(Image courtesy of Bell Media)
By Andrew Tracy
Bell Media has launched the updated and expanded version of its Crave streaming platform, including a 30% increase in content, access to live programming and select free catalogue offerings, as well as a new user interface.
The revamp, which was first announced at Bell Media’s upfront in June, adds more than 10,000 hours of English- and French-language programming to the streamer.
Live programming from Bell Media’s CTV and Noovo channels makes up a prominent part of the expanded offering. A spokesperson for Bell Media told Playback Daily that while live programming was previously available for the Crave, HBO and Super Écran linear channels, this will be the first time that viewers can access live content from the company’s major broadcast networks.
The newly available live content includes local and national news; select sports events, including CFL games, the PGA Tour, Formula One races and FIFA international soccer events; and major entertainment events, including the Oscars and the Emmys.
As per the June announcement, the expanded content offering also includes a deeper catalogue of kids programming, notably featuring a wide selection of Nickelodeon shows.
In addition, a large catalogue of free programming that was previously only available on the CTV and Noovo websites and streaming apps can now be accessed through Crave without need of a subscription. Users can sign in to the platform with a Bell Media account for ad-supported access to the latest episodes of current CTV and Noovo shows, as well as a library of older films and series.
The platform has also received a refreshed brand identity and user experience, which includes a Top 10 list; improvements to personalization recommendations and language preference features; an enhanced advertising experience for the platform’s Crave Standard with Ads tier; and a redesigned connected TV interface.
The Crave expansion continues Bell Media’s strategy to increase the platform’s visibility and accessibility, which also includes bundle deals with Disney+ and Netflix as well as its own TSN and RDS sports offerings. Parent company BCE reported earlier this month that Crave had grown to 4.3 million subscribers as of October. It also eliminated 40 positions at Bell Media last week.
This article originally appeared in Playback.
With files from Sherry Noik
