscription, getting both of them and ditching TV would be pretty attractive.
 
#5 ·
... If this and shomi have current shows and don't require a TV subscription ...
The way I am reading this, its sounds like it is "offered to all TV providers in Canada to enhance viewing", meaning you have to be a subscriber to cable/sat to get it. If that is the question is will you have to subscribe to the channel that the content comes from. For example, if you want to watch the HBO content, will you have to be a HBO subscriber through your TV provider. If that is the case, I see no value in this service.

The value, however, may be that they describe the service as complimentary. Does this mean that you will get programming that is not available currently on TV? For example an HBO show that is not on HBO Canada?

Unfortunately, it seems the release lacks details and was probably issued to make people think twice before committing to shomi (rumoured to launch next week).
 
#6 ·
When is a package going to show up for all these streaming services?

For example, if I subscribe to Latte, Vice, Shomi, NetFlix, Hulu, Youtube Plus, and the dozen other content services launched in the last 2 minutes, will it save me $5 in a bundle, or actually now cost more then my current cable/satellite bill?
 
#8 · (Edited)
The service will be free to TV subscribers who have programming like HBO in their TV package.
I do not think that anyone will be able to access this service without TV subscription

Actually after reading it again it looks that we will have to wait few more weeks to see if it will cost extra and if it will be available as a standalone service.
 
#9 ·
Right, so the plan is to use the money garnered from their lock on the TV business to buy exclusives to keep them out of the hands of new competitors, while trying to get people to still have TV.

Yeah, that sounds more like the Canadian media oligopoly I love to hate.
 
#10 ·
TELUS, Bell Canada, and Bell Aliant First to Sign on to Deliver "Project Latte"

Canada’s premium streaming service to be available to TELUS Optik TV, Bell Fibe TV, Bell Aliant FibreOP TV, and Bell Satellite TV subscribers at launch

Bell Media announced today it has reached distribution deals with TELUS, Bell Canada, and Bell Aliant to deliver its new video streaming service, code-named “Project Latte”. With an objective of making Canada’s premium subscription on-demand video service available to all TV subscribers, Bell Media last week announced that “Project Latte” would be made available to every TV provider in the country.

“Project Latte” will feature thousands of hours of superior content from TV’s top brands, including HBO’s entire off-air library. As confirmed today, the service will be offered coast to coast to coast at launch through TELUS Optik TV, Bell Fibe TV, and Bell Aliant FibreOP TV set-top boxes, as well as via mobile apps, the web, game consoles, and smart TVs. Pricing and packaging details for all providers will be announced when the service launches in the near future.

“With the first of Canada’s major television providers signed on, representing approximately 3.5 million customers across the country, we are well on our way to delivering on our objective of serving every TV subscriber in Canada with Project Latte,” said Kevin Crull, President Bell Media. “We look forward to announcing even more partners as we move closer to the launch of what is to become Canada’s premium streaming service.”

“Project Latte will offer TELUS Optik TV customers expanded, compelling content choices directly from their set-top box,” said David Fuller, TELUS President of Consumer and Small Business Solutions. “The service complements our existing TV and movie offerings by adding thousands of hours of premium on-demand content across multiple screens. We are very excited to be one of the first distributors of this strong new service. It will further expand the choices available to TELUS customers and allow them to relive some of their favourite TV shows, and also to discover and devour great new content.”

“With access to the most popular and powerful drama, comedy, documentary and other TV shows of the present and past, including the vast HBO library, Project Latte is an innovative and content-rich streaming service that will offer Bell TV customers amazing entertainment value,” said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility and Residential Services and Bell's Chief Brand Officer.

Last week, Bell Media announced a new video streaming service devoted exclusively to the best content on television, code-named “Project Latte”. The service will feature thousands of hours of content representing TV’s top premium brands, including the entire off-air library of HBO’s iconic programming catalogue. Additional details about “Project Latte” - including its final name - will be announced in the weeks to come.
Press Release.
 
#11 ·
I just find it suspicious that Bell Media just happens to make a deal with Bell Aliant,Bell SAT/Fibe & Telus?

First Bell buys and owns Bell Aliant then suddenly this is announced?

Second I could see Bell Media making a deal with Bell SAT & Fibe since all 3 are own by BCE?

Third Telus just happens to sell Bell Sat out west and they make this deal on launch?

Yeah right :rolleyes:
 
#12 ·
There's nothing suspicious about it. Since Bell owns "Project Latte", it makes sense that all Bell TV divisions would offer it. For all intents and purposes, Bell Aliant is now just another division of Bell, so there are really 2 customers: Bell and Telus.

Satellite is a very small part of Telus' business. Telus Optik TV uses Mediaroom which is the same platform that Bell Fibe and Aliant use, so that makes them a likely partner.
 
#14 ·
And Now for Something Completely Different: Bell Media Secures Exclusive Rights to Monty Python Collection for “Project Latte”

Bell Media announced today its new video streaming service is the exclusive home to the world’s most influential absurdist comedy troupe of all time, Monty Python. The announcement is the first of several curated collections announced for Bell Media’s new subscription video on-demand product, currently code-named “Project Latte” (nudge, nudge; wink, wink), and scheduled to launch soon.

The exclusive deal with Eagle Rock Entertainment includes every single episode of MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS (1969-1974), dead parrots and all. Adding up to more than 25 additional hours of Monty Python programming, the collection also includes all associated documentaries, specials, and more, including live performances and sketch highlights, as well as additional undisclosed fan-favourite content that will live only in the curated Monty Python collection on the service.

“Project Latte” will also feature the just-released and big-buzz Monty Python Live (mostly) - One Down Five to Go, documenting the group’s first live performances in three decades this summer at London’s O2 Arena. The announcement comes as Python co-founder John Cleese releases his acclaimed memoir So, Anyway… from Doubleday Canada.

The Monty Python Collection on "Project Latte" also features:
  • Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (1972) – Python's two one-hour specials for German TV.
  • Monty Python: Live at the Hollywood Bowl – The 1982 concert film directed by Terry Hughes.
  • Monty Python Live at Aspen – The one-hour reunion special from the 1998 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.
  • Parrot Sketch Not Included: 20 Years of Monty Python ­­– Hosted by Steve Martin, the 90-minute 1989 special in honour of the 20th anniversary of FLYING CIRCUS.
  • Before The Flying Circus (2000) ­­- The one-hour documentary about the Pythons' formative years as apprentice writers and performers.
  • Monty Python's Personal Best (2006) – Six, one-hour specials each dedicated to a Python and representing their favourite work.
  • Monty Python Conquers America – The 2008 one-hour documentary in which American writers and comedians recount how Python influenced their careers.
  • Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut) – The six-part, 2009 TV documentary series that retells the entire Python phenomenon start to finish.
  • The Meaning of Monty Python: The Meaning of Life in 2013 – Featuring new sketches, a one-hour special honouring the 30th anniversary of the release of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.
  • Additional Easter egg content curated especially for Python fans.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm not sure if this is related to this topic, but got this in my e-mail from Bell

Love TV?
Then you're going to love this.
If you love watching TV, you're going to love what's coming to Fibe™ TV: the best library of TV shows and series available. It features best-in-class content from around the world including, for the first time in Canada, access to HBO's classic library of shows such as The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Entourage.
Watch for more updates on this exciting new service coming soon to Fibe TV.

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Privacy | Visit bell.ca | Find a store
See for more details.

Corporate Secretary’s Office of Bell Canada,
Bell Satellite TV (Bell ExpressVu), Bell Mobility, Bell Media and Bell Aliant.
1 carrefour Alexander-Graham-Bell, Building A-7,
Verdun, Québec, H3E 3B3

Copyright © 2014. Bell Canada. All Rights Reserved.

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#17 ·
It's funny how Bell is playing up the "the vast HBO library." The off air programming is mostly quite dated, standard definition material and less popular programming. There won't be much that is less than 5 to 10 years old. The Sopranos is an important asset that HBO stopped airing not that long ago. A lot of recent, popular HBO programming is still being aired occasionally. I'm not sure about the exclusive aspect of the service. I've got to wonder if it runs counter to net neutrality or competition guidelines. It is good to see some of this stuff available for streaming.
 
#21 ·
Bell Media Secures SEINFELD Deal for “Project Latte” as Comedy Slate Revealed

Bell Media announced today a landmark deal with Sony Pictures Television for the Canadian exclusive subscription streaming rights for the seminal sitcom SEINFELD, making its upcoming subscription video on demand product, code-named “Project Latte,” the only streaming service to offer the series to its subscribers. The announcement was made as Bell Media revealed its premium comedy lineup for “Project Latte,” representing additional content deals from BBC Worldwide, CBS Studios International, Viacom (Comedy Central), Eagle Rock Entertainment, HBO, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros. International Television.

From sitcoms to Britcoms and stand-up in between, “Project Latte” is home to more than 225 hit comedy titles representing more than 2,500 episodes. In total, premium comedy programming will comprise nearly 25% of the entire “Project Latte” catalogue which, it was confirmed today, will also feature the expansive Comedy Central vault of past-season and library hits.

Comedy on “Project Latte”:

SEINFELD
Bell Media has secured the exclusive subscription streaming rights for every single episode of the TV sitcom that defined a generation, SEINFELD. Named by TV Guide as the greatest television program of all time, SEINFELD ran for nine seasons from 1989 until 1998, when nearly 80 million people watched its series’ finale. All 180 episodes will be available exclusively in Canada on “Project Latte.” SEINFELD is a Shapiro/West production in association with Castle Rock Entertainment. SEINFELD is distributed by Sony Pictures Television.

Classic Sitcoms
Curated exclusively for “Project Latte” are some of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, including the entire 275-episode catalogue of CHEERS, nominated for 117 Emmy Awards® over its 11-season run. Canada’s premium comedy destination will also exclusively feature all 264 episodes of CHEERS spin-off FRASIER, one of the most-successful spin-off series and critically acclaimed comedies of all time. Additionally, “Project Latte” exclusively delivers every single episode of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND and the most-watched Canadian comedy series of all time, CORNER GAS, along with the soon-to-be-released CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE.

Current Comedies
It’s the biggest show currently on TV and it’s only on “Project Latte.” Canadians can go back to the beginning to rekindle their love affair with THE BIG BANG THEORY, while “Project Latte” will also exclusively feature past seasons of additional current comedies including THE GOLDBERGS, THE MILLERS, SPUN OUT, and ultimately the complete 100-episode catalogue of Charlie Sheen’s ANGER MANAGEMENT.

The Best of Comedy Central
Comedy Central’s vast and diverse comedy catalogue exclusively comes alive on “Project Latte,” including both past-season and library content. Featured are past-season episodes of Comedy Central hits KEY & PEELE, BROAD CITY, TOSH.0, KROLL SHOW, INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, NATHAN FOR YOU, UGLY AMERICANS, and DRUNK HISTORY. From the Comedy Central library comes every season of RENO 911, THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM, CRANK YANKERS, WORKAHOLICS, and STRANGERS WITH CANDY. Additionally available exclusively on demand is the collection of infamous COMEDY CENTRAL ROASTS - skewering the likes of Charlie Sheen, David Hasselhoff, Donald Trump, James Franco, Joan Rivers, William Shatner, Bob Saget, and more.

Acclaimed HBO Comedy
“Project Latte” is the Canadian home of the entire off-air library of HBO’s iconic programming catalogue, including its award-winning collection of brilliant comedies. In addition to all eight seasons of beloved cult favourite CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, also featured are HBO titles ENTOURAGE, SEX AND THE CITY, THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, ANGRY BOYS, BORED TO DEATH, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS, LITTLE BRITAIN USA, and MR. SHOW.

The Monty Python Collection
“Project Latte” is the exclusive home to the revolutionary Monty Python library. In addition to every single episode of MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS, the service also exclusively presents a collection of Monty Python documentaries, specials, and more, including the brand new Monty Python Live (mostly) - One Down Five To Go documentary from this summer’s reunion at London’s O2 Arena.

Britcoms
“Project Latte” is also home to Basil Fawlty and every episode of the BBC’s FAWLTY TOWERS, named by the British Film Institute as the “best British television series of all time.” “Project Latte” also features all five seasons of the BBC’s ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, as well as seven additional AB FAB specials, including the three “20th anniversary” specials (2011-2012).

Pop Culture Hits
Named by 60 MINUTES and Vanity Fair as one of the Top 10 sitcoms of all time it’s the only television program to receive 22 Emmy Award nominations in a single year, and it’s coming to “Project Latte” – fan-favourite and critical darling 30 ROCK. The service is also home to fellow pop culture hits COMMUNITY and WEEDS.

The World’s Best Stand-Up Comedians
The service will also offer more than 150 hours of stand-up comedy, featuring titles from both Comedy Central and HBO, including some of the biggest names in comedy today and yesterday. Among the featured comedians are Zack Galifianakis, Louis C.K., Lewis Black, Patton Oswalt, John Oliver, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Shawn Majumder, Chelsea Handler, Kevin Hart, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Maher, Harland Williams, Dennis Miller, Sarah Silverman, Margaret Cho, and more.

Full Press Release.
 
#22 ·
Sounds like they're a bit "latte" to the streaming game.
Definitely not, especially in Canada. Google and Amazon are fairly recent entrants to the streaming market. One could argue that they are late to "the streaming game", especially in the US. Streaming services succeed or fail on differentiation and content. The right service with the right content could easily dominate the existing Canadian marketplace. Bell's acquisition of HBO content for Latte is a major step in that direction.
 
#23 ·
If I was cynical about this industry ;) , I might think that these "exclusive" deals are nothing more than a way to delay wide-spread adoption of all video streaming services in general. The benefits to the consumer are lost when they have to subscribe to 4 or 5 services to get the product they want. There should be an anti-competitive rule against this.
 
#26 ·
"all video streaming services in general" have exclusive deals, including the American ones that aren't associated with a traditional TV service provider. Here's my post in the shomi thread:
From the point of view of Amazon or Netflix or Bell or shomi, it's just good business to provide something that no one else can. That's why they all pay more for an exclusive deal.
 
#27 ·
Dr. Dave:
"From the point of view of Amazon or Netflix or Bell or shomi, it's just good business.. "

Yes, that is the point. Instead of these few large media distribution companies competing on service, it is a race to buy up and restrict then content. Those businesses with the deepest pockets win, making the content more expensive for consumers. Good for business profits, not so good for consumers.
 
#28 ·
I agree with Dr. Dave on this point. If you want these services, you have to understand that the only way you are going to get them is if someone has a chance to profit. No one is going to set these up just for you because they like the colour of your eyes.

It seems many forget that innovation is brought about by the opportunity to make a profit.

Too many people seem to feel that only the big can get bigger. Yes, in the regulated regime under the thumb of the CRTC, that is likely true. However, in the free market, the big get slow and unimaginative and eventually succumb to the newer and faster. Think IBM vs. Microsoft (younger people may have to ask an old guy like me or do some research :) )

We are in the infancy of consumer mainstream video streaming. It will be a while before we determine who will dominate. The only way to ensure that the existing providers are the ones who dominate is to ask the government to get involved and start regulating things.
 
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