Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

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
 
#143 ·
With Canada’s premium TV streaming service CraveTV now live, Bell Media announced today it has entered into a licensing agreement with The Disney/ABC Television Group that will make CraveTV the exclusive SVOD home in Canada for the hit TV series MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. The #1 new television series of 2013/14, Season 1 of the blockbuster hit drama will immediately be available today in the Superhero, Action & Adventure collection on CraveTV. New episodes of the series will also become available following the completion of each subsequent season. MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is the latest premium TV series confirmed for CraveTV, which is now available on set-top box, apps, and CraveTV.ca for just $4/month.

Full Press Release.
 
#144 ·
The selection of content looks pretty decent, especially the HBO back catalog. Is everything in HD & 5.1?

I'd sign up, but I imagine the bell receiver option is garbage and the lack of console support is disappointing. Then again it makes the price of the movie central package a lot more palatable.
 
#145 ·
I pay 85 bucks a month to get 230 channels of which I maybe watch 20.
You are lucky. We pay over $100/mo for over 300 channels and only watch about a dozen of them. Practically every channel we watch is a premium add-on so the basic service is a total waste of money. Something like CraveTV without a BDU subscription would cause a exodus of subscribers and Bell knows it. I'm looking for something like Hulu+ or a standalone HBO subscription in Canada but we will not see it from Bell. They are too addicted to massive revenue streams from Canadians.
 
#146 ·
I certainly would like to subscribe to this service, since Eastlink will be carrying it, but sadly, not for their set top boxes yet. It is only available as an Android or iOS app for now.

I prefer to watch TV on the big screen of an HDTV, rather than the small screen of a phone or tablet.

Another requirement before I subscribe is that content must be in HD.
 
#148 ·
• What channel is CraveTV on my Bell, Telus, or Bell Aliant set top box?
* Bell Fibe TV: Press the On Demand button on your remote or go to channel 310/1310
* Telus: Press the On Demand button on your remote or go to channel 411
* Bell Aliant: Press the On Demand button on your remote or go to channel 523
Just to confirm is this available on regular Bell TV 9241 PVRs?
 
#149 ·
>If you are a subscriber of The Movie Network or Movie Central with Bell TV, CraveTV is >already included with your TV package, at no additional cost. Simply use your online >username and password to sign in.

Curious as to why this is free with a Bell TMN package but not with Telus? I assume it is because Bell owns Crave? Thus Telus has to pay so we have to pay?
 
#152 ·
CraveTV available now for Bell Fibe TV and Bell Aliant FibreOP TV subscribers

Canada's newest subscription on-demand video streaming service – Bell Media's CraveTV – is now available to Bell Fibe TV and Bell Aliant FibreOP TV subscribers across multiple viewing platforms.

All Bell and Bell Aliant subscribers with The Movie Network (TMN) can immediately access CraveTV at no additional cost. Offering the largest collection of premium content in one place – more than 10,000 hours of TV programming within its first year, with more than 350 unique TV titles at launch – CraveTV can be added to any Bell TV or Bell Aliant TV package for just $4 per month.

CraveTV can be accessed by Bell Fibe TV subscribers on channel 1310 and by Bell Aliant FibreOP TV customers on channel 523 on their set-top boxes. Available online and on smartphones and tablets to all Bell TV and Bell Aliant TV subscribers, CraveTV will also be offered on select Bell Satellite TV set-top boxes in early 2015.

Full Press Release

I've bolded 2 important sentences.
 
#157 · (Edited)
Canada's newest subscription on-demand video streaming service – Bell Media's CraveTV – is now available to Bell Fibe TV and Bell Aliant FibreOP TV subscribers across multiple viewing platforms.

All Bell and Bell Aliant subscribers with The Movie Network (TMN) can immediately access CraveTV at no additional cost. Offering the largest collection of premium content in one place – more than 10,000 hours of TV programming within its first year, with more than 350 unique TV titles at launch – CraveTV can be added to any Bell TV or Bell Aliant TV package for just $4 per month.

CraveTV can be accessed by Bell Fibe TV subscribers on channel 1310 and by Bell Aliant FibreOP TV customers on channel 523 on their set-top boxes. Available online and on smartphones and tablets to all Bell TV and Bell Aliant TV subscribers, CraveTV will also be offered on select Bell Satellite TV set-top boxes in early 2015.

Full Press Release

I've bolded 2 important sentences.
I have Bell Fibe TV and TMN. to access Crave TV I had to subscribe to it for $4 a month and the amount of $4 was applied to my account.
I could not access it without subscribing it first.
Could someone confirm that they are getting Crave TV at no additional cost with TMN so I can make necessary phone call to Bell tomorrow and ask them about the $4 charge to my account.
 
#153 ·
I don't think it is available for satellite customers on the 9241 pvr. I have the movie package and I just logged in using "mybell" account. For whatever reason, it did not work with chrome but did with IE. I will play with that later.
If you have fibe, it will be easy to use. I have to go through my computer so I hope they have a app for roku or sony tv. I see samsung will be supported but I have sony.
The selection looks decent, not much but better quality compared to "never heard of it" netflix collection. The bonus for me is the HBO collection, I will do 6 feet under first.
 
#155 ·
CraveTV now available to Eastlink customers on computer, tablet or Smartphone

Today, all Eastlink Digital TV customers now have access to even more of their favourite TV shows, series and sports on their computer, tablet or Smartphone with the addition of CraveTV, CTV GO and TSN GO Apps.

More details about CraveTV:

  • Available today on PC, Tablet or Smartphone
  • Simple to use and access – Download the CraveTV™ app select Eastlink and use your Eastlink To Go username and password to watch on your PC or Smart phone
  • Full Seasons and full series of the most loved and celebrated shows ever featuring HBO classics, the best sitcoms and current hit series for you to discover and enjoy right from the beginning.
  • All you can watch for $4/month
  • Available Soon on:
    • Eastlink OnDemand
    • Eastlink To Go
    • CraveTV App on Smart TVs
    • CraveTV App on Game Console
Full Press Release.
 
#161 ·
ONT. Bell Fibe with TMN and yes I have access to the shows. I have browsed a few series and am delighted that all provided Closed Captioning. I also liked the fact that Twin Peaks is being broadcast in it's (I assume) 4x3 with bars so we don't see stretched characters :)
 
#164 ·
After playing with it a bit: Picture quality could be better, but it's decent enough. Appears to adapt as you go though, so when I first started watching something, it looked terrible, and then improved after a few seconds. It does have the feature that you can start watching on one device and resume on another, and it does keep track of what you've started watching or recently watched. There are parental settings, but those are pretty much the only settings available -- there are no captions, no descriptive video, no anything else. I don't have a 5.1 setup, so I don't know if it has that.
 
#169 · (Edited)
Well, I called Bell today asking them why $4 was applied to my account when Crave TV should be free since I subscribe to TMN.
Their answer was that on the system I do not have subscription to TMN on my account so I said that it is not true and they should check my last bill. After doing that $4 charge for Crave TV was removed from my account.
This is great news as I never expected Crave TV to be free with TMN subscription.
 
#170 ·
lol. the funny part of all this is i always thought i had the movie network but turns out with Telus its Movie Central. Thot movie central was same as Movie Network.

Just curious why the content available thru the cable box is only about 5% of what is available online. The cynic in my says they want you to use Crave TV online so you can rack up some overcharge Data. But so far Telus do not charge for overage so no worries yet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top