Endlessly Entertaining. Bell Media Expands Crave to Offer More Leading Content in One Powerful Service
MWN-AI** Summary
Bell Media has announced a transformative expansion of its flagship streaming service, Crave, scheduled to launch by the end of 2025. This development marks a significant milestone for the Canadian media giant, as it combines an extensive array of content under a single subscription for the first time. The new Crave platform will provide over 40,000 hours of content, adding more than 10,000 hours to its existing library.
Subscribers will gain direct access to popular programming from HBO, Max Originals, Crave Originals, and content from CTV and Noovo, along with select sports programming and enriched offerings for children. Additionally, subscribers can register for a free account to access ad-supported content from CTV and Noovo, greatly expanding the viewing options available.
The forthcoming updates focus on enhancing user experience through improved personalization, recommendation features, and multi-language capabilities. Bell Media aims to maintain its commitment to delivering high-quality storytelling and user satisfaction, with over four million subscribers already on board.
Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media, emphasized the company's dedication to broadening entertainment, news, and sports offerings, while Kevin Cluett, SVP of Distribution, highlighted the platform's user-friendly design improvements. The exhaustive content library will feature beloved franchises such as the DC Universe and popular shows like "Letterkenny" and "Canada's Drag Race."
Further details regarding subscription packages, pricing, and additional features are expected in the coming months. Bell Media, a subsidiary of BCE Inc., continues to solidify its position as a leader in the Canadian media landscape, committed to keeping viewers engaged with diverse and innovative content offerings.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Bell Media's recent expansion of its Crave streaming service represents a notable strategic pivot that could have significant implications for its market positioning and profitability in the increasingly competitive streaming landscape. The launch, slated for late 2025, aims to consolidate premium content from various Bell Media properties, offering over 40,000 hours of entertainment, which includes HBO, Max Originals, and a robust selection of children’s programming.
Investors should carefully consider the potential strengths of this expanded offering. Firstly, the increase in content library size by over 30% could enhance customer retention by appealing to diverse viewer preferences. By integrating news and sports content, Crave is positioning itself as a one-stop entertainment platform, potentially attracting subscribers who currently balance multiple streaming services.
Additionally, the plan to incorporate an ad-supported free tier could serve two purposes: expanding market reach and providing crucial revenue streams during economic downturns. With cost-sensitive viewers gravitating towards free options, Bell Media's strategy to offer free content through CTV and Noovo will likely attract a larger audience, converting some to pay for premium services later.
On the flip side, investors should remain cautious about inherent risks, including the operational complexities of integrating diverse content types under one umbrella. The success of Crave’s evolution will hinge on user experience—Bell Media must ensure seamless access across its offerings while maintaining a competitive edge against major players like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
In conclusion, the expansion of Crave has the potential to enhance Bell Media’s competitive positioning and profitability. For investors, monitoring subscriber growth, content performance, and user engagement metrics post-launch will be crucial in assessing the long-term viability of this strategic move.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Canada NewsWire
- For the first time ever, CTV, Noovo, content from Bell Media's extensive entertainment portfolio, news, select sports, and larger kids collection become available directly through a Crave subscription –
- Expansion adds 10,000+ hours of new content to Crave's current library of 30,000 hours –
- The enhanced Crave platform, which will feature numerous improvements to user experience, is scheduled to launch by the end of 2025 -
Key Tags: @TheLede_CA , @Crave_PR , @CraveCanada
TORONTO , June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Bell Media, Canada's leading media and entertainment company, today announced a game-changing evolution of its flagship streaming service, Crave. Slated to launch by the end of 2025, the newly enhanced Crave platform is set to offer unprecedented access to Bell Media's vast library of English and French-language content. All accessible within a single subscription, Crave's content portfolio will grow by more than 30%.
At launch, a subscription to the enhanced Crave service gives Canadian viewers wide-ranging choice and convenience, providing direct-to-consumer access to HBO and Max Originals, Crave Originals, CTV, Noovo, news, select sporting events, a deeper collection of programming for kids, and content from Bell Media's suite of entertainment specialty channels including USA Network, and Canal D. The expanded platform will also offer the option to register through a free account, providing ad-supported access to content from CTV, CTV 2, and Noovo including CTV Movies and CTV Throwback.
"Bell Media continues to charge forward with investment in Crave, dramatically broadening content available across entertainment, news, and sports" said Sean Cohan , President of Bell Media. "Our focus is unwavering: to deliver the best storytelling, enhanced discoverability, and an enjoyable user experience to our over 4 million subscribers."
"Crave's evolution reflects our commitment to putting customers first," added Kevin Cluett , SVP, Distribution, Out of Home, Direct to Consumer, and Product Platforms, Bell Media. "By integrating enhanced user features, and with the most sought-after content, we're making it easier than ever for audiences to discover and enjoy their favourite entertainment."
The enhanced Crave platform is set to feature numerous improvements to the user experience and interface, including improved personalization and recommendation features, multi-language capabilities, advertising experience, and enhanced Connected TV design, while providing subscribers with access to:
- CTV, CTV 2, and Noovo: Including national and local newscasts from CTV News and Noovo Info, plus select sporting events.
- Expanded Entertainment Choices : Content from Bell Media's vast entertainment specialty portfolio, including USA Network, Oxygen True Crime, and Canal Vie.
- Extensive Free Catalogue: A vast catalog of movies and shows, including CTV Movies and CTV Throwback, previously only available on CTV.ca and Noovo.ca.
- The Best Content: Crave's premium slate of programming in both English and French, including HBO and Max Originals, the DC Universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , blockbuster movies, and an ever-growing slate of Crave Originals such as CANADA'S DRAG RACE, EMPATHIE, LETTERKENNY, OD TENTATIONS AU SOLEIL, SHORESY, SO LONG MARIANNE, VIE$ DE RÊVE and BILLIONAIRE MURDERS.
- A Wide Selection of Kids Content: A deep catalogue of popular kids programming, including a wide selection from Nickelodeon.
- Content through TV provider : Customers who subscribe to CTV and Noovo through a television provider can access the enhanced platform by authenticating their accounts. They will continue to enjoy their existing subscribed content, as well as have access to free content from CTV, CTV 2, and Noovo, including CTV Movies and CTV Throwback.
Additional details, including packages, supporting platforms, pricing, and launch date to be announced in the coming months.
About Bell Media
Bell Media is Canada's leading media and entertainment company with a portfolio of assets in premium video, audio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. This includes Canada's most-watched television network, CTV; the largest Canadian-owned video streamer, Crave, with a premium add-on to include STARZ; a powerful suite of specialty channels; the most-trusted news brand, CTV News; Canada's cross-platform sports leaders, TSN and RDS; leading out-of-home advertising network, Astral; Québec's fast-growing conventional French-language network, Noovo; the country's leading radio and podcast app, iHeartRadio Canada ; and a range of award-winning original productions, brands, and services. As a content leader and partner in Sphere Media, Sphere Abacus, Montréal's Grande Studios, and Dome Productions, one of North America's leading production facilities providers, Bell Media is committed to keeping Canadians entertained and informed.
Bell Media also offers best-in-class technology, marketing, and analytics support through Bell Marketing Platform, an omnichannel self-serve platform which includes Bell Audience Manager, Strategic Audience Management (SAM), and Bell Attribution Insights, in addition to advanced advertising solutions, including Live Connected TV and ads on Crave. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. 1 Learn more at BellMedia.ca .
1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections. |
For more information, please contact:
Mary Costa , mary.costa@bellmedia.ca
Nicolle Stranges , nicolle.stranges@bellmedia.ca
SOURCE Bell Media
FAQ**
How does Bell Media's expansion of Crave to include over 10,000 hours of new content impact BCE Inc. (BCE:CC) revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year?
What specific enhancements to user experience and interface are planned for the Crave platform that might influence subscriber retention and growth, particularly for BCE Inc. (BCE:CC)?
With the integration of CTV and Noovo content, how does Bell Media plan to differentiate Crave from competing streaming platforms, and what implications does this have for BCE Inc. (BCE:CC)?
What strategies will Bell Media employ to promote the newly enhanced Crave service in order to boost subscriber numbers, and how might this affect BCE Inc. (BCE:CC) stock performance?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about BCE Inc. (TSXC: BCE:CC).
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