Just in time for the puck-drop on TV playoff hockey, communications giant Rogers has launched a subscription-based mobile app that offers live streaming of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts.

The Rogers Live Mobile app works on Rogers Wireless smartphones and is available via iTunes, Google Play and BlackBerry App World.

The product was launched earlier this week, to coincide with the start of round one of the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The subscription price starts at $5 a month for unlimited viewing up to the end of October (well after the playoffs end, but right before the start of the next NHL season). Then, the $5 rate gets a subscriber five hours of streaming, with each additional hour costing $1 per hour.

Kaili Lupp, a Rogers media representative, confirms the app streams only CBC-broadcast games.

The CBC shares coverage of the NHL regular and post-season with CTV-owned rival TSN.

She says the app nevertheless streams four “popular” playoff series, including all Canadian team games.

The Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks are in round one of the playoffs.

She explains the app also allows viewing of live streams of matches by the Blue Jays, the Raptors and Rogers-owned Sportsnet coverage of sports such as the UFC and the UEFA Champions League soccer.

This product launch represents an expansion of mobile app-based streaming services by Rogers, as its Citytv network had already launched mobile apps for viewing its news and marquee daytime and primetime shows, such as Breakfast Television Toronto, which are offered for free, however.

From Playback Daily